Whether the benefits of having the university degree worth the cost of it
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WritingyourIntroduction.pptxWriting your introduction
AS GP – Research Essay
Purpose
Your introduction has three main purposes:
1) introduce the context of the argument
2) Introduce any key terms or vocabulary needed to understand the argument.
3) Introduce the scope of the argument
Each of these points can literally be a short paragraph, if that makes it easier for you.
Context
Here you would provide details with which to understand “where is this argument coming from?”
The type of information given depends on:
The general topic perspective taken (economic, educational, environmental, social, technological, etc)
The historical factors that may be required
The academic background in which this conversation is taking place.
Only say what needs to be said. If you don’t know what is important and you find yourself making stuff up, go back to the body of the essay and make notes.
Context continued…
Questions to help:
Why is this topic important? What is the impact of various outcomes?
What important events happened before this discussion became important?
What discussions are taking place in academic circles or in the media around this topic?
Remember to double check your topic – keep your answers relevant to the argument you have created.
Vocabulary
You may have used some key words in your argument that could be difficult to understand for a non-specialist audience.
This does not include new English words you have learned while researching.
It should not include words with a dictionary definition.
It does include words that have a particular definition within the scope of this argument.
It does include key terms that may not be understood by non-specialists.
You can start, “For this argument to be fully understood, the following key terms should be explained.”
Scope
Tell us what is included in your argument.
Tell us what is not included in your argument.
End with a thesis statement. You can literally rewrite your original research question as a statement:
“Should students complete teacher evaluation assessments?”
“This essay will explore whether students should complete teacher evaluation assessments”.
Final notes
AVOID CLICHÉS
If any of you write something like “The discussion of (my topic) has become a hot topic in recent years”….
…I will break lockdown, swim across the ocean, avoid the authorities, travel by night, break into your apartment and throttle you.
Kidding! I love you too much, but I’ll give you -5% for being boring, and unoriginal, and annoying.
Your entire introduction should be no longer than 250 words.
Next period, I’ll answer any questions you have on Skype.
Send me an introduction by 5pm today if you want feedback.
