Writing Your Introduction
• Begin paper in 3 “moves” (Create A Research Space)
1. First move: Establish a research territory.
The author sets the context for his/her research
providing necessary background on the topic.
2. Second move: Identify a niche.
The author relates what has been found on the topic
and who found it.
3. Third move: Occupy the niche.
The author uses the niche as a “way into the research
space” he/she will fill, showing how to substantiate the
counter-claim, fill the gap identified, answer the
question asked, or continue the research tradition.
Writing Your Introduction
Create A Research Space Model [Swales & Feak (2012)]
1. First move: Establish a research territory.
a. Step 1 – Claim centrality.
Ask readers to accept that the research is part of a
significant, or well-established research area.
and/or
b. Step 2 – Make topic generalisation(s).
Make statements about current knowledge,
practices, or phenomena in the field.
and/or
c. Step 3 – Review items of previous research.
Describe the current state of knowledge in the field.
Writing Your Introduction
Create A Research Space Model [Swales & Feak (2012)]
2. Second move: Identify a niche.
a. Step 1A – Counter-claim (something is wrong).
Refute earlier research by making a counter-claim.
or
b. Step 1B – Indicate a gap (something is missing).
Demonstrate that earlier research does not
sufficiently address all existing issues/problems.
or
c. Step 1C – Raise a question (something is unclear).
Ask questions about previous research, suggesting
that additional research needs to be done.
or
d. Step 1D – Continue a tradition (add something).
Offer research as useful extension of extant
knowledge.
Writing Your Introduction
Create A Research Space Model [Swales & Feak (2012)]
3. Third move: Occupy the niche.
a. Step 1A – Outline purpose(s) of research.
Indicate the main purpose(s) of the paper.
or
b. Step 1B – Announce present research.
Describe the research in the paper.
then
c. Step 2 – Announce principal findings.
Present the paper’s main research conclusions.
then
d. Step 3 – Indicate the structure of the paper.
Preview the paper’s roadmap to set expectations.
Writing Your Introduction
• Stick to ‘old/new contract’ to hold audience interest.
ü Ensure old information comes at the beginning whilst
new information comes later, as readers store new ideas
in long-term memory by linking them to existing ideas.
o The research question (as old information) arises out
of preliminary review of extant knowledge.
o The main argument (as new information) must be
stated clearly, concisely, and early to set the stage.
ü Clarify connections between sentences, as well as
between paragraphs.
ü “Write a like a reader”: The effort the author does not
invest in writing, the reader has to invest in reading.
Writing Your Introduction
• Frame ONE persuasive argument w/ 6 must-have parts.
ü Claim: This is the stance that you want the audience to
believe, or accept.
ü Grounds: This is the evidence that supports your claim.
ü Warrant: This is how the evidence logically and justifiably
supports your claim.
ü Backing: This is a well-reasoned supporting evidence
that directly strengthens the warrant.
ü Rebuttal: These are counter-claims to your claim:
situations where your claim does not hold true.
ü Qualifier: This is the degree of certainty in your claim.
