The introduction of a scientific paper is the first step in persuading readers
to invest their time and intellectual energy in your work.
Its purpose is singular yet crucial: to convince your audience that they should read your paper. To achieve this, your introduction must do two key things:
Demonstrate that you have identified an important, unresolved scientific question that is worth their attention.
Prime the reader to expect a compelling answer to that question, enticing them to continue reading.
Keep It Concise
The introduction should be as short as it is impactful.
Imagine encountering a paper with a lengthy, twelve-paragraph introduction. How many paragraphs would you read before skipping ahead to the results section? For most readers, the answer is likely three or four at best. This is a critical reminder:
Readers are impatient!
The introduction is not the place for an exhaustive literature review. Save the deep dives into prior research for later sections, when your results have already captured the reader's attention. Instead, focus on making your introduction short, sharp, and compelling. It needs to:
Highlight the significance of the problem.
Convince readers to care about it.
Assure them that your paper will address the issue effectively.
Structure: Think Inverted Pyramid
Your high school English teacher was onto something when they described the introduction as an inverted pyramid: broad at the top, narrowing to specific details. This structure guides your reader seamlessly from the general context to the particular focus of your work.
Start Broad: Context and Importance: Begin with a sweeping statement that places your work in a wide and interesting context.
o The goal here is to emphasize the broad relevance of your research area.
o For example: Chimps and humans share a remarkable evolutionary history, making them both fascinating and important subjects in primate biology.
o This opening establishes a baseline understanding while hinting at the broader significance of your study.
Narrow Down: The Open Question: In the next paragraph, zoom in on the specific question or problem your paper addresses.
o This is your opportunity to showcase the gap in knowledge you are aiming to fill.
o For instance: Despite extensive study, the precise taxonomic relationship between chimps and humans remains contentious, with debate centering on whether they belong to the same family.
o By identifying the unresolved question, you create intrigue and highlight the importance of your work.
Zoom In: What You Have Done: Finally, describe what you have done to address the question.
o This paragraph should be brief and factual, previewing your approach without giving away the conclusions.
o For example: Here, we present novel phylogenetic data that offer new insights into the evolutionary relationship between humans and chimps.
o This is your hook - the promise that motivates the reader to dive into the details of your study.
Avoid Spoilers
Resist the temptation to reveal your conclusions in the introduction.
Think of your introduction as the opening chapter of a novel - it should entice, not summarize. Just as novelists don’t spoil their climaxes on the first page, you shouldn’t give away your findings upfront. Instead, use the introduction to lead readers to expect an engaging and rewarding journey through your paper.
Rick’s Commentary
A great introduction is concise, engaging, and structured like an inverted pyramid.
Start broad to place your work in context.
Narrow down to the specific question your study addresses.
End by hinting at your methods and approach.
By mastering this structure, you’ll set the stage for a paper that compels your audience to read, reflect, and remember your work.
Your introduction is the hook that draws readers in - make it count.
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