How do you write a thesis introduction that grabs attention?

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The introduction of your thesis is the first impression that your readers will get of your research. It should provide a clear and engaging overview of your topic, problem, and purpose, as well as set the tone and direction for the rest of your work. But how do you write a thesis introduction that grabs attention and makes your audience want to read more? Here are some tips to help you craft a compelling and effective introduction for your thesis.

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Craft the introduction last:

Writing your thesis introduction after completing the other chapters helps ensure it accurately reflects your research and highlights key points. This way, your "shop window" entices readers with a well-organized display of your work's core elements.
Adopt a multidisciplinary angle:

Drawing from various fields in your introduction shows the breadth of your research and its relevance to complex issues. It can intrigue readers by demonstrating how you've woven together diverse perspectives into a cohesive and impactful narrative.

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Ali Derahvasht

TESL- PhD at University of Malaya
Pavlos Georgiadis

Program Manager, Forests for Life…

1 Start with a hook

A hook is a sentence or a question that captures the interest of your readers and motivates them to continue reading. A hook can be a surprising fact, a provocative statement, a relevant anecdote, a personal story, a quotation, or a rhetorical question. The hook should be related to your topic and problem, and should also reflect your voice and style. For example, if you are writing a thesis on the effects of social media on mental health, you could start with a hook like this:

"Did you know that the average person spends more than two hours a day on social media platforms? While some may argue that social media can enhance communication and connection, others claim that it can have negative impacts on mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness."

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Ali Derahvasht

TESL- PhD at University of Malaya
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As the Introduction is the 1st chapter of any thesis, most students assume it must be written first and then other chapters (Review of Literature, Methodology, Results, Discussion/Conclusion), but I believe as the Introduction is your "shop window" you should set and tidy up all your products inside the shop (other chapters) first and then, based on your internal settings, come and decorate your shop window (Introduction) based on what you have included in other chapters, with the most important products representing the whole shop (your thesis).

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Karen Tweddle-Crorey

Creative artist, scholar, writer, poet, and secretary - Other abilities: sew & repair costumes-clothing, ceramics, adjunct teaching experience in anthropology & sociology
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One thing I have found helpful and agree with is the rhetorical question as a hook. I like that approach. I would have guessed that the average person spends at least two hours a day on social media. (Is there a source?) Where did this fact come from? There is an argument forming here and the writer is taking middle ground or a compare and contrast approach. I don't feel like I'm getting anything new that I have not heard before. Maybe a citation or quoted statistic would be compelling.

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Dr. Mamta Chawla

Managment Learner
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Let's go by the title itself- Introduction, introduction to the context, and presenting enough information so that the reader can relate to the topic, and its importance and be provoked to read the rest of the chapter as well. The latest historical information needs to be highlighted. Just experience visiting the lobby area of any hotel.

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2 Provide some background

After you have hooked your readers, you need to provide some background information on your topic and problem. This is where you explain the context, scope, and significance of your research, and show why it is important and relevant to your field and audience. You should also define any key terms, concepts, or acronyms that you will use throughout your thesis. For example, continuing with the social media example, you could provide some background like this:

"Social media is a term that refers to various online platforms and applications that allow users to create and share content, interact with others, and participate in online communities. Some of the most popular social media platforms are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Social media has become an integral part of modern life, influencing various aspects of society, culture, politics, and economy. However, social media also poses some challenges and risks for its users, especially for their mental health and well-being."

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Ali Derahvasht

TESL- PhD at University of Malaya
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To me, a very important segment of the Introduction chapter is the SOP, around which other parts are organised. SOP, or the statement of the problem, comprises 3 short paragraphs: 1- What has been done around this topic before (explored through review of literature), 2- What has not been done so far, or the gap in knowledge (explored through review of literature), and finally 3- How is my study going to fill the gap (mostly inspired by the methodology). If your SOP is written rigorously well, you will have a very good stance to conduct your study and at the end, produce a valuable report (your thesis).

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3 Narrow down your focus

Once you have provided some background information on your topic and problem, you need to narrow down your focus and specify your research question and objectives. This is where you state the main purpose and aim of your research, and what you hope to achieve or contribute to the existing knowledge. You should also mention any hypotheses or assumptions that you have made in relation to your research question. For example, following the social media example, you could narrow down your focus like this:

"The main question that this thesis aims to answer is: How does social media use affect the mental health of young adults in the UK? To address this question, this thesis has the following objectives: 1) To review the existing literature on the relationship between social media use and mental health; 2) To conduct a survey and interviews with young adults who use social media regularly; 3) To analyse the data and identify the patterns, themes, and factors that influence the mental health outcomes of social media use; and 4) To provide some recommendations and implications for future research and practice. The main hypothesis of this thesis is that social media use has both positive and negative effects on mental health, depending on the frequency, duration, content, and context of use."

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Dr. Mamta Chawla

Managment Learner
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while setting the context, the emphasis should be given to defining the limits of the research work as well- major concept/ geographical/ demographical limits/ focus. that would set the expectations of the reader while highlighting the iota of the contribution of the work towards the field/ discipline

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4 Outline your structure

The final part of your introduction is to outline the structure and organisation of your thesis. This is where you give a brief overview of the main chapters and sections of your thesis, and explain how they are connected and sequenced. This will help your readers to follow your argument and understand the logic and flow of your research. You should also indicate the scope and limitations of your research, and acknowledge any ethical or practical issues that you have encountered or addressed. For example, concluding the social media example, you could outline your structure like this:

"This thesis consists of six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the topic and problem, and provides the background, research question, objectives, hypothesis, and structure of the thesis. Chapter 2 reviews the relevant literature on social media use and mental health, and identifies the theoretical and conceptual frameworks that inform the research. Chapter 3 describes the research methodology, design, and methods, and explains how the data was collected and analysed. Chapter 4 presents the findings and results of the data analysis, and discusses the main themes and patterns that emerged from the data. Chapter 5 discusses the implications and significance of the findings and results, and compares them with the existing literature and theory. Chapter 6 concludes the thesis by summarising the main points, answering the research question, evaluating the research, and suggesting some recommendations and directions for future research and practice. The thesis also includes a list of references, appendices, and a glossary. The scope of this thesis is limited to young adults aged 18 to 25 who use social media regularly in the UK. The main ethical and practical issues that were considered and addressed in this research were informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity, data protection, and online safety."

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Pavlos Georgiadis

Program Manager, Forests for Life Partnership at Wildlife Conservation Society
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By weaving together theoretical sources from various disciplines, your research gains depth and a unique perspective. Highlighting a multidisciplinary approach not only showcases your ability to synthesise diverse ideas, but also underscores the relevance and applicability of your work in addressing complex, real-world problems. Explaining how your research draws inputs from diverse theoretical foundations establishes a strong intellectual framework, while demonstrating that you are not only building upon existing knowledge but also extending it by adapting tools and methods from different domains. This approach not only captures the reader's attention but also sets the stage for an intellectually stimulating and impactful thesis.

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How do you write a thesis introduction that grabs attention?

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1 Start with a hook

2 Provide some background

3 Narrow down your focus

4 Outline your structure

5 Here’s what else to consider

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