Lecture 4: RITING THE INTRODUCTION 1. General Obiectives: What the introduction may do For academic writing, the Introduction may do any or more of the followin Give an overview of what the paper will be about Introduce the question/questions you will be answeri Give reasons for writing the paper Give reasons for answering a question/questions in a certain way Give the background to the question/questions you are answering Relate the question/questions to other similar papers Present the central thesis or finding of the paper
1 Lecture 4: WRITING THE INTRODUCTION 1. General Objectives: What the introduction may do For academic writing, the Introduction may do any or more of the following: • Give an overview of what the paper will be about • Introduce the question/questions you will be answering • Give reasons for writing the paper • Give reasons for answering a question/questions in a certain way • Give the background to the question/questions you are answering • Relate the question/questions to other similar papers • Present the central thesis or finding of the paper
2. The Introduction in a Scientific Paper The Introduction is the part of the paper that provides the readers with the background information for the research reported in the paper. Its purpose is to establish the framework for the research. so that readers can understand how it is related to other research The Introduction represents, in summary, the writers thinking about the problem in conceptual form Arising from the research problem, a particular research question or questions are identified. The writer also provides the past literature and references that form the background for these questions. The answering of these questions constitutes the objective of this research The Introduction normally includes at least the followin parts (a)Derivation and statement of the problem and discussion of the nature of the probler m (b) Discussion of the background of the problem (c) Derivation and statement of the research question/questions or objectives of the research
2 2. The Introduction in a Scientific Paper The Introduction is the part of the paper that provides the readers with the background information for the research reported in the paper. Its purpose is to establish the framework for the research, so that readers can understand how it is related to other research. The Introduction represents, in summary, the writer’s thinking about the problem in conceptual form. Arising from the research problem, a particular research question or questions are identified. The writer also provides the past literature and references that form the background for these questions. The answering of these questions constitutes the objective of this research. The Introduction normally includes at least the following parts: (a)Derivation and statement of the problem and discussion of the nature of the problem (b) Discussion of the background of the problem (c) Derivation and statement of the research question/questions or objectives of the research
We now discuss examples of Introduction taken from various disciplines and journals Writing the title The title states the subject of the paper. Its function is to identify and describe the contents of the paper accurately and specifically. This is of great importance because the title may be decisive in helping the readers decision to read it. Therefore, it is essential that the title be as accurate. informative. and as comprehensive as possible, yet as short as possible While brevity is essential, titles must also be comprehensive enough for ready retrieval of the paper they should also include as many of the most important elements of the paper as ible Citing the references Research scientists should cite the source for anything that is not original with them, if it contributed to the research or the paper Such sources are usually printed sources from published literature, but they may be manuscripts, letters, information from web-sites, data-bases. or even conversations
3 We now discuss examples of Introduction taken from various disciplines and journals Writing the Title The title states the subject of the paper. Its function is to identify and describe the contents of the paper accurately and specifically. This is of great importance because the title may be decisive in helping the reader’s decision to read it. Therefore, it is essential that the title be as accurate, informative, and as comprehensive as possible, yet as short as possible. While brevity is essential, titles must also be comprehensive enough for ready retrieval of the paper. They should also include as many of the most important elements of the paper as possible Citing the References Research scientists should cite the source for anything that is not original with them, if it contributed to the research or the paper. Such sources are usually printed sources from published literature, but they may be manuscripts, letters, information from web-sites, data-bases, or even conversations
The assigning of credit is necessary for ethical, legal and scientific reasons. If the material borrowed is not cited. it stitutes plagiarism and may even lead the borrower to legal action On the other hand. citing other scientists' contributions mean acknowledging or giving credit to their work
4 The assigning of credit is necessary for ethical, legal and scientific reasons. If the material borrowed is not cited, it constitutes plagiarism and may even lead the borrower to legal action. On the other hand, citing other scientists’ contributions mean acknowledging or giving credit to their work
