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{{short description|Beginning section which states the purpose and goals of the following writing}}
{{short description|Beginning section which states the purpose and goals of the following writing}}
{{redirect|Prolegomenon}}
{{redirect|Prolegomenon}}
{{refimprove|date=February 2020}}
[[File:In Flanders Fields (1921) intro 1.png|thumb|First page, introduction to ''[[In Flanders Fields]]'']]
[[File:In Flanders Fields (1921) intro 1.png|thumb|First page, introduction to ''[[In Flanders Fields]]'']]
In an [[essay]], [[Article (publishing)|article]], or [[book]], an '''introduction''' (also known as a '''prolegomenon''') is a beginning section which states the purpose and goals of the following writing. This is generally followed by the body and conclusion.
In an [[essay]], [[Article (publishing)|article]], or [[book]], an '''introduction''' (also known as a '''prolegomenon''') is a beginning section which states the purpose and goals of the following writing. This is generally followed by the [[body text|body]] and conclusion.


==Common features and techniques==
The introduction typically describes the scope of the document and gives a brief explanation or summary of the document. It may also explain certain elements that are important to the essay. The readers can have an idea about the following text before they actually start reading it.
The introduction typically describes the scope of the document and gives a brief explanation or a summary of the document. It may also explain certain elements that are important to the document. The readers can thus have an idea about the following text before they actually start reading it.


The [[University of Toronto]] provides advice about how to write essays:<ref name=Toronto>{{cite web|title=Introductions and Conclusions|url=http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/intros-and-conclusions|publisher=University of Toronto|author1=Leora Freedman|author2=Jerry Plotnick}}</ref>
In a book of [[technical writing]], the introduction may include one or more standard subsections: [[abstract (summary)|abstract]] or summary, [[preface]], acknowledgments, and [[foreword]]. Alternatively, the section labeled ''introduction'' itself may be a brief section found along with abstract, foreword, etc. (rather than containing them). In this case, the set of sections that come before the body of the book is known as the '''front matter'''. When the book is divided into numbered chapters, by convention the introduction and any other front-matter sections are unnumbered and precede chapter 1.


<blockquote>A good introduction should identify your topic, provide essential context, and indicate your particular focus in the essay. It also needs to engage your readers’ interest.</blockquote>
Keeping the concept of the introduction the same, different documents have different styles to introduce the written text. For example, the introduction of a Functional Specification consists of information that the whole document is yet to explain. If a Userguide is written, the introduction is about the product. In a report, the introduction gives a summary of the report's contents.


Some authors write their introduction first, while others prefer to leave it for a later stage in the writing process; another option is to start with a rough draft introduction, and then come back to finish it after the [[body text]] is done.<ref name=Toronto />
Not all introductions are alike, and not all of them include summaries. For example, the ''[[American Journal of Physics]]'' (AJP) specifically advises authors that an introduction “need not summarize”. Instead, the introduction can provide “background and context”, and/or indicate “purpose and importance”, and/or describe the raison d'être for an article (i.e. motivation) in a way that is “informative and inviting”. But the introduction need not summarize or even state the main points of the rest of an article.<ref name=AJP>[https://www.aapt.org/Publications/AJP/Contributors/Formatting_the_manuscript.cfm “For Contributors - Formatting the Manuscript”], [[American Journal of Physics]]. Retrieved 28 Jul 2022.</ref> In contrast to the introduction, the [[Abstract (summary)|abstract]] should do the job of summarizing an article, according to AJP.<ref name=AJP />

==Introductions sometimes have subsections==
In a book of [[technical writing]], the introduction may include one or more standard subsections: [[abstract (summary)|abstract]] or summary, [[preface]], acknowledgments, and [[foreword]]. Alternatively, the section labeled ''introduction'' itself may be a brief section found along with abstract, foreword, etc. (rather than containing them). In this case, the set of sections that come before the body of the book is known as the [[Book design#Front matter|front matter]]. When the book is divided into numbered chapters, by convention the introduction and any other front-matter sections are unnumbered and precede chapter 1.

==Styles vary while the concept remains the same==
While keeping the general concept of the introduction the same, different documents have different styles to introduce the written text. For example, the introduction of a Functional Specification consists of information that the whole document is yet to explain. If a Userguide is written, the introduction is about the product. In a report, the introduction gives a summary of the report's contents.

