RESPONSE TO SWALES & FEAK (pp.173-217).

In this section, Swales and Feak provide information relating to constructing five parts usually found at the beginning of the research paper. These introduction sections set the stage for what is to follow, and go a long way to establishing the context of the work from the start. They then go into a discussion of grammatical considerations (such as the use of connectors and negative openings). I think the most important consideration when it comes to writing the introductory section of your research work should be to use language that creates a sense of urgency (some refer to this as ‘creating a hook’). Of course, many people begin writing without really knowing in which direction the writing will take them. This may require that the researcher writes a tentative introductory section which can always be revised at a later point. I’ve found this going back-and-forth to be a liberating way of continuously refining one’s thoughts.