Introduction

How it is used

Many writers follow John Swales's CARS model: establish the territory, identify a niche (a gap) and occupy it by stating the aim. In articles the introduction usually ends with the research questions or an outline of the paper; many authors write it last.

Example sentences

1. Your introduction should make the research gap clear by the end of the second paragraph.

2. In the introduction, the authors briefly review earlier work on bilingual memory.

Common collocations

• write the introduction
• in the introduction
• introduction chapter
• the introduction sets out

Related terms

• IMRaDIntroduction, Methods, Results and Discussion: the standard four-part structure of empirical research articles, especially in the sciences.
• research gapA question, group, context or problem that existing studies have not yet addressed well, which a new study aims to fill.
• thesis statementA sentence, usually near the end of an essay's introduction, that states the main argument or position the writer will support.
• abstractA short summary at the start of an article, thesis or conference submission that states the aim, methods, main findings and conclusion.

More terms: Thesis and Article Structure

• thesis
• dissertation
• paper
• conclusion
• discussion
• draft
• limitation
• proofread
• methods section
• keyword
• appendix
• topic sentence