Key Takeaways: Your introduction is the first impression of your thesis. It should place your topic in the appropriate context, present the research problem, clearly define your research focus and scope, explain the relevance and significance of your work, state your central research questions and objectives, and provide an overview of the structure of your thesis — all in a way that motivates your readers to continue reading.
Table of Contents
Introduction
"The beginning is the most important part of the work"
Plato, ca. 375 B.C.E., The Republic, Book II, 377b
Plato’s observation is not only relevant to philosophy but also to academic writing. In a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral thesis—as well as in a CAS, DAS, MAS, or MBA thesis—the introduction is far more than a formal requirement or a brief preview of the content. It is the chapter that sets the framework for the entire work: it shapes how your research is understood and often determines whether it is approached with trust or with scepticism from the very beginning.
A strong introduction goes far beyond simply describing what you are going to do or have already done. At Delta Lektorat, we regularly see well-researched theses undermined by introductions that are overly generic, poorly structured, or misaligned with the final manuscript. This guide distils our editorial experience into a practical framework for writing an introduction that is clear, persuasive, and academically sound. By the end of this article, you will understand what common pitfalls to avoid and how to structure the opening of your thesis, so that it effectively supports your work as a whole.
Writing the Introduction: Key Elements and Common Pitfalls
Before you start writing your introduction, think of it this way: The introduction answers the question, “Why is this research important, and what will the reader learn?”
A strong introductory chapter includes the following key elements:
- Situating the topic and its context: Introduce the subject area and place it within its academic, social, or practical context.
- Explaining relevance and significance: Show why the topic is important and why an in-depth examination is worthwhile.
- Defining the problem statement: Clearly identify the specific problem, uncertainty, or research gap from which the study arises.
- Defining and delimiting the research focus: Specify what the study concentrates on and which aspects are deliberately excluded.
- Formulating the research question: Derive a precise research question from the problem statement that reflects the central aim of the study.
- Formulating hypotheses (optional): Present testable assumptions if a hypothesis-driven approach is being used.
- Stating the objectives: Describe the goals of the study and the contribution it aims to make.
- Outlining the methodological approach (optional): Provide a brief overview of the methods used to guide the reader.
- Explaining the structure of the thesis: Briefly introduce the chapters and show how they work together to address the research question.
In addition, the introduction can open with a striking first sentence or a suitable quotation to immediately engage the reader. What is crucial is to return to this idea in the conclusion, thereby creating a coherent thematic frame for the entire paper.
Engaging Readers from Start to Finish: Introduction-to-Conclusion Strategy
Pro tip: Start the introduction with a fitting quotation and revisit this idea in the conclusion.
Introduction: “Political decisions have their greatest impact where those who are affected by them the longest are given a voice” (source).
Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore that effective climate policy can only succeed in the long term if young people — as emphasised at the outset — are systematically included in political decision-making processes.
At the end, you should be sure to avoid these common pitfalls:
Do’s: | Don’ts: | • Use a concise opening (e.g., a sentence or quotation) to capture the reader’s interest. • Clearly situate the topic and its context so readers understand what the work is about. • Explain the relevance of your research in a concrete and comprehensible way. • Formulate the problem statement precisely and derive your research questions from it. • Define an overarching research question and clearly present the objectives of the study. • Explain the structure of the thesis and show the internal logic connecting the chapters. | • Including an extensive literature review in the introduction. • Presenting results, interpretations, or conclusions in advance. • Formulating too many research questions or objectives. • Making general statements about the importance of the topic without justification. • Choosing a focus that is too broad or inconsistent. • Leaving the introduction unchanged even though the focus or results have evolved. |
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A strong introduction is more than a formality. It reflects careful thinking, academic rigour, and a clear alignment with the goals of your work. Furthermore, make sure that your introduction complies with the specific requirements of your university or academic department.
Use this checklist to ensure that your introduction covers all essential elements:
Checklist for your Introduction
Why Many Researchers Write the Introduction Last
Although the introduction appears first, many experienced researchers write it last. This is not procrastination; it is strategy. Once your analysis, results, and discussion are complete, you will have a precise understanding of:
- What your study contributes
- How narrow or broad is your scope
- Which research questions were central, and which were secondary
Writing the introduction at this stage allows you to present your work accurately and confidently. From an editorial perspective, Delta Lektorat frequently encounters introductions that no longer match the final thesis. Research questions shift, methods evolve, and conclusions sharpen, but the introduction remains unchanged. We advise students that revisiting and revising the introduction as the final step is essential for internal consistency. If writer’s block or perfectionism is an issue, it can still be helpful to draft a preliminary introduction early on. Be aware, however, that you may need to rewrite or substantially revise it later once your thesis is fully completed.
