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There are many ways to introduce an academic essay or short paper. Most academic writers, however, appear to do one or more of the following in their introductions:

establish the context, background and/or importance of the topic

present an issue, problem, or controversy in the field of study

define the topic and/or key terms used in the paper

state the purpose of the essay or short paper

provide an overview of the coverage and/or structure of the writing

Slightly less complex introductions may simply inform the reader: what the topic is, why it is important, and how the writing is organised. In very short assignments, it is not uncommon for a writer to commence simply by stating the purpose of their writing.

Introductions to research dissertations and theses tend to be relatively short compared to the other sections of the text but quite complex in terms of their functional elements. Some of the more common elements include:

establishing the context, background and/or importance of the topic

giving a brief review of the relevant academic literature

identifying a problem, controversy or a knowledge gap in the field of study

stating the aim(s) of the research and the research questions or hypotheses

providing a synopsis of the research design and method(s)

explaining the significance or value of the study

defining certain key terms

providing an overview of the dissertation or report structure

Examples of phrases which are commonly employed to realise these functions can be seen by clicking on the headings listed below. Note that there may be a certain amount of overlap between some of the categories under which the phrases are listed. Also, the order in which the different categories of phrases are shown reflects a typical order but this is far from fixed or rigid, and not all the elements are present in all introductions.

A number of analysts have identified common patterns in the introductions of research articles. One of the best known patterns is the CARS model (create a research space) first described by John Swales (1990). This model, which utilises an ecological metaphor, has, in its simplest form, three elements or moves:

Establishing the territory (establishing importance of the topic, reviewing previous work)

Identifying a niche (indicating a gap in knowledge)

Occupying the niche (listing purpose of new research, listing questions, stating the value of the work, indicating the structure of the writing)

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There are many ways to introduce an academic essay or short paper.

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Using English for Academic Purposes: Information and Advice for Students in Higher Education

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Reflection of Independent Study, Semester Two