A) Look at the table below and do the following tasks:
1) Say which actions in “Purpose” section are obligatory and which of them are optional.
2) Consider whether you can add anything to the common structure of an introduction.
3) What other problems can you face while writing an introduction?
| Purpose
|
| Establishing research territory:
1) By showing that the general research area is problematic, important, interesting.
2) By introducing and reviewing items of previous research in the area.
|
| Establishing a niche:
1) By indicating a gap in the previous research, raising a question about it, or extending previous knowledge.
2) By mentioning the most important points and developments in the area, and indicating on whose shoulders you are standing.
|
| Occupying the niche:
1) By indicating the purposes or nature of present research.
2) By showing principle findings.
3) By indicating the structure of your article, unless the organization is very standard.
|
| Structure
|
- Background statement: provides the context for understanding the problem and approach.
|
- Problem statement: describes the nature, scope, severity, or importance of the problem that stimulated the research.
|
- Activity statement: indicates the research question, hypothesis, approach, or activities undertaken to investigate the problem.
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- Forecasting statement: tells readers what they will find if they continue to read.
|
| Problems with Introductions
|
- Weak background and problem statements
- Many authors assume readers will know:
a)what problem was studied
b)why the problem is important
|
