Common expressions in academic texts

There are many ways to present a position neutrally, using your own words. Here are some examples:

Frequently asked questions

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This belongs in the introduction

The introduction should lead to your topic. As a starting point, present the initial situation, for example by naming a current research problem to which your investigations relate, or by giving a specific case study that illustrates a problem. The introduction clarifies the aim of your paper and shows your approach.

Think about why it is relevant for you to address precisely this research question.

An important role is also played by the framework conditions under which your research takes place:

• Which test facilities are available to you?
• When and how can you use certain facilities?
• Special delivery and related waiting times for materials used should also be included in this section.

The introduction can already briefly describe the methodological approach or reconstruct the current state of research. In such a case, it may be advisable to divide the introduction into further sections.

The length of the introduction is usually at least one page. However, it should not be longer than three to four pages. The aim of the introduction is to spark the reader’s interest.

The writing style should be generally understandable, i.e., technical terms should be used sparingly, and mathematical formulas should be (largely) avoided. People who have not studied your field should also be able to understand what you have been working on for half a year after reading the introduction.

Common mistakes in the introduction

Avoid these common mistakes in your introduction:

• The objective of the paper is not mentioned in the introduction.
• The introduction makes it clear that the topic is too broad, without clarifying that only a partial aspect is being addressed.
• The introduction consists of too many elements that do not fit together.
• The introduction contains elements that belong in the main body of the paper. The introduction should only introduce the content that will be discussed in detail in the main body.
• The technical context and the relevance of the question are not evident.
• The introduction only explains the further structure of the paper –  this is already visible in the table of contents.
• The introduction lacks motivation: Why was this paper written with exactly this objective?
• If you wrote your paper in cooperation with a company: The company is presented in too much detail, and the company description reads like an advertisement.

Example of an introduction

The introduction is a mandatory part of The Structure of a Thesis in Engineering and Natural Sciences.

Frequently asked questions

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