Introduction Introduction - Establishing a Context Method Wu-Lin - - PDF document

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

1

Introduction

• Establishing a Context

PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY

College of Management

Wu-Lin Chen (wlchen@pu.edu.tw) Department of Computer Science and Information Management

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

2

Typical Sections of a Research Paper

Abstract Method Results Introduction Discussion

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

3

What is an Introduction?

• An introduction

– serves as an orientation for readers of the report – gives readers the perspective they need to understand the detailed information coming in later sections

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

4

Five Stages in the Introduction Section

• The introduction can be divided

into five stages

– Stage I: the setting – Stage II: already studied – Stage III: investigation needed – Stage IV: purpose – Stage V: value

General Specific

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

5

Five Stages

• Stage I (the setting): General statement(s) about a field of

research to provide the reader with a setting for the problem to be reported

– establish a context, or frame of reference – help readers understand how the research fits into a wider field of study

• Stage II (already studied): More specific statements

about the aspect of the problem already studied by other researchers

• Stage III (investigation needed): Statement(s) that

indicate the need for more investigation

• Stage IV (purpose): Very specific statement(s) giving the

purpose/objectives of the writer’s study

• Stage V (value): Optional statement(s) that give a value
• r justification for carrying out the study

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

6

Writing Up the Setting

• Start with obvious, generally accepted

statements about the area in which you are working

• Then, step by step, move the reader closer to

your specific topic

• For example:

– establishing a “universe” for your reader – isolating one “galaxy” within this universe – leading your readers to one “star” in the galaxy

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

7

Organization for the Setting

• Begin with accepted statements of fact

related to your general area (your “universe”) – use generic noun phrase

• Within the general area, identify one

subarea (your “galaxy” which includes your topic) – use specific noun phrase

• Indicate your topic (your “star”)

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

8

Writing Skills

• Link sentences by making use of old and

new information to lead readers smoothly through the ideas in Stage I

• Place old information (some facts have

been known to the reader) at the beginning of sentences

• Place new information at the end

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

9

Writing Skills (Cont.)

• Old/New information order

Plants obtain atmospheric CO2 required for photosynthesis by diffusion through open leaf stomata. Old New This process can create large water potential differences between the leaves and the soil surrounding the roots.

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

10

Language Conventions

• The setting starts with factual statements
• It is conventional to use nouns that refer to
• bjects or concepts at the highest possible

level of generality

• English offers several ways to construct

these general nouns

– Generic Noun Phrase – Specific Noun Phrase

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

11

Generic Noun Phrase

• In stead of referring to specific things, we often

refer to entire classes of things in the setting

• When you are write sentence that contain nouns

referring to an entire classes of things, you should use generic noun phrase to carry this meaning

• There are different ways to write generic noun

phrase

– Countable nouns – Uncountable nouns – Countable nouns with the

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

12

Generic Noun Phrase (Cont.)

• Countable nouns

– Alluvial diamonds are of consistently higher than diamonds recovered from source

• kimberlites. (Plural)

– A new diamond mine may take several years before coming into full production. (singular, meaning “any new diamond mine”)

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

13

Generic Noun Phrase (Cont.)

• Uncountable nouns

– Thirty years later, alluvial diamond production had more than double. (meaning “all alluvial diamond production”)

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

14

Generic Noun Phrase (Cont.)

• Countable nouns with the

– A countable noun in its singular form sometimes carries the generic meaning when used with the definite article the – It is often used when referring to living creature or familiar machinery and equipment – EX: The hummingbird can be found in all areas of North America. (meaning “hummingbirds in general”) – EX: The United States has experienced the integration of the computer into society. (meaning “computers in general”)

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

15

Specific Noun Phrase

• Used to refer to specific items and concepts in
• rder to move readers from general area toward

your specific topic

– i.e. nouns that refer to particular, individual members

• f a class rather to the class as a whole
• Nouns that refer to particular, individual

members of a class can be written in several ways

– Referring to assumed or shared information – Pointing back to old information – Pointing forward to specifying information

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

16

Specific Noun Phrase (Cont.)

• Referring to assumed or shared

information

– Use the definite article the if you assume your readers share knowledge of the specific thing you are referring to – EX: In recent years the growth of desert areas has been accelerating in the world.

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

17

Specific Noun Phrase (Cont.)

• Pointing back to old information

– Use the definite article the when referring to a specific thing which you have already mentioned (the first mention usually uses the indefinite article a/an) – EX: New Mexico Solar Energy Institute is developing a computerized diagnostic assistant for solar domestic hot water systems. The computer- implemented assistant will be used at naval shore facilities throughout the world.

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

18

Specific Noun Phrase (Cont.)

• Pointing forward to specifying information

– Use the definite article the when the specific meaning is made clear in a following phrase

• r clause

– EX: The gas which is produced in the western states is used primarily for home heating.

Technical Writing S03

Providence University

19

Guidelines for Making Generic and Specific Noun Phrase

• Is the noun meant in a general or a

specific sense?

– If it is specific, use “the” before the noun. If it is general, ask yourself a following question:

• Is the noun countable or uncountable?

– If it is countable, use a or an (singular) or –s

• n the end (plural). If it is uncountable, use

no article or –s ending.