How to write an Introduction(tutorial)

Dr Hafsa RaheelArmin

Oct 2013

Objectives of the session

• By the end of the session the students should be able to ;– Understand the structure of an introduction to a

manuscript\report

Structure of a manuscript/report

• Abstract• Introduction• Materials and methodology• Results• Discussion• Conclusion • Acknowledgement• References

Skeleton of an introduction

• Background – Importance of the topic– Global, regional and local data (magnitude)– Build up a convincing argument

• Objectives• Hypothesis • Rational

Frequently asked questions

1. How long should my introduction be?

One common mistake is to write anintroduction that is too long; the introductionis so detailed that it is indistinguishable fromthe body of the essay! As a rule, an introduction should not be longer than about8% (about 1/4th) of the length of the essay. For example,the introduction of a ten, fifteen, and twenty-page essay should be a maximum of about apage, a page and a quarter, and one and ahalf pages respectively.

Frequently asked questions

2. How detailed should the introductionbe?Another common mistake is that theintroduction is so detailed that it fails toindicate the topic of the paper in a clearway! The introduction only needs to statethe topic, general structure, and thesis of thepaper.

Frequently asked questions

3. Why am I finding it hard to write theintroduction?• Its absolutely normal to be worried as this

may be your first time• Language barrier• write at least a draft of the body and redefine

it later on

Frequently asked questions

4. What is an introduction for? Is it asummary?An introduction is not a summary. Asummary repeats the main ideas of anessay. An introduction introduces the readerto the topic of the essay, describes theorganizational structure of the essay, andexplains the point of the essay

Frequently asked questions

6. How many paragraphs should I usefor the introduction?Introductions vary in length according to your

purpose, writing style, the complexity of your topic, and the length of your essay

Frequently asked questions

7. how do I write the references?

• Vancouver reference styling is the preferred But its wise to refer to the author's

guidelines of the journal you intend to submit to

How to evaluate your introduction draft

• Ask a friend to read it and then tell you what he or she expects the paper will discuss

• If your friend is able to predict the rest of your paper accurately, you probably have a good introduction

Examples of introduction

Comments and discussion?

References

• The writing center. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/introductions/

• Visit York Centre for Academic Writing online resources at: http://www.arts.yorku.ca/caw/resources.html