《學(xué)術(shù)論文寫作》課件 English Academic Writing 14

1、Chapter 14IntroductionIntroductionI Features1. Background2. Questions3. Purpose4. Positive view of the topic5. Methods of analysis6. Framework of analysis7. Positive view of the end point8.significanceII. Elements and linguistic features1.Background 2. Literature review3. Significance 4. thesis stru

2、ctureThe Coverage of the IntroductionThe literature review; The definition of the problem;The purpose of the present study;The choice of methods;The statement of principal results & conclusions (disputable).A good introductionindicates the topic that the essay is aboutdescribes how the body of the e

3、ssay is organizedexplains the point of writing the essay (the point of writing an essay is usually to argue for a thesis, so you will need to explain what thesis you argue for and how you argue for it this is called a thesis-statement, and most essay introductions include one.)First exampleSuppose y

4、ou had to write a ten page essay on the topic of whether body-checking should be banned in junior ice-hockey. You did your research and found that there are several main arguments for and against a ban. In the body of your essay you described and evaluated these arguments, and determined that argume

5、nts for a ban are stronger than arguments against a ban.Now you must write your introduction!First examplethe topic-sentence is in red, essay structure in blue, thesis in yellow):This essay is about the issue of body-checking in junior ice-hockey. First, arguments for a ban on body-checking are exam

6、ined. Second, arguments against a ban are discussed. It is shown that pro-ban arguments are stronger than anti-ban arguments. Therefore, the thesis of this essay is that body-checking in junior ice-hockey should be banned. Discussion of first exampleThis introduction is all right so far as it goes.

7、It is better to have an introduction that includes the three important elements (topic, structure, thesis) than to have one that does not. Many people start out by writing essays with introductions like this one. It does have the virtue of being clear, and clarity is essential. But let us review it

8、to see if it can be improved. Discussion of first exampleThe structure-sentences are fine.Notice that words such as first and second are useful in helping to describe how the body of an essay is organized.However, if you can convey the structure of your essay without using too many organizational wo

9、rds, that is even better.Discussion of first exampleThe topic-sentence could be improved.Rather than writing: “This essay is about”, it would be better to write a few topic-sentences that convey a sense of the current state of the topic. This not only tells the reader what the topic is, but it also

10、gives the impression that you are knowledgeable about the topic and in command of your research material.Discussion of first exampleThe thesis-sentences could be better.Instead of writing: “Therefore, the thesis of this essay is” simply give a bold, factual sentence that expresses your position on t

11、he issue. This conveys an air of confidence, unlike the phrase “the thesis of this essay” which is timid and non-committal.Second exampleThe introduction on the next slide takes these points into account. Compare it with the previous introduction and note how wording the three main elements differen

12、tly can improve the impact that the introduction has on the reader. Second example Body-checking has always been a controversial issue. However, the recent decision of Hockey Canada to allow some hockey associations to permit body-checking among players as young as nine years of age, on an experimen

13、tal basis, has aggravated the controversy quite considerably in recent months. Perspectives fall into three main categories: viewpoints of fans, the official standpoint of Hockey Canada, and positions held by the scientific community. Evaluation of the main arguments shows quite clearly that Hockey

14、Canadas decision to allow body-checking in some junior games, even on an experimental basis, is a serious mistake.Discussion of second exampleThe topic-sentences give an impression of the current state of the topic (and, so, convey the topic of the essay to the reader) without using the words essay

15、or topic. The structure-sentences inform the reader of the main parts of the body of the essay and their order of discussion (views of fans, Hockey Canada, and scientific community) without using many organizational words.Discussion of second exampleThe thesis-sentences tell the reader where you sta

16、nd on the issue and how you arrived at your position (through evaluation of the main arguments for and against a ban), without including words such as essay or thesis.Discussion of second exampleThis second introduction gives the reader the impression that you are knowledgeable on the topic, and tha

17、t doing the research has led you to an intelligent, informed thesis. Why didnt the first introduction have the same effect? Orient Readers.Orienting readers, locating them in your discussion, means providing information and explanations wherever necessary for your readers understanding.Orienting is

18、important throughout your essay, but it is crucial in the beginning. Readers who dont have the information they need to follow your discussion will get lost and quit reading. (Your teachers, of course, will trudge on.) Supplying the necessary information to orient your readers may be as simple as an

19、swering the journalists questions of who, what, where, when, how, and why. It may mean providing a brief overview of events or a summary of the text youll be analyzing. If the source text is brief, such as the First Amendment, you might just quote it. If the text is well known, your summary, for mos

