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HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE AND READABLE RESEARCH PAPER

INTRODUCTION
The introduction plays a very important role in any research paper. It helps you establish
the foundation of the research and leads you to the issue to be discussed. You can grasp the
purpose of the research through the introduction. Therefore, presenting the introduction
effectively is necessary for readers to easily access the issue and purpose of the research.

There are some points in the introduction content. It provides essential context and
rationale for the study. It begins with a brief background of the research topic, followed by the
rationale for addressing the identified gap in knowledge. Key references to related work are
cited, and terms or abbreviations are clarified for clarity. Finally, a concise review of relevant
literature positions the study within existing research.

The introduction of a research paper serves several crucial functions. It should not only
capture the reader's interest but also provide a summary of previous research, establish the
problem to be addressed, propose a hypothesis, and state the main purpose of the study.
Furthermore, the structure of the introduction typically includes what is known about the topic,
what is unknown (the research gap), and the rationale behind the study.

Many researchers have difficulty when it comes to deciding when to write their
introduction. It is important to consider the order you draft your research paper for as you recall
everything else in the research paper must flow from the introduction therefore because it is one
of the most difficult sections to nail down. To effectively write an introduction, it is
recommended to follow a logical order of writing, typically after drafting the material, results,
discussion, and before the conclusion sections.

Furthermore, there are some tips to write the introduction more effectively. You can write
in an active voice, use concise sentences with strong verbs, and avoid overuse of first-person
pronouns are essential tips for crafting a compelling introduction. Additionally, organizing
thoughts from broad to specific helps in maintaining clarity and coherence.

Citations play a crucial role in providing evidence and credibility to the statements made
in the introduction. It is imperative to back up every assertion with evidence from reliable
sources, either through logical arguments or references to previous research. However, it's
essential to avoid plagiarism by summarizing sources in one's own words rather than copying
directly or quoting extensively.

Paragraphs in the introduction should be clear and well-structured, with each paragraph
focusing on a single topic and starting with a topic sentence. Transition words aid in maintaining
coherence between sentences and paragraphs, facilitating the reader's understanding of the
argument presented. The length of the paragraph is also not too long or too short. Each sentence
should be no more than 20 words long and each paragraph no more than 6 sentences.

Regarding writing style and language, careful attention should be paid to verb tenses.
Past tense is typically used for specific results, methods, or discussions of other researchers'
work, while present perfect tense is employed for general findings or when summarizing
multiple studies. Present tense is reserved for stating facts or hypotheses.

In summary, crafting an effective introduction involves careful organization, clear and


concise writing, proper citation of sources, and adherence to appropriate verb tenses. By
following these guidelines, researchers can effectively engage readers, provide context for their
study, and establish the groundwork for their research paper.
References
1. How to Write a Research Paper Introduction - YouTube
2. How to write the Introduction: Part 1 - YouTube
3. How to write the Introduction: Part 2 - YouTube

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