Dissertations: writing an introduction
Writing an introduction
You will write the final version of your introduction last. You may have early drafts, but you can't write the final version of the introduction until you know where have got to.
These bullet points suggest points you might decide to include in your introduction - pick n’mix, not all.
- establishing the context, background and/or importance of the topic
- giving a brief synopsis of the relevant literature
- indicating a problem, controversy or a gap in the field of study
- establishing the desirability of the research
- listing the research questions or hypotheses
- providing a synopsis of the research method(s)
- explaining the significance or value of the study
- defining certain key terms
- provide an overview of the dissertation structure
- explaining reasons for the writer's personal interest in the topic
You may also like to follow the link to Manchester University's 'phrasebank' - a useful resource for the language to use when you write up your research.
