Research article introductions are central to Creating Contexts: Writing across Genres with the CaRS (creating a research space) model used as a starting point. This volume focuses on introductions for other kinds of texts that are also part of the graduate student writing experience such as course papers and critiques, proposals, and dissertations.
This volume represents a revision and expansion of the material on introductions that appeared in English in Today's Research World.
The material presented in this volume is appropriate for graduate students and others already working in their chosen academic fields. The material has, in fact, been used with each of these groups in both writing courses and writing workshops. We believe that the material would also be suitable for those wishing to pursue a course of self-study. To target these different possible uses, we have included a variety of topics and tasks that we hope will deepen users’ understanding of how to create a writing context for their work. Tasks range from evaluating text commentaries to open-ended questions and have been designed to generate lively classroom or workshop discussion as well as thoughtful consideration by an individual user.
General Introduction to the Volumes ix
Introduction to the Introductions Volume xiii
Some Preliminary Considerations 1
When to Write the Introduction 1
The Overall Shape of an Introduction 3
Language Focus: Old to New Flow of Ideas 6
Points of Departure: Starting the Introduction 12
Introductions to Course Papers 17
Introductions to Book Reviews 27
Language Focus: As 29
Introductions to Critiques and Reviews of Journal Articles and Book Chapters 33
Introductions to Journal Articles 39
Why Cite the Literature? 50
The CaRS Model 56
Citation Practices 59
Language Focus: Highlighting Agreement and Disagreement 67
Language Focus: Expressing Agreement 68
Language Focus: Expressing Disagreement 69
Language Focus: Expressing Agreement and Disagreement 71
Establishing Your Stance 73
Highlighting the Need for Research: The Gap 79
Filling the Gap 84
Language Focus: Guiding Your Readers 86
Problem-Focused Introductions 88
Specific-General Introductions in the Humanities 96
Short Research Reports 99
Introductions to Proposals 101
Introductions to Dissertations 111
References 117
Overview
Research article introductions are central to Creating Contexts: Writing across Genres with the CaRS (creating a research space) model used as a starting point. This volume focuses on introductions for other kinds of texts that are also part of the graduate student writing experience such as course papers and critiques, proposals, and dissertations.
This volume represents a revision and expansion of the material on introductions that ...