This is the Reason a Vague Introduction Kills Your Paper

Dear Student,

A paper without or with a vague introduction will spoil everything. If your introduction is weak, confusing, or vague, your readers will be confused, and those who have a choice will just not read it.

Therefore, you must create the most impactful introduction to your paper. If you’re struggling, look at other papers in the same field as yours and get an idea of how the writers introduce their topics.

What to Include In an Introduction

Creating an impactful introduction may not be easy, but it’s not necessarily rocket science. Here are the most important elements identified by Microsoft.com that every introduction should have.

  • Topic overview: Begin with a general statement that resonates with your paper’s target readers. This could be a question, a controversial statement, or a fact many people don’t know.
  • Rationale for your paper: Give the reader an idea of the importance of your paper and why the topic needs to be addressed. You could indicate a gap in previous research or a problem that requires a solution so that your readers know why it’s important for them to read your paper.
  • Define the methodology: Provide the reader with an idea of the methods used to arrive at the conclusions you present in the paper. Also, clearly define the goal and questions you will address.
  • Thesis statement: Towards the end of the introduction, include a thesis statement. This statement is a sentence clearly articulating the argument you will be making in the paper.
  • An outline: This tells the reader what they can expect in the rest of the paper. In this roadmap, tell the reader how many chapters your paper will have and how these will follow each other.

Write the Introduction Last

One of the most compelling pieces of advice often given to students is that they must write the introduction last. This is because it’s easier to say what a paper is about when you know what it’s actually about.

By the time you finish writing the paper, you will better understand the topic or subject you’re writing about. So, you can clearly articulate its main points in your introduction.

Seek Help

It can be challenging to produce an effective introduction for a paper, even when you know what you are writing about. This is especially the case if English is not your first language.

This is why we have assembled a team of editors and proofread readers at Virtual English Teacher. They will look through your paper and ensure that the introduction lays a strong foundation that will jolt the reader’s interest.

Want proof of our effectiveness and efficiency? Ask for a free, no-obligation sample of your text.

Contact us today.