This document provides guidance on writing an effective introduction section. It outlines 10 key functions an introduction may serve and the typical length for each in sentences. These include providing background information, stating the accepted state of the art and identified problem, the author's objectives and contributions, and an outline of the overall structure. The document also discusses beginning the introduction with questions, using the present, present perfect, simple past and future tenses, and assessing the quality of the introduction based on clarity of the research question, use as a roadmap, conciseness, and correct tense usage.

1. Chapter 13
Introduction
What key skills are needed when writing an introduction?
- Background Knowledge (to appreciate findings as advancement).
- Same things in a different way.
- Tools for understanding the study (meaning, and motivation).
- Plan to develop the topic.
- Roadmap [line of argument (how to support a statement)].
- Deep knowledge of the topic and decide important issues.
How show I structure the introduction?
- What is the problem?
- Are there any existing solutions (i.e., in the literature)?
- Which solution is the best?
- What is the main limitation? (i.e., What gap am I hoping to fill?)
- What do I hope to achieve?
- Have I achieved what I set out to do?
How should I begin my introduction? (Not necessarily in this sequence) (length varies: by
discipline, by paper).
- Enough background information:
o For understanding the reason of the questions (context)
o Reasons for: Hypotheses, predictions, and results
o Preview

2. Function Length in sentences
1.- Definition of the topic plus background. 1-3
- May be necessary (Definition phrase).
- Notations (graphic symbols).
- Technical explanations.
- Explanations of key words.
Second sentence:
- Familiar information
- Suggest importance
- How to extent knowledge
- Set the context for following information
- Importance of the specific study instead
of the general area.
2.- Accepted state of the art plus problem 2-4
to be resolved. - Gap to fill.
- What the problem is.
- Why the problem was selected.
- Why the claim of the importance.
3.- Author’s objectives. 1-2
- How to fill out the gap.
- Parts 6 and 7 could be incorporated here.
- Transition into the literature review.
4.- Introduction to the literature. 1- many pages
- Introduction to background literature.
- Motivation for the research.
- Insufficient knowledge.
5.- Survey of pertinent literature. 1- many pages
- Review of the literature.
- Attention to the unsolved problem.
- Specific purposes of the study
6.- Author’s contribution. 1-2
- How and what the contribution is.
7.- Aim of the present work. 1-2
- Goal of the study.
- What method was used.
*8.- Main results/conclusions. 1-4
- Results in context
9.- Future implications. 1-2
- Implications, importance.
*10.- Outline of structure. 3-4
- Outline of the structure of the study.
Note. *No relevant for this class.

3. Are there any other ways of beginning an introduction?
- By using questions.
What tenses should I use?
Present, present perfect, simple past, and future.
Summary: How can I assess the quality of the introduction?
- Is my research question clear
- Does my introduction act as a clear road map for understanding my paper?
- Have I mentioned only what readers specifically need to know and what I will
subsequently refer in the discussion?
- Have I been as concise as possible?
- Have I used the tenses correctly?