The introduction of your thesis
The introduction is the first impression your readers get of your work. It sparks interest, introduces the topic, and provides an overview of the most important aspects.
Why is the introduction important?
The introduction is a crucial part of your thesis, as it makes readers curious and gives them a clear overview of your topic, your motivation, and the goal of your work. It should pique interest and prepare readers for the main body.
- Topic introduction: The introduction introduces the topic and provides a first overview.
- Goal and Relevance: It shows the relevance of the topic and presents the main goals of the work.
- Motivation: The introduction should clarify your motivation and the scientific significance.
Content of the introduction
A good introduction consists of several building blocks that together provide a comprehensive overview of your work. You should cover these parts in your introduction:
- Initial situation & Topic presentation: Give an exciting introduction to the topic and explain the research subject.
- Relevance of the topic & Motivation: Justify why your topic is important and what personal or scientific reasons motivated you.
- Problem description and delimitation: Define the specific problem and delimit the topic to clarify the focus of your work.
- Objectives & Method: Clearly state what you want to achieve and what methodological approaches you are using.
- Structure of the work: Explain the structural organization of your work to the readers so that they get an overview.
Components of a successful introduction
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Initial situation & topic presentation | Provide an initial insight into the topic and explain the current state of research. |
| Relevance & Motivation | Show why the topic is relevant and what motivated you to pursue it. |
| Problem description & delimitation | Formulate the specific problem and delimit it thematically to clarify the focus. |
| Objectives & Method | Explain what goals you are pursuing and what methods you have applied. |
| Structure of the work | Give an overview of the structure of your work so that the reader knows what to expect. |
Tips for a successful introduction
The introduction gives your readers the first impression of your work and should therefore be clear and interesting. Here are some tips on how to write your introduction effectively:
- Write the introduction at the end: Since the introduction summarizes the entire work, it makes sense to write it only after completing the main part.
- Start with an interesting beginning: An exciting introduction (e.g., provocative questions, quotes, or statistics) will pique your readers' interest.
- Write precisely and clearly: Keep it brief, but make sure all important information is included.
- Avoid Results: The introduction should only present the context and objectives of your work, but not anticipate any results.
To note
There are some essential points to consider when creating the introduction to your thesis:
- Scope: The introduction should comprise 5-10% of the overall work.
- Tense: Write the introduction in the present tense when making current statements. Use the perfect or past tense for past events.
- No Results: Avoid presenting results in the introduction. These belong in the main body and the conclusion.