How to Write Introduction

Shainn-Wei Wang, Ph.D.NCKU, College of MedicineInstitute of Molecular Medicine

Writing & Story telling

Science: the beauty of mind-Complexity & Simplicity-Vision & Fact-Structure & Outline-Objective & Subjective- Passion & logic- Dream & Reality

Complexity and Confusionusually go side by side

Can’t get there from here…

Two things to keep in mindAbsolute clarity in scientific writing - Clearly stated problem & conclusion - Well ordered structure - little need for ornamentation Scientific responsibility - reproducibility

Before writing a paper, you should have in mind a provisional title and an outline of the paper that

you propose to write

Repeated Process & Modifications

Some experienced writers prepare their title and

abstract after the paper is written, even though by

placement these elements come first

A logic way to write

IntroductionMaterials & Methods

Data processing

Figures & Tables(one idea one graph)

Proposal Experimental design

Justified conclusion

Provisional title & outline of research

Introduction & Discussion

Outlines of your results

Experimental designExperimental

design

Results

Outlines of your discussions

Literature search & Reference

Discussion

1

2

3

4

6

1, 6

1, 4, 6,

1

7

Brain StormLoop 2

Abstract &Title

5

Loop 1

-A bad beginning makes a bad ending - Euripides- A good beginning arouses expectations that the body of the essay satisfies. - Both the writer and reader must have a sense that the starting point is a logical or natural one

The First Section:

Introduction

The purpose of the Introduction is:

- To provide Sufficient background info to allow the reader to understand and evaluate the result of present study- Rationale for the present study

Introduction is the explanation of “ the essential elements” of your research

Cut into the points

it "Defines" for the reader what the paper (or essay) is going to address; it "Divides" the topic of the paper into the parts to be "Discussed.".

A good introduction does two things at least:

Naturally, there are a great variety of ways to accomplish these two tasks. But the point is that a good introduction leaves readers with a good idea of what the paper is all about and how the writer intends to "attack" his topic

The hook to gain the reader’s attention

-Why did you choose that subject ? Why is it important ?

- Define (topic & key words) - Divide (outline main points) - Discuss (position in literature) - Drive Home (the overall design and general picture of your study)

The 4 D’s

-The nature and scope of the problem investigated-State briefly and clearly your purpose -Review the pertinent literature to orient the reader-State the principle or particular method of the investigation -State the principl result of the investigation-State the principle conclusion(s) suggested by the results-Written in the present tense

Suggestions

Citations & abbreviations

- should mention previous published work(s) if close related papers have been or are about to published elsewhere, you should say so in the Introduction, customarily at or toward the end- Other citation and abbreviation rules follow journal’s guide

Ways to start the first sentence

Begin with a definition or explanation of a term relevant to your paper

Begin with an interesting fact Begin with a question Begin with an acknowledgment of an opinion

opposite to the one you plan to take Begin with a quotation. Just make sure you explain

its relevance Begin with an analogy. Make sure it's original but

not too far-fetched Begin with irony or paradox Begin with a very short narrative or anecdote that

has a direct bearing on your paper If introductions give you trouble no matter when you

do them or how you begin, sometimes it helps to construct several mini-outlines just for that paragraph and try each out to see which works best.

Introductory paragraph

Body

Conclusion

Brainstorming - Fact - Idea

Outlines:Outlines:Outlines:

Before you write, always spend 15 to 30 minutes creating an

outline first.

What?

Where?

How? Why?

When?

Which?

Draft: Layout Define & Divide

Outlines

-The outline will help keep your paper organized and focused and cut down on the number of rough drafts you generate. 

- Use the following steps to construct your outline:

1.  Brainstorming:

- Once you have decided on a subject, brainstorm your ideas by writing down any facts, thoughts, insights you have in the brainstorming section of your outline

- In order to get started brainstorming, ask yourself questions. How does the topic affect the current theory or findings? Is it agree or against something you have learned in class?

- Effective brainstorming is to really logically think about the topic, considering as much as possible about it. 

2. Organizing & Specifying your

thoughts- Next, begin work on organizing

your introductory paragraph by answering the following questions:

- What is the research topic …- What is the definition of…- What is the problem related to...

3. Organizing introductory paragraph

- Organize your introductory paragraph by listing points to be made in each sentence. 

- Always begin with the most general, gradually getting more and more specific, until you make your very specific thesis statement

4. Organizing the body of your paper.

-Using your thesis statement, list categories for the paragraphs in the body of your paper

-Each category should specify the position (problems or goals) of your study relative to current literatures.

5. Plan your conclusion

- The conclusion reverses the order of the introduction, moving from a paraphrase of your thesis statement to more general statements summing up the points made in your paper

- Remember, the conclusion should remind the reader of the points that have been made in the paper, and the concluding sentence should grab the attention of not only your reviewer but a general audience.

Example

Begin with a definition or explanation of a term relevant to your paper

RNA Incorporation Is Critical for Retroviral Particle Integrity after Cell Membrane Assembly of Gag

Complexes

2nd paragraph:

Define more specific terms related to theResearch topic

3rd paragraph

Communicate with the literature about RNA packaging mutantsin the assembly and packaging process

4th paragraph

Specify the the role of RNA in packaging and assembly and the problem(s) involvedin the current research

5th paragraph

Conclusion:Drive home and give overall picture of the study

Example

1th paragraph

Nucleocapsid-RNA Interactions Are Essential to Structural Stabilitybut Not to Assembly of Retroviruses

2nd paragraph

3rd paragraph

4th paragraph

5th paragraph

6th paragraphconclusion

ExampleAnnexin 2: a Novel Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gag Binding Protein Involved in Replication in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

1st paragraph

2nd paragraph

小路

See you next time

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