First and Last Impressions: The Importance of Intro and Conclusion
Pro tip: The introduction and conclusion must be 100% spot on.
Our experience at Delta Lektorat shows that many instructors pay particular attention to the introduction and conclusion chapters.
A Step-by-Step Guide with Example
A compelling introduction does not follow a random sequence but a clear internal logic. The overview below shows how the key elements of an introduction can be didactically structured into three sequential steps. A detailed overview can be found in the appendix of this article.
| Steps | Content Elements | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
|
Step 1: Clarify the starting point Guiding question: Why? |
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Create a shared frame of reference and justify the necessity of the study. |
|
Step 2: Present research question and objectives Guiding question: What? |
|
Clarify what exactly is being investigated and what the study aims to achieve. |
|
Step 3: Make approach and structure transparent Guiding question: How? |
|
Provide orientation regarding implementation, approach, and internal logic of the study. |
Ready to see this in action? Below is an illustrative example of a discussion that naturally flows through all steps (strongly condensed for demonstration purposes):
Concrete Example of an Introduction
[Step 1: Clarify the starting point (Why?)]
Situate the topic and context
“Political decisions have their greatest impact where those who are affected by them the longest have a say.” (Source)
School strikes, climate demonstrations, and political demands from young people have shaped public debate in recent years. This increasingly raises the question of what role young people play in political decision-making processes—especially in climate policy. Young people are increasingly acting as active participants in public environmental debates and demanding a say in political negotiations.
Explain relevance and significance
Given the long-term impact of climate policy decisions, it is both socially and politically important to understand how young people perceive and influence these processes. Previous studies have examined adolescents’ attitudes toward climate change (source), but their concrete engagement with political measures has been little explored.
Define the problem statement
There is thus a research gap regarding how young people not only think about climate policy but also how they interact concretely with national climate measures.
Define and delimit the research focus
This study focuses on students in Germany and examines their perceptions, attitudes, and forms of engagement in the context of national climate policy. International comparative perspectives are deliberately excluded.
[Step 2: Present the research question and objectives (What?)]
Formulate the research question
Against this background, the central research question of this study can be derived:
How do students in Germany engage in the context of national climate policy?
State the objectives
This study aims to investigate how students perceive governmental climate measures, the knowledge they possess about them, and how they demonstrate political engagement.
(Hypotheses are not formulated in this study, as an exploratory research approach is adopted.)
[Step 3: Make the approach and structure transparent (How?)]
Outline the methodological approach
To answer the research question, a mixed-methods approach is used, combining a standardized survey with guided interviews.
Explain the structure of the thesis
The introduction presents the topic, explains the relevance of the study, and formulates the central research question. Chapter 2 then provides an overview of the research on youth participation in climate policy. Chapter 3 describes the methodological approach employed in this study. Chapter 4 presents the empirical results, which are discussed in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 concludes the thesis by summarising the key findings and providing an outlook.
Using AI to Accelerate Your Introduction Writing
We could not leave AI out of this conversation, knowing that AI tools can help you refine your thoughts and draft clear, focused summaries. Here’s a ready-to-use AI mega prompt:
Mega Prompt for a Compelling Introduction
I am writing the introduction chapter of my [thesis/dissertation] in the field of [discipline]. Below, I provide the topic, background/context, research focus, research question, objectives, methodology, and an overview of the thesis structure. Please use this information to draft a coherent introduction that logically motivates my research, presents it in a clear and structured way, and encourages the reader to continue.
Instructions:
Structure the introduction according to a clear internal logic (Why – What – How):
1. Clarify the starting point (Why?)
- Situate the topic and context clearly and understandably.
- Explain the scientific, societal, or practical relevance of the study.
- Specify the central problem or research gap.
- Define the research focus and clearly delimit the scope of the study.
2. Present researchquestionand objectives (What?)
- Formulate a precise, overarching research question (and sub-questions if applicable).
- Clearly present the objectives of the study.
- Formulate hypotheses only if a hypothesis-testing approach is being used.
3. Make approach and structure transparent (How?)
- Briefly outline the methodological approach (in accordance with university guidelines).
- Explain the structure of the thesis and show how the chapters logically contribute to answering the research question.
Stylistic and Content Guidelines:
- Use clear, objective, and academic language.
- Avoid presenting results, interpretations, or conclusions in advance.
- Summarize literature only contextually (no full literature review).
