Introductions and conclusions

Writing Development Centre

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Dr Helen Webster

On behalf of the Writing Development Centre

Robinson Library

Dissertation Deli:

Introductions and

Conclusions

For enquiries about workshops, please email [email protected]


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Slides are online:

You can find these slides online at

Slideshare:

http://www.slideshare.net/WDCNewcastle

http://www.slideshare.net/WDCNewcastle


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The function of the introduction

Your

introduction is

the (set) menu

(not a la carte!)


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The Introduction:

Your reader’s perspective

What are you doing?

Why are you doing this?

How will you do this?

Mar

ch 5

, 20

15


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1/ What are you doing?

Demonstrate to the reader that you a clearly thought through

research project.

• Define terms (if this is straightforward)

• Demonstrate that you are aware of any context –

historical, scholarly, etc.

• Expand on and rephrase the question to unpack the

meaning (topic, aim, hypothesis, research question)

• Explain any limitations you have set (e.g. number of

examples or case studies used, timeframe, etc)

• Is there anything else the reader will need

explaining, or wants to be reassured that YOU know,

to follow your argument?

Mar

ch 5

, 20

15


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Reformulating the task

Don’t just restate your title with empty

phrases:

The role of PPD (Personal and Professional

Development) in Clinical Psychology

‘This dissertation will explain the development and discuss

the role of PPD (Personal and Professional Development) in

Clinical Psychology. It will also evaluate its application in

relation to trainee clinical psychologists in the UK’.


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Reformulating the task

‘In this dissertation I shall briefly outline the definition of PPD, its possible roles in clinical psychology, and will discuss benefits and costs of engaging with PPD. I will argue that effectiveness of PPD is reliant upon two key factors: the internal capacity of the practitioner, and the political context in which reflection is practiced. Two models of reflection will be applied to case studies from UK clinical psychology training programmes in order to illustrate this argument’.

(NB – use of ‘I’ and signalling of the conclusion in the introduction depends on conventions in your subject)


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2/ Why are you doing it?

“…because my lecturer told me to.”

• What’s the problem or question implied?

• Why is this an important question to answer / problem to solve / issue to engage with?

• What would happen if we didn’t?

• How central is this question to wider issues?

Mar

ch 5

, 20

15


University Library


@ncl_wdc

3/ How will you do this?

Structure

How many chapters? What are

they about? How will they

relate to and build on each

other?

Methodology/theory

March 5, 2015


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Writing the introduction

Information structure

Specific

General


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Alternative orders

Your introduction needn’t tackle the questions in that order

What are you doing? Why is this important? How will you do this?

Why is this important? What exactly are you going to do about it? How will you do it?

What are you doing? How will you do this? Why is it important?


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Conclusions

Your conclusion IS the answer to the question.

March 5, 2015


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Q & A

Why might birds be described as “glorified reptiles”?

Because of these reasons: X, Y and Z.

Is it accurate to describe birds as “glorified reptiles”?

Yes / No / Sort of.

“Birds are glorified reptiles”. Discuss.

I don’t completely agree with this statement because

of reasons X, Y and Z, although it’s partially true

because of A, B and C.

To what extent might birds be considered “glorified

reptiles”?

To a large / small / some extent.


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Taking a step back


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The Conclusion

Return to the broad overall perspective from the narrow detail of the main bodyRevisit the question, your answer, and the main steps by which you reached itDo not include new material You could consider the wider implications and significance of your argument

March 5, 2015


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Common questions – different

answers

When should you write your introduction

and conclusion – first or last?

How long should the introduction and

conclusion be?

Should I state my conclusion in the

introduction?


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The Writing Development Centre

Understanding assignment types, questions, instructions and marking criteria

Critical thinking, critiquing and reviewing literature

Note-taking from lectures and reading

Planning and structuring writing (incl. paragraphing)

Academic writing style (incl. fundamentals of grammar)

Understanding and using feedback to improve your work

Referencing, citing and avoiding plagiarism

Managing time, work and writing (incl. writers block and procrastination)

Exams and Revision

Managing research projects, dissertations and theses

Presentations and posters

Learning effectively in lectures, seminars, classes, labs etc


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The Writing Development Centre

Level 2, Robinson Library

Our team offers:

- One-to-one tutorials on study

skills and all stages and types of

academic writing

- A programme of workshops on aspects

of study and academic writing

- Online resources

You can book appointments and workshops with us

online: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wdc/

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wdc/

Education

Introductions and conclusions