How to write an introduction for a research paper

Writing a research paper’s introduction can feel like a lot of work, whether you’re a bachelor’s student tackling your first academic assignment or a PhD candidate working on a dissertation. This section sets the tone for your entire paper. It introduces your topic, explains its relevance, and leads to your research question or thesis. A strong introduction grabs the reader’s attention and shows your understanding of the subject and the broader academic context.

To write a practical introduction, start with a clear hook or opening statement that draws interest. Provide just enough background to help readers understand the significance of your study, then clearly state your research problem, objectives, or hypothesis. Whether your paper is short or extensive, a well-written introduction helps guide the reader and lays the groundwork for the rest of your work.

What is a research paper introduction?

A research paper introduction is the first section of your paper that introduces your topic and sets the stage for your entire study. It gives readers a clear idea of your research, why the topic is essential, and what specific problem or question you’re trying to solve. This section also explains the purpose of your research and often ends with a strong thesis statement or research objective.

In short, the introduction answers three key questions:

1. What is the topic?

2. Why does it matter?

3. What will this paper do or prove?

What is the Purpose of an Introduction Section?

The purpose of the introduction section in a research paper is to prepare the reader for what’s to come by presenting the study’s topic, context, and focus. It acts as a roadmap that helps readers understand the significance of your research and how it fits into the broader academic conversation.

Here’s what the introduction is meant to do:

1. Introduce the topic – Clearly state what your paper is about.

2. Provide background information – Give context so readers understand the issue.

3. Highlight the research problem or question – Define what gap or issue your study addresses.

4. Explain the purpose and objectives – Show what you aim to achieve with your research.

5. Present the thesis or hypothesis – Summarize the central argument or expected outcome.

How to start an introduction of a research paper

1. Write an Engaging Opening Sentence

Begin with a sentence that immediately captures your attention and introduces your general topic. This “hook” can take many forms:

• A striking statistic that illustrates the scope of the issue (“Over 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year.”)

• A provocative question that invites reflection (“What happens to our bodies of water when plastic pollution goes unchecked?”)

• A brief anecdote or scenario that personalizes the problem (“Last summer, I watched a sea turtle struggle to free itself from a discarded fishing net.”)

• A relevant quotation from a leading authority or classic text (“‘We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children,’ as Chief Seattle famously observed.”)

You set an informative and engaging tone by choosing a hook that resonates with your topic and audience.

2. Set the Context with Background Information

Once you’ve drawn readers in, provide enough context so they understand why the topic matters. Summarize key developments, highlight primary debates, or outline essential definitions. Aim to answer questions such as:

• How has this issue evolved?

• Which scholars or studies have shaped current understanding?

• What terms or concepts need clarification before diving deeper?

Keep this section concise enough to orient your readers without overwhelming them.

3. Identify the Research Gap or Problem

With the broader context, narrow your focus to the specific problem your paper addresses. Describe what’s missing or insufficient in existing literature. For example:

• “Although numerous studies quantify plastic pollution, few examine the effectiveness of community-led cleanup initiatives.”

• “Previous research has focused on industrial sources of microplastics, but the role of consumer behaviour remains underexplored.”

By clearly articulating this gap, you justify the need for your study and demonstrate its contribution to the field.

4. Articulate Your Research Objectives or Thesis Statement

End your introduction by stating precisely what your paper will accomplish. This can be a concise thesis statement or research questions or objectives. A strong statement will:

• Be specific (“This paper investigates the impact of household recycling programs on coastal plastic levels.”)

• Be measurable (“We analyze data from five coastal cities over ten years.”)

• Highlight significance (“Findings will inform policy recommendations for local governments.”)

How to write a research paper introduction

Writing a strong research paper introduction involves guiding your reader from a broad context into the specific focus of your study. Follow these steps to write an effective opening section,

1. Clarify the Purpose and Audience
   Before you write, remind yourself who will read your paper (professors, peers, experts) and why. An introduction for a general audience needs more background, while a specialized journal article can assume familiarity with key concepts.

2. Open with a Compelling Hook
   Grab attention with one of the following:

   • A striking statistic or fact (“Over 8 million tons of plastic enter oceans annually.”)

   • A provocative question (“What if your daily coffee cup is polluting marine ecosystems?”)

   • A brief, relevant anecdote or scenario (“Last summer, volunteers found microplastics in every scoop of beach sand.”)

   • A pertinent quotation from an authority

3. Provide Focused Background

Summarize the state of research or historical developments related to your topic in 2–4 sentences. Define any specialized terms and mention major studies or theories, but keep this section concise enough to orient your reader.

• Identify the Research Gap or Problem
  Clearly state what’s missing, underexplored, or contested in the existing literature. For example:

  “Although numerous studies quantify plastic pollution, few assess the long‑term effectiveness of community cleanup programs.”

• State Your Objectives and Thesis
  End with a precise statement of what your paper will do or demonstrate. A thesis or hypothesis should be specific, measurable, and tied to your identified gap. For instance:

  “This paper evaluates the impact of monthly beach cleanups on local microplastic concentrations, using data collected from five coastal towns over ten years.”

• (Optional) Preview the Structure
  In longer papers or dissertations, you may include a brief roadmap: “Section 2 reviews relevant theories; Section 3 describes methods; Section 4 presents results; Section 5 discusses implications.”

