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:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
Examples of phrases which are commonly employed to realise these functions are listed on the following pages. 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.<\/p>\n
A number of analysts have identified common patterns in the introductions of research articles. One of the best known 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:<\/p>\n
X is fundamental to \u2026
\nX has a pivotal role in \u2026
\nX is frequently prescribed for \u2026
\nX is fast becoming a key instrument in \u2026
\nX plays a vital role in the metabolism of \u2026
\nX plays a critical role in the maintenance of \u2026
\nXs have emerged as powerful platforms for \u2026
\nX is essential for a wide range of technologies.
\nX can play an important role in addressing the issue of \u2026
\nXs are the most potent anti-inflammatory agents known.
\nThere is evidence that X plays a crucial role in regulating \u2026
\nX is a common condition which has considerable impact on \u2026
\nIn the new global economy, X has become a central issue for \u2026
\nEvidence suggests that X is among the most important factors for \u2026
\nX is important for a wide range of scientific and industrial processes.
\nXs are one of the most widely used groups of antibacterial agents and \u2026
\nThere is a growing body of literature that recognises the importance of \u2026
\nX is an important component in the climate system, and plays a key role in Y.
\nIn the history of development economics, X has been thought of as a key factor in \u2026
\nXs are one of the most widely used groups of Y and have been extensively used for \u2026<\/p>\n
A key aspect of X is \u2026
\nX is of interest because \u2026
\nX is a classic problem in \u2026
\nA primary concern of X is \u2026
\nX is a dominant feature of \u2026
\nX is an important aspect of \u2026
\nX is a fundamental property of \u2026
\nThe concepts of X and Y are central to \u2026
\nX is at the heart of our understanding of \u2026
\nInvestigating X is a continuing concern within \u2026
\nX is a major area of interest within the field of \u2026
\nX has been studied by many researchers using \u2026
\nX has been an object of research since the 1960s.
\nX has been the subject of many classic studies in \u2026
\nX has been instrumental in our understanding of \u2026
\nThe theory of X provides a useful account of how \u2026
\nCentral to the entire discipline of X is the concept of \u2026
\nX is an increasingly important area in applied linguistics.
\nThe issue of X has received considerable critical attention.
\nX has long been a question of great interest in a wide range of fields.<\/p>\n
Recently, there has been renewed interest in \u2026
\nTraditionally, Xs have subscribed to the belief that \u2026
\nOne of the most important events of the 1970s was \u2026
\nIn recent years, there has been an increasing interest in \u2026
\nRecent developments in X have heightened the need for \u2026
\nThe last two decades have seen a growing trend towards \u2026
\nRecently, researchers have shown an increased interest in \u2026
\nOver the past century, there has been a dramatic increase in \u2026
\nRecent trends in X have led to a proliferation of studies that \u2026
\nX proved an important literary genre in the early Y community.
\nThe past decade has seen the rapid development of X in many \u2026
\nSince it was reported in 2005, X has been attracting a lot of interest.
\nRecently, a considerable literature has grown up around the theme of \u2026
\nRecent developments in the field of X have led to a renewed interest in \u2026
\nThe past thirty years have seen increasingly rapid advances in the field of \u2026
\nThe changes experienced by X over the past decade remain unprecedented.
\nIn light of recent events in X, it is becoming extremely difficult to ignore the existence of \u2026<\/p>\n
Recent evidence suggests that \u2026
\nExtensive research has shown that \u2026
\nStudies of X show the importance of \u2026
\nIt has previously been observed that \u2026
\nSeveral attempts have been made to \u2026
\nPrevious research has established that \u2026
\nData from several studies suggest that \u2026
\nRecent work by\u00a0historians has established that \u2026
\nPrevious research comparing X and Y has found \u2026
\nThe existing body of research on X suggests that \u2026
\nThere is a growing body of literature that recognises \u2026
\nSeveral theories on the origin of X have been proposed.
\nExisting research recognises the critical role played by \u2026
\nIt is now well established from a variety of studies, that \u2026
\nRecently investigators have examined the effects of X on Y.
\nSurveys such as that conducted by Smith (1988) have shown that \u2026
\nFactors found to be influencing X have been explored in several studies.
\nA number of cross-sectional studies suggest an association between X and Y\u2026
\nStudies over the past two decades have provided important information on \u2026
\nA considerable amount of literature has been published on X. These studies \u2026<\/p>\n
One of the main obstacles \u2026
\nOne of the greatest challenges \u2026
\nA key issue is the safe disposal of \u2026
\nThe main disadvantage of X is that \u2026
\nX is associated with increased risk of \u2026
\nX is a common disorder characterised by \u2026
\nIt is now well established that X can impair \u2026
\nX is a common, chronic disease of childhood.
\nX has led to the declines in the populations of \u2026
\nX is a growing public health concern worldwide.
\nX is one of the most frequently stated problems with \u2026
\nThe main challenge faced by many experiments is the \u2026
\nLack of X has existed as a health problem for many years.
\nX is a major public health problem, and the main cause of \u2026
\nXs are one of the most rapidly declining groups of insects in \u2026
\nX is the leading cause of death in western-industrialised countries.
\nDespite its long clinical success, X has a number of problems in use.
\nExposure to X has been shown to be related to adverse effects in \u2026
\nThere is increasing concern that some Xs are being disadvantaged \u2026
\nThere is an urgent need to address the safety problems caused by \u2026<\/p>\n
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