- Optional: Start the introduction with a concise opening sentence or a thematically appropriate quotation.
- Maintain a consistent focus that aligns with the final thesis.
Background Information:
[Insert topic, background/context, research focus, research question(s), objectives, methodology, and overview of structure here.]
Several AI tools can support you on this journey. Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity all handle this prompt effectively, each with different strengths. Remember that the prompt gives you a starting point and ideas to build on, but AI drafts are just drafts. Your task is to revise the paragraphs so they match your voice and findings and truly reflect your own analysis.
When using AI in academic writing, make sure your approach aligns with the ethical expectations of your field. Start by reviewing your institution’s or publisher’s guidelines, as rules on AI use and disclosure can vary. If disclosure is required, clearly state that AI assisted in the drafting process and explain its role. Maintain full intellectual ownership by ensuring that all analysis, interpretation, and final conclusions are based on your own critical judgement rather than unverified AI output.
Conclusion
The introduction of your thesis is the first impression your research makes. By presenting the context, focus, research question, objectives, and structure clearly and carefully, you create a coherent framework that supports all subsequent chapters. Investing time and attention in this chapter ensures that your work is read with clarity, confidence, and the necessary academic rigour.
To make a thesis truly compelling, the introduction is only part of the equation. Your work gains additional impact when the discussion and conclusion chapters are also clearly structured and convincingly written. Our guides on writing a discussion chapter and crafting an effective conclusion provide practical, step-by-step instructions to help you bring your research together coherently.
At Delta Lektorat, we guide students at every stage of the writing process. Our team can provide tailored feedback to strengthen every chapter, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with academic standards. Book a coaching call here or submit your thesis here to receive professional editing and proofreading.
Appendix
| Step | Content Elements | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
|
Step 1: Clarify the starting point Guiding question: Why? |
|
Create a shared frame of reference and justify the necessity of the study. |
|
Step 2: Present research question and objectives Guiding question: What? |
|
Clarify exactly what is being investigated and what the study aims to achieve. |
|
Step 3: Make the approach and structure transparent Guiding question: How? |
|
Provide orientation regarding implementation, methodology, and internal logic of the study. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There is no fixed length for the introduction. In practice, it usually accounts for about 5–10% of the entire thesis. This depends on your discipline and the type of work. Prioritise clarity, focus, and completeness over a strict page count, and follow your university’s guidelines.
Yes, but limit them to key works that provide context, justify your research, or demonstrate the relevance of your topic. Detailed literature reviews and extensive references do not belong in the introduction.
No. The introduction should situate your research, explain its purpose, and outline the objectives; results belong elsewhere. The only exception is if your university explicitly requires it.
Only briefly. Provide a concise overview to situate your research approach. Detailed methodological descriptions belong in the methods chapter.
Editors usually pay attention to three key aspects:
1) Engagement: Does the opening capture interest and clearly introduce the topic?
2) Clarity: Are the research question, focus, and scope communicated clearly and precisely?
3) Logical reasoning: Does the introduction justify the need for the study by presenting a clearly articulated research gap?
For additional support, use the editing and proofreading services of Delta Lektorat or your university’s writing centre, which often provide templates, checklists, and examples.
Disclosure: This article was prepared by human contributors. Generative AI tools were used to support brainstorming, language refinement, and structural editing. All final decisions regarding content, recommendations, and academic insights reflect human judgment and expertise.
References
Dietrichs, I. (2018). Academic writing in a Swiss university context. Pressbooks Hochschule Luzern. https://ebooks.hslu.ch/academicwriting/chapter/conclusion-recommendations/
Harvard College Writing Center. (n.d.). Introductions. Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/introductions
Plato. (ca. 375 B.C.E.). The Republic (B. Jowett, Trans.). MIT Classics. http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.html
Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills (3rd ed.). University of Michigan Press.
Dea Elmasllari, MSc.
Dea is a senior researcher passionate about helping students navigate the world of academia. She explores the intersection of AI and scholarly work, offering insights on how technology can enhance writing, research, and learning. As the Head of Partnerships at Delta Lektorat, Dea leads collaborations with universities and student associations to promote excellence in academic writing and innovative approaches to thesis support. Her work focuses on bridging traditional academic rigour with emerging digital tools that empower students and scholars alike.
Dr. Meriton Ceka
Meriton is a scholarly author, lecturer, and researcher with many years of experience supporting academic writing. He assists students and researchers in producing structured, clear, and persuasive work. As the founder of Delta Lektorat, he collaborates closely with universities to promote academic excellence through professional feedback and methodological clarity.
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