==Introductions often summarize but not always==
Not all introductions include summaries. For example, the ''[[American Journal of Physics]]'' (''AJP'') specifically advises authors that an introduction “need not summarize”. Instead, the introduction can provide “background and context”, and/or indicate “purpose and importance”, and/or describe the raison d'être for an article (i.e. motivation) in a way that is “informative and inviting”. But the introduction need not summarize or even state the main points of the rest of an article.<ref name=AJP>{{Cite web|title=For Contributors - Formatting the Manuscript|publisher=[[American Journal of Physics]]|url=https://www.aapt.org/Publications/AJP/Contributors/Formatting_the_manuscript.cfm|access-date=2023-01-11}}</ref> In contrast to the introduction, the [[Abstract (summary)|abstract]] should do the job of summarizing an article, according to ''AJP''.<ref name=AJP />

It is not difficult to find other examples of journals that do recommend for introductions to include summaries. Consider the journal ''[[Biochemistry (journal)|Biochemistry]]'', whose editors write the following (emphasis added):<ref>{{Cite web|title=Author Guidelines|publisher=[[American Chemical Society]]|url=https://publish.acs.org/publish/author_guidelines?coden=bichaw#journal_scope|access-date=2023-01-11}}</ref>

<blockquote>The Introduction should state the motivation for the investigation and its relationship to other work in the field. Extensive reviews of the literature should be avoided. The last paragraph of the introduction ''should summarize'' the major findings, conclusions, and significance of the work, without reproducing the abstract.</blockquote>

So practice varies from journal to journal, as to whether introductions should include summaries.


== See also ==
== See also ==
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==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
* {{cite web|title=Introductions and Conclusions|url=http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/planning-and-organizing/intros-and-conclusions|publisher=University of Toronto|author1=Leora Freedman|author2=Jerry Plotnick}}


{{Book structure}}
{{Book structure}}

Latest revision as of 16:15, 2 June 2023

First page, introduction to In Flanders Fields

In an essay, article, or book, an introduction (also known as a prolegomenon) is a beginning section which states the purpose and goals of the following writing. This is generally followed by the body and conclusion.

Common features and techniques[edit]

The introduction typically describes the scope of the document and gives a brief explanation or a summary of the document. It may also explain certain elements that are important to the document. The readers can thus have an idea about the following text before they actually start reading it.

The University of Toronto provides advice about how to write essays:[1]

A good introduction should identify your topic, provide essential context, and indicate your particular focus in the essay. It also needs to engage your readers’ interest.

Some authors write their introduction first, while others prefer to leave it for a later stage in the writing process; another option is to start with a rough draft introduction, and then come back to finish it after the body text is done.[1]

Introductions sometimes have subsections[edit]

In a book of technical writing, the introduction may include one or more standard subsections: abstract or summary, preface, acknowledgments, and foreword. Alternatively, the section labeled introduction itself may be a brief section found along with abstract, foreword, etc. (rather than containing them). In this case, the set of sections that come before the body of the book is known as the front matter. When the book is divided into numbered chapters, by convention the introduction and any other front-matter sections are unnumbered and precede chapter 1.

Styles vary while the concept remains the same[edit]

While keeping the general concept of the introduction the same, different documents have different styles to introduce the written text. For example, the introduction of a Functional Specification consists of information that the whole document is yet to explain. If a Userguide is written, the introduction is about the product. In a report, the introduction gives a summary of the report's contents.

Introductions often summarize but not always[edit]

Not all introductions include summaries. For example, the American Journal of Physics (AJP) specifically advises authors that an introduction “need not summarize”. Instead, the introduction can provide “background and context”, and/or indicate “purpose and importance”, and/or describe the raison d'être for an article (i.e. motivation) in a way that is “informative and inviting”. But the introduction need not summarize or even state the main points of the rest of an article.[2] In contrast to the introduction, the abstract should do the job of summarizing an article, according to AJP.[2]

It is not difficult to find other examples of journals that do recommend for introductions to include summaries. Consider the journal Biochemistry, whose editors write the following (emphasis added):[3]

The Introduction should state the motivation for the investigation and its relationship to other work in the field. Extensive reviews of the literature should be avoided. The last paragraph of the introduction should summarize the major findings, conclusions, and significance of the work, without reproducing the abstract.

So practice varies from journal to journal, as to whether introductions should include summaries.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Leora Freedman; Jerry Plotnick. "Introductions and Conclusions". University of Toronto.
  2. ^ a b "For Contributors - Formatting the Manuscript". American Journal of Physics. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  3. ^ "Author Guidelines". American Chemical Society. Retrieved 2023-01-11.