Introduction Reading Guide 1. An Introduction should have the following structure: (select one) a. starts with general information and becomes more specific (broad -> focused) b. starts with specific information and becomes more general (focused > broad) 2. Swales (1990) divides the Introduction into three main components and Heard divides each of those into two sub-components. What are the 6 sub-components ?: (to make sure you understand what each sub-component actually is, it might be helpful to try to paraphrase these in your own words) Component 1. Define a research territory. 1a. General context of the work 1b. Narrower research area and statement of its importance Component 2. Establish a niche within the research territory. 2a. Identification of a gap or other need for research 2b. Specific research question meeting the identified need Component 3. Occupy the niche. 3a. Summary of approach to answer the research question 3b. Announcement of principal finding 3. Component 1: (fill in the blank) Providing a general context and then narrowing into your specific topic establishes the breath of your work. In other words, you are explaining why you're conducting your study/experiment and why your reader should be interested in your findings. Note: Heard indicates that the breadth of your Introduction depends on your target journal. It's true of all writing that you must consider who your audience (readers) will be and how much they might already know about your topic. For this course, your peers (classmates) will usually be considered your audience.
4. Component 2: Heard lists four possible research "niches", which are: 1. Pointing out a gap in our knowledge of a topic 2. Noting an apparent contradiction in the literature 3. Or published claim that's vulnerable to new information 4. Identifying rival theoretical models that can be distinguished by new data Note: The purpose of most of the Biology papers you'll read will likely be to fill in a gap in knowledge. In order to determine where there is a gap in knowledge, a literature search is conducted. 5. Component 3: To conclude your introduction section: (select all that apply) a. you should outline your experimental methodology in detail b. you should summarize your experimental approach c. you should list all of your results d. you may indicate your key result(s)