Introduction Section An Overview

Focusing a Topic

Depression Depression in Adults Depression in Adults with Panic Disorder Depression in Adults with Panic Disorder who take a specific type of Panic Disorder medication Depression in Adults with Panic Disorder who take a specific type of Panic Disorder medication who complain of Sleep Disorders Question of Interest What factors contributed to the Sleep Disorders?

What is an Introduction A synthesis of journal articles, books, and other documents that describe the past and current state of relevant information about your study.

Why is an Introduction Necessary? It helps you: Demonstrate a conceptual or theoretical framework to your research Show key variables or concepts Provide an historical background for your study Show previous research that is similar to yours Identifies scholars and theorists in your study area Show the significance of your study Show questions or tests previously validated

Steps in Preparing & Writing an Introduction Step 1: Identify key words or descriptors Step 2: Create a search query Step 3: Identify relevant literature sources Step 4: Search the literature and collect relevant materials Step 5: Critically read and analyze the literature Step 6: Synthesize the literature Step 7: Organize the literature Step 8: Write the Introduction

Synthesizing the Literature Synthesis: the process of comparing, eliminating, and merging disparate pieces of information into one coherent whole. Do not: Discuss the literature as a series of previous studies. Example: Jones says… Smith found… Explain the relationship among them.

You synthesize the literature when you… Identify relationships among studies Compare & contrast theories, concepts, and research studies Comment on major themes and patterns you discovered Discuss the pros & cons of the issues Explain a conflict or contradiction among different resources Point-out gaps in the literature Note inconsistencies across studies over time Make generalizations across studies Make connections among the sources cited Critique the Literature – do not duplicate it

Rewrite with Simplicity & Clarity Having arrived upon the scene, I initiated reconnaissance actions to determine the dispositions of the opposing forces and proceeded to attain the maximal strategic objective.

Rewrite with Simplicity & Clarity I must be given maximum latitude to enjoy the benefits of our country, unfettered by degrading restrictions on my activities: if I am denied this privilege, I would prefer to be permanently eliminated from the exercise of my viable functions.

Write Scholarly Paragraphs A scholarly paragraph contains the following four elements 1: Unity 2: A Topic Sentence 3: Coherence 4: Adequate Development

Unity A single focus or main idea Every sentence helps illustrate, explain, exemplify, or expand that main idea When you move to a new idea, begin a new paragraph

Topic Sentence A topic sentence states the central idea of the paragraph It tells the reader what to expect about the information that follows In academic writing, it usually works best at the beginning of a paragraph

Example First main idea - First supporting point Evidence, argument, or example - Second supporting point Evidence, argument, or example Second main idea, etc….

Coherence The orderly presentation of ideas A coherent paragraph has clearly connected sentences arranged in a logical order Use transition words and phrases to pull ideas together and aid coherence (also, therefore, in addition, accordingly, etc.)

Adequate Development Ideas should be discussed fully and adequately Length varies; however, two or three sentences are probably not full development