How to Start a Dissertation: Introduction Writing Guide
We are often excited to write our essays until that frustrating moment when you find yourself gazing at a blank computer, unsure of how to start your dissertation. You are not alone in wondering how to start writing a dissertation.
For many students, the dissertation introduction is the most difficult chapter to write. To assist you get beyond the common roadblocks that many students have when writing their dissertation opening, this post will highlight some recommendations for starting a dissertation.
How to pick a dissertation topic
The most significant influence on your writing process is topic choice. Choosing a complex topic may cause you to become stuck in the middle of your writing process or make conducting research difficult owing to resource limits.
A shallow or popular topic may also restrict your arguments, resulting in plagiarism. Ideally, choose a topic that will allow you to offer new insight into an issue in your area and that can be addressed with the resources you have at your disposal.
When it comes to topic selection:
- Research the emerging issues on a topic
A topic that has been thoroughly researched may limit your arguments and cause you to rely too heavily on that study. Preferably, explore current difficulties in your sector to uncover places where you may investigate and provide unique insights.
- Read extensively on the topic
When you’ve finished your research, pick a subject that interests you and look for sources that pertain to your specialty. Avoid themes with few sources because the lack of reliable evidence may make your claims appear to be opinions.
When reading about your subject, outline the main points you have chosen for each chapter. It’s crucial to evaluate the information at hand during this stage and find any gaps your essay could need to fill.
- Outline
An outline is a valuable tool for determining the viability of a topic by assessing your arguments and how each idea in your paper has been developed. Outline and develop each concept before deciding on a topic for your dissertation.
If you find your topic restricting in some areas, consider altering your focus to a more manageable issue.
How to write an introduction for a dissertation
Any student will tell you that writing the opening is the most difficult element of writing an essay. This is frequently a result of unfamiliarity with the subject and doubt about the thoughts to present in this section.
Some pointers on how to begin a dissertation are as follows:
- Work on the other sections of your dissertation, leaving the introduction until you are thoroughly familiar with the subject.
- Plan your introduction and select the appropriate hook to highlight the significance of your research.
- Examining the literature review to determine the research gaps you have available to you
- Specify the primary research questions that guided your research as well as the dissertation’s principal theme.
How to start a dissertation introduction
The key ingredient for a successful introduction is the hook. However, not all hooks cut for a great introduction for your essay. Some of the hooks to consider for your dissertation include:
- Rhetorical questions
Rhetorical questions are an excellent method to begin your paper by piquing your readers’ curiosity and eliciting their understanding of why you posed the question in the first place. To stimulate thought in your reader, utilize open-ended questions.
You might begin by composing a statement pertinent to your subject and then build your rhetorical inquiry from it.
- Statistics and facts
Factual data and statistics are excellent tools for demonstrating the scope of a topic. Particularly startling or alarming statistics can emphasize the significance of a thesis issue in an opening couple of words. The information you choose for your essay should highlight how important the subject is and pique the reader’s interest.
- Stating the problem
A wonderful technique to help your reader understand the gravity of a research challenge is to introduce the problem at the beginning of your dissertation. When possible, keep the issue straightforward and address it in the first few phrases of the chapter.
Dissertation introduction template
- Introduction (2-3 pages)
- Hook
- Significance of subject
- Background
- Theoretical framework
- Problem statement
- Research questions
- Hypothesis
