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Writing an Introduction

STUDYING A MODEL

Introduction
1 Polylactide (PLA) has received much attention in recent years due to its biodegradable
properties, which offer important economic benefits. 2 PLA is a polymer obtained from corn
and is produced by the polymerisation of lactide. 3 It has many possible uses in the
biomedical field and has also been investigated as a potential engineering material. 4
However, it has been found to be too weak under impact to be used commercially.

5 One way to toughen polymers is to incorporate a layer of rubber particles and there has
been extensive research regarding the rubber modification of PLA. 6 For example, Penney et
al. showed that PLA composites could be prepared using blending techniques and more
recently, Hillier established the toughness of such composites. 7 However, although the effect
of the rubber particles on the mechanical properties of copolymer systems was demonstrated
over two years ago, little attention has been paid to the selection of an appropriate rubber
component.

8 The present paper presents a set of criteria for selecting such a component. 9 On the basis
of these criteria it then describes the preparation of a set of polymer blends using PLA and a
hydrocarbon rubber (PI). 10 This combination of two mechanistically distinct polymerisations
formed a novel copolymer in which the incorporation of PI significantly increased flexibility.

Source: Glasman-Deal, Hilary. (2010). Science Reasearch Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English.
London: Imperial College Press.
2|W ri ti ng f or S ch ola rly P ubli ca tio n _2 0 22

1 Polylactide (PLA) has received much attention in the writer establishes the
recent years due to its biodegradable properties, importance of this
which offer important economic benefits. research topic.
2 PLA is a polymer obtained from corn and is the writer provides general
produced by the polymerisation of lactide background information for the
reader.
3 It has many possible uses in the biomedical field the writer does the same as in
and has also been investigated as a potential Sentences 1 and 2, but in a more
engineering material. specific/detailed way, using
research references to support
both the background facts and
the claim for significance.
4 However, it has been found to be too weak under the writer describes the general
impact to be used commercially. problem area or the current
research focus of the field.
5 One way to toughen polymers is to incorporate a the writer provides a transition
layer of rubber particles and there has been between the general problem
extensive research regarding the rubber area and the literature review.
modification of PLA
6 For example, Penney et al. showed that PLA the writer provides a brief
composites could be prepared using blending overview of key research
techniques and more recently, Hillier established the projects in this area.
toughness of such composites.
7 However, although the effect of the rubber particles the writer describes a gap in the
on the mechanical properties of copolymer systems research.
was demonstrated over two years ago, little attention
has been paid to the selection of an appropriate
rubber component.

8 The present paper presents a set of criteria for the writer describes the paper
selecting such a component. itself.
9 On the basis of these criteria it then describes the the writer gives details about the
preparation of a set of polymer blends using PLA and methodology reported in the
a hydrocarbon rubber (PI). paper.
10 This combination of two mechanistically distinct the writer announces the
polymerisations formed a novel copolymer in which findings.
the incorporation of PI significantly increased
flexibility.

Source: Glasman-Deal, Hilary. (2010). Science Reasearch Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English.
London: Imperial College Press.
3|W ri ti ng f or S ch ola rly P ubli ca tio n _2 0 22

Basic questions answered in an Introduction

1) What am I studying?
2) Why is this topic important to investigate?
3) What other experts have discovered about the topic?
4) How will my research advance new knowledge/ new ways of understanding?

Grammar and Writing Skill

1) Use of tense
2) Use of signaling language (build cohesion)
3) Use of active/ passive voice
4) Paragraphing

Pay attention to these pairs of tense

For example, Penney et al. showed that PLA composites could be prepared using
blending techniques and more recently, Hillier established the toughness of such
composites. However, although the effect of the rubber particles on the mechanical
properties of copolymer systems was demonstrated over two years ago, little*
attention has been paid to the selection of an appropriate rubber component.

However, although the effect of the rubber particles on the mechanical properties of
copolymer systems was demonstrated over two years ago, little attention was paid
to the selection of an appropriate rubber component.

If the writer forgets to change tense and continues in the Past Simple, the sentence
means that little attention was paid THEN, i.e. two years ago. – huge difference

Source: Glasman-Deal, Hilary. (2010). Science Reasearch Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English.
London: Imperial College Press.
4|W ri ti ng f or S ch ola rly P ubli ca tio n _2 0 22

Connecting sentences.
a) Overlap/ chain technique (use the word from the previous sentence to
begin a new sentence)
e.g. One way to engage students is by allowing them to choose their own
reading materials. Self-selected reading materials offer….
b) Pronoun
c) Semicolon, relative clause (which- clause)
d) Conjuctions (e.g. cause and effect)

Passive/ active
a) Use of we (only refer to group of researchers; not to include people in
general, including the reader)
b) Avoiding subject (doer) but maintain active construction—use dummy
subject (e.g. here, this study, this present paper)

Paragraphing
a) Planning and planning and planning
b) Keep every paragraph unified
c) Ensure paragraphs are coherence
d) ‘Show the wall before the bricks’ concept

FAQs
What if I don’t have the confidence to say that my research is important?
Most authors of research articles begin by establishing the significance of their
research; if you don’t, it can look as though your research is NOT signify cant, so
don’t be shy about stating why or how your field is important or useful.
What tense should I write in here?
Phrases like many studies in recent years or in the past five years are normally
followed by the Present Perfect tense (Many studies in recent years have focused
on...). Other ways of establishing significance may use the Present Simple tense
(There are substantial benefits to be gained from…).

So what kind of facts should I start with?

This depends on how wide your subject — and therefore your readership — is. If
the subject of your research is very specific, then many of your readers will have a
high level of background knowledge, and you can start with fairly specific
information. If your paper is likely to attract a wider audience, then you should start
with more general background information. Remember that your background facts
may come from research, so don’t forget to include the research references where
necessary.

I’m still not sure where to begin.

If you are still stuck for a first sentence, look at your title. It is helpful to your readers
if you define the keywords in your title — perhaps you can begin with a definition
or a fact about one of those keywords.

Source: Glasman-Deal, Hilary. (2010). Science Reasearch Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English.
London: Imperial College Press.
5|W ri ti ng f or S ch ola rly P ubli ca tio n _2 0 22

Can’t I start by describing the problem I am hoping to solve?

You can, but most authors don’t, because it’s sometimes difficult to say exactly what
the problem is until your readers have enough background information to
understand it. It’s also very hard to limit yourself to one sentence about the
problem you are hoping to solve, and before you know it, you’ve written down a
lot of specific information which your readers aren’t ready for because you haven’t
given them enough background.

Which of the research papers I have read should be mentioned somewhere in the
Introduction?
The selection of names and references in the Introduction is important because
they draw a research ‘map’ for the reader by indicating the key players in your
field and the progress or achievements so far. These names and references give
the reader a clear idea of where your research is located and how it is related to
other work in the field.

Which ones should be part of the background to the research and which ones should
go in the literature review which comes later in the Introduction?
If the findings are well-known and considered reliable enough to be presented as
truths, you can present them in the Present Simple as part of the factual
background to your paper with a research reference.
Th e literature review, which describes recent and current research in your field,
usually mentions authors by name, and the sentences are usually in the Simple
Past or Present Perfect tense.

What order should I mention them in? Who comes first and who comes last?
 Chronological
 Different approaches/theories/models
 General/specific:

Source: Glasman-Deal, Hilary. (2010). Science Reasearch Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English.
London: Imperial College Press.