10 Tips for Writing an Introduction to a Research Paper
After selecting an award-winning topic for your research paper, the next thing you do is develop an effective abstract. Afterward, you go straight to the introduction of your subject. The introduction is a critical aspect of your piece. If you miss out on that, you risk readers losing interest in the paper. Therefore, you should have a catchy and robust introduction to convince readers that you know what you are about and attract their attention.
Purpose of introduction
The introduction of your research paper should
- Introduce your research topic, and give a background to it.
- Present an overview of the subject while keeping the reader interesting to continue reading.
- The introduction also tells readers the expected
Now below is a guide to writing an excellent introduction
Start broadly and narrow down
When introducing your topic, first describe it in the broader perspective before narrowing it down to the aspect you want to focus on. Doing this gives your research a wider reach and broader audience than just focusing primarily on the basics from the start.
State the relevance of the research
A research paper attracts attention only when it is relevant to the field of study. In your introduction, state clearly what the research seeks to achieve and its importance to academia, industry, or social life. This grabs the attention of readers and makes them interested in the topic.
Cite as needed
Using other people’s work is inevitable when writing a research paper. Using a custom college paper writing service to figure out how to do it in a proper way is sometimes necessary, too. The literature and sources you use should be referenced appropriately to give your work the credibility it deserves.
Avoid giving many citations for a point
Even though it is important to cite your sources, limit the number of citations you give to the points you make. Although some points may require long referencing, it would be best to cite only the most relevant sources.
Clearly state your hypothesis or research question
If your research field is in empirical sciences, stating your hypothesis can help you frame your research. If your research is in the formal sciences or is exploratory, using the research question is advisable.
Short and concise
Your introduction shouldn’t be very long and bulky. Instead, keep it short and concise, between 500 and 1000 words. You may also have to follow the guidelines given by your tutor.
Tell why the topic is important
Many students fail to tell their audience the need for the research they are undertaking. Don’t just state that your research is necessary; instead, give reasons for it. Instead of “developing new components is critical for the automotive industry,” you can put it like “developing new components is important for the automotive industry to create stronger, and lighter vehicles that will enhance peoples safety and fuel economy.”
Conclusion
The introduction of your paper should always be given the highest level of attention and care. As an opening to your paper, you are bound to pay dearly if you mess it up. Therefore, plan and execute it well by including the research statement, aim, and research question.