Writing an Introduction

ELT 206
Dr. Hazel Jean M. Abejuela
 Introduction in RAs
Opening section of a research paper where
researchers engage in two kinds of competition:
competition for research space and
competition for readership

(Swales & Feak, 2004)

Bukidnon State University 22

 Organization of Introduction:
The CARS Model

Move 1
Establishing a Research Territory

Move 2
Establishing a Niche

Move 3
Occupying the Niche

3
Bukidnon State University 3
 Move 1
Establishing a Research Territory
Claim relevance, centrality, or interest of your research

Make topic generalization. Base this on the research title.

Cite the problems related to your topic. Cite baseline data (observation, statistics).

Discuss the efforts undertaken by DepEd to address the problem.

Introduce previous research on this topic .

44
Bukidnon State University
 Claiming Centrality
Opening Statements:
The increasing interest in has heightened the need for
Recently, there has been growing interest in
The possibility of has generated wide interest in
The development of is a persistent problem/issue
The has become a favorite topic for analysis
Knowledge of has become an important aspect of
A central issue in is
The has been extensively studied in recent years
Many recent studies have focused on

55
 Claiming Centrality
Opening Statements:
E1
Education has a central role to play in understanding and adapting to the
changing climate.
E2
Global warming or climate change and its consequences are among the most
pressing issue today.
E3
Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease, is considered a major health problem
worldwide.
E4
The Philippine Army soldiers have been an integral part of each community they
serve.
E5
Instructional materials influence instructional practices and students learning.
E6
Environmental education (EE) is a stepping stone towards the successful
conservation and protection of the environment and natural resources.
66
 Making Topic Generalization
Opening Statements:
E7
Bukidnon State University is proud of its teacher education flagship.
As a teacher training institution, teachers have to manifest the
characteristics of an effective teacher. They need to have a good academic
preparation, rich experiences and teaching background, knowledge of
content and teaching strategies.
E8
Vulnerability is a broad concept and could have diverse meanings as
defined in different context. Brooks (2003) averred that it can only be used
meaningfully with reference to particular vulnerable situations Moss,
Brenkert and Malone (2001) identified three dimensions of vulnerability to
climate change. These are the physical-environment dimensions

77
 Introducing Previous Research
Opening Statements:
E9
Recently, the relationship between theory of mind and word
learning has been investigated by various researchers. Research
shows that the mindreading that underlies word learning is due to a
general capacity to infer mental states. Following a line of
investigation, it has been found that

88
 Introducing Previous Research
Opening Statements:
E10
Other indices for gender equality had been proposed in the
past (Keynes,2009; Palmer,2010; Akaike, 2011) but each of the
counterproposals focused on a different aspect of gender equality.
Keynes(2009) considered gender equality in home decision-making
processes; Palmer (2010) addressed the issue of gender biases in
educational institutions; Aikake(2011) noted the gender biases in
social situations. A comprehensive, albeit, encompassing index of
gender equality is yet to be discovered

99
 Move 2
Establishing a Niche

Counter the claim(s) of previous research

Indicate a gap

Explain the importance of the study to your

school/district/division.

Raise a question

10
10
Bukidnon State University
 Counter-Claiming
However, the previously mentioned research has

concentrated on x. neglected to consider x.

disregarded x.
failed to consider x.
ignored x.
been limited to x.
overestimated x.
overlooked x.
been restricted to x.
suffered from x.
underestimated x.

11
11
 Counter-Claiming
Nevertheless, these attempts to establish a link between and are at
present

controversial questionable
incomplete unconvincing
inconclusive unsatisfactory
misguided

12
12
 Counter-Claiming

E11
However, as observed, the student teachers and supervising
instructors find it difficult to meet and plan activities that are based
on the background of the students.
E12
Although climate change is an important global concern, only
the specialists can accurately articulate the basic science of climate
change.

13
13
 Counter-Claiming

E13
However, some student teachers claim that they are not
properly inducted by some of their supervising instructors. They
have experienced confusion, miscommunication and frustration
which affected their student teaching experiences.

14
14
 Indicating a Gap
E 13
Climate change education has been taught for more
than a decade, but there seems to be a problem with the
internalization of these lessons into everyday environmental
practices.
E14
Yet, the implementation of a passive optical star has
some major synchronization problems
 Counter-Claiming

E15
It is evident from the cited studies that a comprehensive index
for gender equality has to take into consideration the
multidimensionality of a complex issue. In particular, a clear
definition of gender equality has to be made and from it evolve a
comprehensive indicator. Equality at home may not necessarily
translate into equality in the workplace nor in education institutions
but they do constitute parts of a more general construct called
gender equality. This is the primary focus of the present study.

16
16
 Raising a Question
E15
Currently, one of the most important open questions
about checkability is
 Move 3
Occupying the Niche

Outline purposes or objectives of

the present research

Indicate the structure

18
18
Bukidnon State University
References
Swales, J.M. and Feak, C.B. (2004). Academic writing for
graduate students: Essential tasks and Skills. USA: University
of Michigan Press.
Valdez, M.G. (Ed)(2010). Bukidnon State University Research
Journal, Vol.7.
Valdez, M.G. (Ed)(2011). Bukidnon State University Research
Journal, Vol.8.

Bukidnon State University 19

19
Development of Abstract and Introduction

Happy Writing!
Students Research Forum
on Scientific Writing for a Referred Journal
January 24, 2013
BSU Gymnasium

Bukidnon State University 20

20