Do you think of writing an introduction as a chore? Or are you scared of running into writer’s block the moment you open a blank file? You are not alone in the loathing of introductions that seem like the most useless and meaningless part of a term paper. So today, we’re setting out on a journey to beat your introduction stupor. After all, the introduction is the first meaningful part of the term paper your audience reads. It can make or break the first impression that will, in turn, affect your grade and academic standing.
Let’s start with ‘Why’. As in why should you care about writing the best introduction?
What Makes Introduction Critical for a Term Paper?
Students often overlook the value of a term paper introduction in a traditional academic structure. And while it’s appropriate to write the first section after the body of the term paper is complete, treating the introduction like an afterthought is a mistake. The introductory passages are necessary to present your topic, convince the audience of its relevance, and provide essential background information before diving into the literature review. A well-written introduction makes the whole paper look convincing and put together. It also highlights your ability to emphasize study goals and objectives within a limited word count. Treat it as an invaluable soft skill to add to your resume, if nothing else.
Term Paper Introduction Structure
What makes an excellent term paper introduction? Unfortunately, there is no universal formula applicable for every class and assignment. However, there are essential components that usually go into the introduction:
- The opening line (also known as the hook).
- Statement of the topic.
- Background information on the matter.
- Proof of relevance.
- Thesis statement (or research question).
- Layout overview.
Some elements may not apply to your assignment, and you may wish to shuffle the order to fit your narrative better. Read on to learn more about writing each section of the introduction.
How to Write a Term Paper Introduction
To beat the fear of the blank page and writer’s block, we’ve split the introduction writing process into six easy, manageable steps. Follow this guide, and you’ll complete the first section of your term paper in no time.
Attention-grabbing Hook
The first couple of sentences of the term paper introduction paragraph should draw attention and make the reader excited about what comes next. The hook can take on many forms:
Surprising fact or statistic:
Over 50% of prison inmates in the US do not possess high school credentials.
Memorable but not overused quote:
Nelson Mandela once said, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Provocative question or statement:
Does every high school dropout end up in prison?
As you can see, different hook types can fit the same topic, so choose the one that fits your writing style and narrative best.
Topic Presentation
After you draw attention with the hook, expand on it to further narrow and explain the core issue of your study. You don’t need to use “This paper” or “This study”. Instead, highlight the overarching topic of your research.
Expanding the example of a term paper introduction from before, we get:
The shift towards online classes across primary and secondary education throughout the Covid-19 pandemic negatively affected the teaching and learning experience. It resulted in an increased number of school dropouts which may have an unpredictable effect on the crime rate.
Background Information
Provide the reader with a broad view of the context. Do not turn an introduction into a literature review, but share enough information to convince the audience you possess sufficient knowledge and understanding of the issue.
Over 1.2 million children drop out of high school in the US yearly, while the median violent crime rate is 398 per 100,000 people. The number of crimes reported, arrests made, and incarcerated criminals decreased by 16% between 2019 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Still, the lower quality of remote education may significantly increase criminal activity within the next five years.
Problem Relevance
After presenting existing research and data, highlight the importance of your study. You can expand on the issue’s relevance or provide proof of the knowledge gaps, limitations, and inconsistencies within past publications. This part should explain why your topic is important and how your research differs from others.
Expanding our introduction sample for term paper, we get:
The annual statistical reports by the Offices of the United States Attorneys and the Vera Institute of Justice research demonstrate the decrease in reported violent crimes, number of arrests, and convictions. And the National Center for Education Statistics provides comprehensive data on the number of high school dropouts. At the same time, few studies look for correlations between the two data sets or extrapolate the potential effects of online classes on education quality and crime rate.
Thesis Statement / Research Question
With all the facts and context laid out, formulate the core question you wish to answer or the thesis statement you will prove with your arguments. The choice between the two falls on you and your assignment requirements. However, primary research papers usually rely on research questions (sometimes followed by a hypothesis), while argumentative term papers commonly use thesis statements.
Let’s add a research question statement to the sample introduction to a term paper from before:
This study aims to resolve the question: What are the current and potential effects of the shift towards online learning on the crime rate in the US?
A corresponding hypothesis would read:
It is hypothesized that online learning leads to an increase in school dropouts, which may result in a rise in violent crime in the US within the following five years.
Term Paper Overview
If your term paper follows the typical structure that includes literature review, methodology, results, and discussion, you may skip this final section of the introduction. However, if you rely on a more complex outline or use a chronological or thematic structure, you can map your study to make it easier for readers to follow your thinking.
Use the present or past tense for this section as it relates to the research you’ve already completed:
This paper first analyzes the historical data of education disruptions caused by significant social and political unrest and corresponding crime rates, then covers the current education and crime environment, and relies on statistical data analysis to extrapolate potential future increase in violent crime.
Term Paper Introduction Example
Let’s take a look at an entire term paper introduction example that relies on the recommendation above:
Nelson Mandela once said, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. The shift towards online classes across primary and secondary education throughout the Covid-19 pandemic negatively affected the teaching and learning experience. It resulted in an increased number of school dropouts which may have an unpredictable effect on the crime rate.
Over 1.2 million children drop out of high school in the US yearly, while the median violent crime rate is 398 per 100,000 people. The number of crimes reported, arrests made, and incarcerated criminals decreased by 16% between 2019 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Still, the lower quality of remote education may significantly increase criminal activity within the next five years.
The annual statistical reports by the Offices of the United States Attorneys and the Vera Institute of Justice research demonstrate the decrease in reported violent crimes, number of arrests, and convictions. And the National Center for Education Statistics provides comprehensive data on the number of high school dropouts. At the same time, few studies look for correlations between the two data sets or extrapolate the potential effects of online classes on education quality and crime rate.
This study aims to resolve the question: What are the current and potential effects of the shift towards online learning on the crime rate in the US? This paper first analyzes the historical data of education disruptions caused by significant social and political unrest and corresponding crime rates, then covers the current education and crime environment, and relies on statistical data analysis to extrapolate potential future increase in violent crime.
How to Write a Good Introduction for a Term Paper
Follow this step-by-step writing guide from the OrderTermPaper team on how to write a term paper introduction, and you will never suffer the blank page stupor again. Here are a few extra tips to make the process smoother:
- Avoid using dictionary definitions as your hook.
- Write the introduction and the conclusion after the main body of the study is ready.
- Try the brain dump method: write everything you can think about, then straighten the introduction to follow the layout we’ve discussed.
- Remember to cite your sources if you use reference data to describe the context and emphasize the issue’s relevance.
- Follow the formatting style requirements and assignment instructions.
- Edit, proofread, and format the introduction with the rest of your paper before submitting it.
FAQs
How to Make an Introduction in a Term Paper?
First, use a controversial or surprising hook to draw attention and present your topic. Then, use the background information to highlight the issue’s relevance. Next, formulate a thesis statement or research question that comprises your study objectives. Finally, complete the introduction with a brief overview of the paper’s layout.
How to Start a Term Paper Introduction?
The first couple of sentences of the introduction make a hook to grab the readers’ attention and get them excited about your term paper. Hooks take many forms, though the most common include a short anecdote, a surprising fact or statistic, a provocative question, and a quote. While the hook should be attention-grabbing and exciting, it must also be relevant to the topic and fit well with the rest of your term paper.
How Long Should an Introduction for a Term Paper Be?
Traditionally, the introduction is around 10% of the overall word count. Therefore, if your term paper is ten pages long (2,500 words), the introduction should fit on one page (around 250 words). The first section may be slightly longer, but it should not exceed 15% of the total word count.
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