Introduction Section
Requirements/Guidelines
• Your introduction is an extended version of your Topic & References assignment.
• It more fully introduces your topic, builds your “argument” using evidence from the literature (properly citing others’ work), and ends with a strong case for your study.
• Make sure to follow the following 7-area formula:
o 1) Opening Context (2-3 paragraphs)
Open with the problem/make clear that this is worth studying; lay out statistics for some context.
Make the reader care about the topic.
Demonstrate how far-reaching the topic is.
o 2) Lay out your Theory (1-2 pages)
What is the theory/theoretical framework?
How has the theory been studied? Provide background about the theory.
o 3) Cover your Independent Variable (5-7 pages)
What is it? What does your reader need to know about it? How has it been studied) —— (allude/tie to the DV).
Provide the historical context and background about this variable (what does the literature say about your topic/variables).
o 4) Cover your Dependent Variable (5-7 pages)
What is it? What does your reader need to know about it? How has it been studied) —— (allude/tie to the IV).
Provide the historical context and background about this variable (what does the literature say about your topic/variables).
*Make sure your claims about a relationship between the IV and DV are supported with studies (evidence). Cite your sources that IV and DV are likely linked together.
o 5) Discuss the “holes” in the literature (What’s missing?; What/where are the gaps in the literature?). Make a niche for your work.(2-3 sentences)
o 6) Statement of Study (What is your study about?) (one sentence or so)
Make a statement rather than a question. This statement of study should fill the niche noted above.
o 7) State your Hypothesis. (one sentence or so)
Make a statement; do not ask a question. This should align with your research question/statement of study.
Reminders/Tips:
• **Please make sure your drafts and final versions of the Introduction section adhere to the page expectations for EACH section.
• Remember, writing the Introduction section is not a linear process, so you may need to revise your Introduction section several times over the course of this process.
• You will need many primary/scholarly references in total for your introduction section (at least 20 total). You will be limited to a maximum of 2 sources from reputable web sources – .edu, .org, .gov). These web sites will not count toward the 20 source minimum.
• Rely on peer-reviewed articles and primary resources.
• Get as many of your sources as you can now rather than waiting until it’s too late.