The introduction of a research paper is one of the most important components of your paper. This section allows you to grab the reader’s attention and give them background information on your topic. An effective introduction accomplishes multiple goals: it introduces the topic, provides context and background information, presents the problem/issue being addressed in the paper, states the purpose and goals of the research, and provides an overview or thesis statement of your argument.
When writing a research paper introduction, it is important to capture the reader’s attention right away. Some ways to do this include starting with an interesting fact, statistic, anecdote, or question related to your topic. For example, if you were writing a paper on cyberbullying, you could start with a shocking statistic about how many teens have experienced online harassment. Beginning with something unexpected or attention-grabbing helps engage the reader from the very first sentence.
After capturing their attention, you’ll then want to provide context and background information on your topic in 1-2 paragraphs. Discuss the basic aspects, history, definitions or concepts related to the subject. This helps orient the reader by explaining the necessary terminology and basics so they understand the framework of your research. For a cyberbullying paper, you may explain what cyberbullying is, common forms it takes online, and its potential harmful effects.
In the next paragraph or two, introduce the specific problem or issue your paper will address. Use concrete evidence and details to fully explain the scope and significance of the problem. Why is this an important issue that needs further exploration? For cyberbullying, you could discuss prevalence rates among teens, its emotional and psychological impacts, and deficiencies in current anti-bullying programs or legislation.
After establishing the context and problem, state the purpose of your research. Articulate your specific research question(s) and/or hypotheses. What are you hoping to learn or determine through your study? Why is this question important to explore? For a cyberbullying paper, you may want to research whether current laws effectively deter online harassment or how social media sites can better protect young users. Make it clear that your research aims to fill gaps, resolve contradictions, or contribute new knowledge to the topic.
Finally, provide an overview or thesis statement of the main argument or findings of your paper in the conclusion paragraph. Preview the structure and flow of your paper. For cyberbullying, you could state that the rest of your paper will examine existing research on the subject, review relevant laws and their effectiveness, analyze social media site policies, and propose recommendations for improving protection of teens online based on your findings.
An effective introduction leaves the reader informed about the topic, issue being examined, purpose and goals of the research, as well as intrigued to learn more through reading the rest of the paper. While succinct, it lays the necessary groundwork for the reader to fully understand and engage with the content to come. With practice, writing a well-structured introduction that accomplishes all these goals will become easier. A strong opening is key to setting your research paper up for success from the very beginning.