How To Write A Dissertation Introduction: Helpful Hints


Writing a dissertation is a huge undertaking. It shows that you have a grasp on your subject matter and allows your instructor see how well you can research a given topic as well as how well you can organize these thoughts into a cohesive paper. Of all of the steps that you take while doing the research into, and eventually putting your words (and the words of your sources) on paper, it is quite likely that the Introduction may be the final piece that you write. The most likely exception to that rule would be writing the abstract.

While the most important portion of your dissertation may not be the introduction, you should also take care to not underestimate the value of crafting a terrific introduction to your paper. Since this is the first thing, that will be read by anyone you need to take steps to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read further. Hopefully, the tips listed below will help you write the best introduction possible, and make your paper stand out.

  • Do not be afraid to revise and update as you get new ideas. This is important because the introduction and the main body are inherently connected, and keeping that in mind will help keep your ideas and researched focused in the right direction.

  • Use your introduction to showing how your paper makes a contribution to the understanding of your topic.
  • The introduction sets the tone for the rest of the work utilize it to give the general idea of research and arguments that came before.

  • Use it to give the reader an idea of why you chose this subject, what you hoped to learn from it, and give an example of the flavor of the writing style in the rest of your paper.

  • Avoid the temptation of using too many citations. They fit better and belong in the main body of your work. However using a citation to set the tone and context is a common and acceptable practice.

  • Like any written work a powerful and interesting opening sentence is a good way to get the reader’s attention.

  • While you outline the rest of your paper, try not to say everything in the introduction either.

  • Make sure that any claims made here are backed up in the paper itself.

  • Make sure that you use clear and concise wording. This should carry on throughout the paper, but is especially important in the beginning.

  • Keep in mind that this is the entrance to the rest of your paper. Make sure that it makes sense to people who aren’t experts in the field as well as your instructor.

Making use of these tips should help you get going on the first part of your dissertation, which may well be the last part that you actually write, but it shouldn’t be the last part that you have in mind.