Research Paper Introduction Example

Example 1: AI and Ethics: Can artificial intelligence make unbiased decisions?

Modern society allows Artificial Intelligence (AI) to act as a choice-maker by implementing airport facial recognition programs and algorithmic court sentencing decisions. AI systems that present themselves as efficient and objective systems have begun to handle choices that influence important human matters. AI’s insistence on delivering indifferent choices presents a grave moral issue because we must understand whether machines merely transfer preexisting human biases.

IA has more than theoretical bias issues because the problem exists in real-world situations. Recent examples of discriminative hiring algorithms, together with racially biased facial recognition systems, expose AI systems as biased entities that significantly worsen problematic biases when they are supposed to reduce them. The technical issues that these mistakes represent also function as moral indications. AI systems automatically perpetuate human-created biases since they are products of human developers and data trainers deployed through existing human systems with built-in sociological uniqueness.

This research paper examines ethical beliefs about AI development while disproving that technology can exist beyond human moral frameworks. Researchers combine knowledge from machine learning with moral philosophy and critical data studies to study how bias enters AI systems and determine the technical and ethical limitations of removing human values from algorithms. Modern data-driven society relies on this question for survival since its existence depends on the answer.

Analysis of Example 1 

Hook

“Modern society allows Artificial Intelligence (AI) to act as a choice-maker by implementing airport facial recognition programs and algorithmic court sentencing decisions.”

• Analysis:
  This sentence is a compelling hook. It immediately presents real-world, high-stakes examples of AI in decision-making, airport security, and court sentencing. These are emotionally charged and impactful areas, likely to grab the reader’s attention by raising concern or curiosity.

Context/Background

“AI systems that present themselves as efficient and objective systems have begun to handle choices that influence important human matters. AI’s insistence on delivering indifferent choices presents a grave moral issue because we must understand whether machines merely transfer preexisting human biases.”

• Analysis:
  These lines serve as background information, transitioning from the hook into the broader problem. Though perceived as objective, the text introduces the idea that AI may inherit or amplify human bias. This primes the reader to view AI through a critical ethical lens.

Problem Statement

“IA has more than theoretical bias issues because the problem exists in real-world situations…”

• Analysis:
  Here, the author moves from abstract to concrete examples—biased hiring algorithms and facial recognition. This strengthens the argument by illustrating that the issue isn’t hypothetical but demonstrably real. It introduces a clear problem: the ethical risks of using biased AI in decision-making.

Thesis Statement

“This research paper examines ethical beliefs about AI development while disproving that technology can exist beyond human moral frameworks.”

• Analysis:
  This is the central thesis. It clearly states the purpose: to challenge the assumption that AI is morally neutral and to explore how ethics intersect with machine learning. This gives direction to the entire paper.

Signposting & Scope

“Researchers combine knowledge from machine learning with moral philosophy and critical data studies… determine the technical and ethical limitations…”

• Analysis:
  This section previews the approach and scope. This indicates that the paper will combine interdisciplinary perspectives to analyze AI bias and set the expectation for a deep dive into technical and ethical dimensions.

Closing Impact Statement

“Modern data-driven society relies on this question for survival since its existence depends on the answer.”

• Analysis:
  This is a powerful closing to the introduction, raising the stakes. It emphasizes the urgency and significance of addressing the issue, framing it as essential to society’s future.

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FAQ 

1. What is the primary purpose of the introduction?

The introduction establishes your topic, explains its importance, and presents the problem or question your paper addresses. It guides readers from a general context into your unique contribution, setting expectations for the rest of your study.

2. How long should my introduction be?

Aim for roughly 10–15% of your total paper length. For a 5,000‑word article, a 500–750‑word introduction is typical; for shorter assignments, 1–2 well‑crafted paragraphs often suffice.

3. What makes a compelling “hook”?

A hook can be a surprising statistic, a provocative question, a brief anecdote, or an authoritative quotation. Its role is to spark curiosity and demonstrate relevance—choose the form that best aligns with your discipline and audience.

4. How much background information should I include?

Provide enough context (2–4 sentences) to orient readers: key definitions, landmark studies, or significant debates. Avoid deep literature reviews here; those belong in your Literature Review or Background section.

5. How do I identify and articulate the research gap?

Survey existing literature to find what’s underexplored or contested. Then state it clearly—e.g., “While X has been well studied, little is known about Y under Z conditions.” This gap justifies your study’s necessity.

6. What should my thesis or objective statement look like?

It should be specific, measurable, and directly tied to your identified gap. For example:

“This paper evaluates how monthly community cleanups influence microplastic levels on three urban beaches over five years.”

7. Should I preview the structure of my paper?

In shorter papers, a roadmap isn’t necessary. In longer works (theses, dissertations), a brief outline (“Section 2 reviews… Section 3 describes…”) helps readers navigate your argument.

8. When is the best time to write the introduction?

Many writers draft a preliminary introduction early to clarify the focus, then revisit and revise it after completing the main body, ensuring alignment with their final findings and arguments.

9. How can I revise and polish my introduction?

Check for clarity, logical flow, and conciseness. Ensure each sentence moves the reader forward from hook to background to gap to thesis and trim any redundant or off‑topic material.

10. What are common pitfalls to avoid?

• Overly broad openings that lack focus

• Excessive jargon without definitions

• Lengthy literature summaries instead of a concise gap statement

• Weak or vague thesis statements that don’t guide your paper