Writing+Your+Report

This is a very important part of the project. In it you must lead the reader gently by the hand, ensuring that you and the reader are very clear about the nature and purpose of the project. //You need to cover the following points://
 * Writing your Introduction **
 * Who are you and what do you bring to the project?
 * What is the purpose of your research? Clearly state your research questions.
 * How has literature about your topic and the surrounding issues helped to inform and shape your project? What do other writers say about the issues you are investigating

Web Resources Tips on how to write your introduction: http://www.ehow.com/how_2310549_write-perfect-research-paper-introduction.html Our class tips - Peer assessment form


 * Hints from http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/tools/report/reportform.html**

Introduction
Your introductions should not exceed two pages (double spaced, typed). See the examples in the writing portfolio package.

General intent
The purpose of an introduction is to aquaint the reader with the rationale behind the work, with the intention of defending it. It places your work in a theoretical context, and enables the reader to understand and appreciate your objectives.

Writing an introduction
Approaches vary widely, however for our studies the following approach can produce an effective introduction. Style:
 * Describe the importance (significance) of the study - why was this worth doing in the first place? Provide a broad context.
 * Defend the model - why did you use this particular organism or system? What are its advantages? You might comment on its suitability from a theoretical point of view as well as indicate practical reasons for using it.
 * Provide a rationale. State your specific hypothesis(es) or objective(s), and describe the reasoning that led you to select them.
 * Very briefy describe the experimental design and how it accomplished the stated objectives.
 * Use past tense except when referring to established facts. After all, the paper will be submitted after all of the work is completed.
 * Organize your ideas, making one major point with each paragraph. If you make the four points listed above, you will need a minimum of four paragraphs.
 * Present background information only as needed in order support a position. The reader does not want to read everything you know about a subject.
 * State the hypothesis/objective precisely - do not oversimplify.
 * As always, pay attention to spelling, clarity and appropriateness of sentences and phrases.