When writing a research paper, it is very important that you know how to write an appropriate introduction. This opening paragraph is your chance to explain to anyone reading the paper what your research involves and why you feel it is important. The introduction will not only introduce the topic of your research, but also summarise the key points you will discuss. It is because of this that many people actually choose to write their introduction last after completing the rest of their paper. It is because the introduction is such an important part of writing a research paper that we have gathered together some useful tips on how to write an introduction for a research paper.
What is Different About Writing an Introduction for a Research Paper?
First and foremost, it is important to understand that an appropriate introduction for a research paper is a little bit different than what you might write for another type of essay assignment. One of the main differences is the length. Instead of just a single paragraph, research paper introductions can often cover several paragraphs and are usually around a half page long. A good introduction for this kind of assignment should include some form of supporting statement describing your research topic and also a brief description of your hypothesis. This is your chance to set the tone for the rest of the paper and also to hook your readers’ attention and make them want to keep reading!
Introducing Your Topic & Stating Your Objectives
An effective way to begin your introduction is to open with a few sentences which will introduce and support your chosen research topic. Instead if jumping right in with your key argument you can instead offer some supporting information which will help give the reader some background knowledge of your topic. This can also help when it comes to explaining the rationale behind your area of research. You might want to highlight the importance of carrying out this research. Your introduction is the perfect place for you to give some context to the rest of your research paper.
It is important to state your objectives within this first paragraph. While your introduction as a whole is likely to cover multiple paragraphs, if you do not clear state your aims in the initial few lines then this can cause confusion in your readers as they try to figure out the purpose of your research. As a general rule of thumb, you should state your hypothesis in the closing lines of the very first paragraph.
Summarizing Your Key Points
Once you have stated your hypothesis and introduced the topic of your research, the next step is to summarize the key points that you will be making in the body of your research paper. Introduce each of the points that you will be discussing in the same order as they will appear in the body. You do not need to go into depth, just offer a brief outline of each of the points. Often students prefer to write this part of the introduction after completing the body of the essay in order to make sure they do not miss any of the points. This section of your introduction serves to let readers know what to expect as they read on.
Restating The Hypothesis
While you should have already introduced your hypothesis near the beginning of the introduction, it is only logical that you should end on the hypothesis too. This means that you are going to have to restate it which is a great way to reinforce the aim of your research paper. A word of caution, don’t simply repeat what you have already written – you will need to reword it or summarize it. Ultimately your goal is that readers finish reading the introduction with a clear picture of what your research paper aims to achieve.
What to Avoid When Writing a Research Paper Introduction
There are a number of things that students must avoid at all costs when it comes time for them to write the introduction for a research paper. Some of these are outlined below:
- Your introduction should not contain any personal pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘My’, ‘We’ or ‘Us’ and so on. Your introduction, and indeed the rest of the research paper should have a formal tone and be written in the third person.
- Do not risk your credibility by including emotional or sensational claims. In a research paper you will presenting only fact and any deviation from this will prompt distrust from your readers.
- Try not to bombard the reader with information. Your introduction should be concise. The specifics should be saved for the body of your research paper. This means that the introduction should only offer a brief overview and not an overwhelming amount of information.
In conclusion, writing a great introduction can be the most challenging aspect of producing a research paper. A good introduction will act as a lede to encourage people to continue reading. This is your chance to set the scene and give your paper some context. The introduction is a very important part of any research paper and it is one which deserves your attention.