Writing an Effective Introduction for a Research Paper

WHY DO WE NEED AN INTRODUCTION?

• The key aim of introduction is to explain the

necessity of your research, its urgency and

significance for your study and, finally, hook

readers to continue reading it!

 The introduction to a research paper can be the most challenging part of the paper to write.

 The length of the introduction will vary depending on the type of research paper you are writing.

 An introduction should announce your topic, provide context and a rationale for your work, before stating your research questions and hypothesis.

 Well-written introductions set the tone for the paper, catch the reader's interest, and communicate the hypothesis or thesis statement.

1^ST-2ND PARAGRAPH- GENERAL PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEM (INCLUDE THE GAP)

3^RD PARAGRAPH- LITERATURE REVIEW

4^TH PARAGRAPH- RELATED STUDIES

5^TH PARAGRAPH- RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

6^TH PARAGRAPH- THESIS STATEMENT &

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1^st Paragraph

Provide a short background about the GENERAL IDEA Example: Women Empowerment

Next, present a short background about the NARROWED IDEA Example: WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1

^ST-2ND

PARAGRAPH- GENERAL PRESENTATION

2^ND Paragraph

Provide a background of the PROBLEM/ISSUE about the topic.

Discuss the gap.

1

^ST-2ND

PARAGRAPH- GENERAL PRESENTATION

3^RD Paragraph

Provide a LITERATURE REVIEW.

3

^RD

PARAGRAPH- LITERATURE REVIEW

4^TH Paragraph

Provide at least THREE TO FIVE RELATED STUDIES you can find online.

Example:

One study from Reyes (2006) found out that…

Note: reflect the RESULTS not the BACKGROUND

4TH PARAGRAPH- RELATED STUDIES

5^TH Paragraph

-importance of the study

5TH PARAGRAPH- RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

6^TH Paragraph

-state your STAND, purpose and statement of the problem

Example:

Women should be given equal rights to hold a position in the local government. Therefore, this study aims to…

Specifically, this will answer the following questions:

6^TH PARAGRAPH- THESIS STATEMENT &

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

• Intro should be 7-10 pages only.

• Use Arial font

• Font size is 12.

• Follow double spacing

• Follow standard margin

1 inch left,right, top,bottom

Writing a thesis statement

You must indicate the highlights of your essay. A thesis statement is a point that you will have to defend.

Have it in 1-2 sentences only.