20、t audiences, wont need to be more than an identifying phrase or two:Frequently asked questions1. How long should my introduction be?One common mistake is to write an introduction that is too long; the introduction is so detailed that it is indistinguishable from the body of the essay! As a rule, an

21、introduction should not be longer than about 8% of the length of the essay. For example, the introduction of a ten, fifteen, and twentyessay should be a maximum of about a page, a page and a quarter, and one and a half pages respectively.Frequently asked questions2. How detailed should the introduct

22、ion be?Another common mistake is that the introduction is so detailed that it fails to indicate the topic of the essay in a clear way! The introduction only needs to state the topic, general structure, and thesis of the essay. The longer the essay is supposed to be, the more detailed your topic, str

23、ucture and thesis-sentences can be.Frequently asked questions3. Why am I finding it hard to write the introduction?The introduction must indicate the topic, structure and thesis of the essay. If you are not completely sure about any of these things, you will find it hard or even impossible to write

24、an introduction. Writers block can happen when you try to write the introduction before you have done sufficient reading and research on the topic.Frequently asked questions3. Why am I finding it hard to write theintroduction (continued)?How can you know what the structure of your essay will be unti

25、l you have written at least a draft of the body? How can you know what your thesis will be until you have done the reading and research?! To save time, always write the introduction last.Frequently asked questions4. What is an introduction for? Is it a summary?An introduction is not a summary. A sum

26、mary repeats the main ideas of an essay. An introduction introduces the reader to the topic of the essay, describes the organizational structure of the essay, and explains the point of the essay (the thesis argued for).Frequently asked questions5. What should I put in my introduction?Do not try to p

27、ack everything into the introduction. It would then not be an introduction at all! An essay introduction does not need to do more than tell the reader the topic of the essay, describe how the body of the essay is organized, and explain the thesis that you argue for in the essay.Frequently asked ques

28、tions6. How many paragraphs should I use for the introduction?The introduction needs to indicate the topic, structure, and thesis of the essay for the reader. In a short ten page essay, all of these things should be easy to include in one or two paragraphs. In longer essays, your topic, structure, a

29、nd thesis-sentences will be more detailed, and so more paragraphs may be required to complete the introduction. Questions of Length and Order. How long should the beginning be?The length should be proportionate to the length and complexity of the whole essay. For instance, if youre writing a fiveess

30、ay analyzing a single text, your beginning should be brief, no more than one or two paragraphs. On the other hand, it may take a couple of pages to set up a ten一page essay.Does the business of the beginning have to be addressed in a particular order?No, but the order should be logical. Usually, for

31、instance, the question or statement that focuses the essay comes at the end of the beginning, where it serves as the jumping-off point for the middle, or main body, of the essay. Topic and context are often intertwined, but the context may be established before the particular topic is introduced. In

32、 other words, the order in which you accomplish the business of the beginning is flexible and should be determined by your purpose.Opening Strategies.There is still the further question of how to start. What makes a Good opening? You can start with specific facts and information, a keynote quotation

33、, a question, an anecdote, or an image. But whatever sort of opening you choose, it should be directly related to your focus. A snappy quotation that doesnt help establish the context for your essay or that later plays no part in your thinking will only mislead readers and blur your focus. Be as dir

34、ect and specific as you can be. This means you should avoid two types of openings:The history-of-the-world (or long-distance) opening, which aims to establish a context for the essay by getting a long running start: Ever since the dawn of civilized life, societies have struggled to reconcile the nee

35、d for change withthe need for order. What are we talking about here, political revolution or a new brand of soft drink? Get to it.The funnel opening (a variation on the same theme), which starts with something broad and general and funnels its way down to a specific topic. If your essay is an argume

36、nt about state-mandated prayer in public schools, dont start by generalizing about religion; start with the specific topic at hand.Vocabulary for the Introduction1 ESTABLISHING SIGNIFICANCEHere are some examples of how these are used:.A major current focus in population management is how to ensure s

37、ustainability of.Numerous experiments have established that ionising radiation causes.Low-dose responses to radiation have generated considerable recent research interest.2. VERBS USED IN THE LITERATURE REVIEWambiguouscomputationally demandingconfuseddeficientdoubtfulexpensivefalsefar from perfectill-definedimpracticalimprobableinaccurateinadequateincapable (of)incompatible (with)incompleteinconclusive(the) absence of(an) altern