Essay Introductions

How to Write a Research Introduction

The introduction to a research paper can be the most challenging part of the paper to write. Introductions are generally half a page in length, though they can run longer if the topic requires additional information. They usually begin with supporting statements, and end with a description of your hypothesis. They offer a theoretical context to a paper, allowing readers to understand the reasoning behind your work. Well-written introductions set the tone for the paper, catch the reader's interest, and communicate the hypothesis or thesis statement.

Steps

Begin the opening paragraph with a few sentences containing supporting information about your topic. Give the reader an idea of what issue you will be discussing, such as, "Just a few years ago, the term "virtual reference" had little meaning to many librarians." Immediately opening with your main argument can be too abrupt.
• For a scientific research paper, you can begin with a discussion of the significance of your study, and then lead into the rationale behind your experimental model and how it met your objectives.
• A Humanities based paper is best suited by the "funnel" or "inverted pyramid" technique. To use this approach, start with some general background information on your subject, becoming more narrow and specific in focus as you work toward a description of your hypothesis.
Place the thesis statement or hypothesis in the final sentence of your introduction's first paragraph. An example of such a closing sentence is, "A librarian can add the warmth and personal touch to an online interaction that an automated search engine cannot." You may need to write multiple sentences to explain your thesis.
• You want to make the objective of your paper clear in the first paragraph, because while an introduction can run several paragraphs in length, it will confuse readers if you introduce your topic in subsequent paragraphs.
Continue your introduction by acquainting your audience with the major points of your paper, and your objectives and results in a scientific paper, in the order they will appear. This lets the reader know what to expect.
Consider other "starters" for your introduction if your initial approach doesn't fit well with your topic.
• Anecdotes, quotations, recent debates, or timely news stories can also be compelling ways to begin a research paper.
• You can also introduce certain topics by comparing or contrasting 2 people, events, or ideas.
Evaluate your writing. Read your introduction, and then read your conclusion. Make sure there is a fluid transition between them.

Never use personal pronouns in your introduction, such as "I," "me," "we," "us," "my," "mine," or "our." Don't make pronouncements, such as "I am going to explain why global warming is destroying animal habitats." This is a hallmark of an inexperienced writer.

• Don't overwhelm the reader with an overabundance of information. Keep the introduction as concise as possible by saving specific details for the body of your paper.
• Avoid emotional or sensational introductions; these can create distrust in the reader.
  

Sample Scientific Research Introduction

Throughout the 20th century, our views of life on other planets has drastically changed. It was once thought to be an impossibility, as all we had seen of space showed us a barren landscape unfit for anything we would recognize as life. But, in the 21st century, our telescopes continue to discover planets in what we deem “habitable zones,” the small bands in solar systems in which a planet’s temperature is ideal to support life. Planets such as the newly discovered Planet KOI 172.02 may hold the key to discovering life outside of Earth.

Sample Research Introduction for Humanities

Dedicated scholars have been studying language and culture in parallel ever since the connection between the two was first established. Recently, though, new studies have emerged to provide data on the little-known subsections of language and culture: speakers of blended languages, often referred to as pidgin English or Spanglish. These communities are often fluent in their native language and partially fluent in another, which means they are generally able to function normally within their own communities speaking only a combination of the two.

The Dreaded Introductory Paragraph

Writing the introductory paragraph can be a frustrating and slow process -- but it doesn't have to be.  If you planned your paper out, then most of the introductory paragraph is already written.  Now you just need a beginning and an end.

Beginning Sentence(s)		Here's your chance to introduce your topic and grab your reader's attention.  NEVER start your paper saying, "In this paper, I will" or "This paper is about." Start strong.  In your research, have you come across an odd factoid or interesting quote? Try starting your paper with that.  How about starting with an anecdotal story or humor?
Middle Sentences		Usually, the middle sentences cover the points in your paper.  Since you've already planned which order to write the points, you already know which order to place them in your introductory paragraph.  You don't have to include every single point, but make sure the important ones get in there.
Ending Sentence		All the previous sentences have been building up to this: your thesis. Your thesis statement expresses the overall idea of your paper and show where you stand on the topic.  Indiana University has a great tutorial for writing thesis statements.

Example

Here's an introductory paragraph for a paper I wrote.  I started the paper with a factoid, then presented each main point of my paper and then ended with my thesis statement.