Introduction Definition and 824 Threads

In an essay, article, or book, an introduction (also known as a prolegomenon) is a beginning section which states the purpose and goals of the following writing. This is generally followed by the body and conclusion.
The introduction typically describes the scope of the document and gives the brief explanation or summary of the document. It may also explain certain elements that are important to the essay if explanations are not part of the main text. The readers can have an idea about the following text before they actually start reading it.
ln technical writing, the introduction typically includes one or more standard subsections: abstract or summary, preface, acknowledgments, and foreword. Alternatively, the section labeled introduction itself may be a brief section found side-by-side with abstract, foreword, etc. (rather than containing them). In this case the set of sections that come before the body of the book are known as the front matter. When the book is divided into numbered chapters, by convention the introduction and any other front-matter sections are unnumbered and precede chapter 1.
Keeping the concept of the introduction the same, different documents have different styles to introduce the written text. For example, the introduction of a Functional Specification consists of information that the whole document is yet to explain. If a Userguide is written, the introduction is about the product. In a report, the introduction gives a summary about the report contents.

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  1. A

    Undergrad w/o formal quantum introduction, having trouble

    I am about to start my junior-level courses (advanced mechanics, quantum I, etc) and I've been working on a project with a professor this summer. Basically, I am trying to reproduce the results of this paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/nucl-th/9611049 . Right now I am trying to work only with...
  2. J

    Technical Paper for an Introduction to Mechanical Engineering class

    Hello all; I have a homework 'question' I'm hoping I can get some help with here. For my Introduction to Mechanical Engineering class, we have been tasked with writing a technical paper and there is a portion of the mark dedicated to using social media and the internet to enhance the paper...
  3. N

    Why is Griffiths not a good introduction to QM?

    I've seen quite a few people on this forum agree that Griffiths is not a good book to learn QM from. But I was wondering what reasons people would give for it. (Personally I don't feel I can give an in depth critique since I've only sampled his book. I rather liked his explanation of...
  4. matqkks

    Introducing Vectors: Motivating Examples to Make an Impact

    What is a good way to introduce vectors on a linear algebra course so that students are motivated from the start? I need an opening which will have a real impact. Are there any motivating examples?
  5. matqkks

    MHB Can Vectors Be The Key to Motivating Students in a Linear Algebra Course?

    What is a good way to introduce vectors on a linear algebra course so that students are motivated from the start? I need an opening which will have a real impact. Are there any motivating examples?
  6. A

    Good Textbooks for Introduction to Degree-Level Physics

    Hi - i am going to go to univerisity soon and have begun to look up courses in Physics. can anyone please recommend a degree-level physics textbook (in either general physics or a specialised area) that I can read over just to get an idea of the course and how it will be? i don't want a very...
  7. J

    How can I get started learning programming without any prior experience?

    Okay forgive me because i am completely new to programming - as i am going to ask some possibly stupid questions: How is a computer language like python, java created? Who creates them? Is Word,Excel created using python, java etc?
  8. Karlx

    A good book for an introduction to Algebraic Topology

    Hi everybody. Next year I will start an undergraduate course on algebraic topology. Which book would you suggest as a good introduction to this matter ? My first options are the following: 1.- "A First Course in Algebraic Topology" by Czes Kosniowski 2.- "Algebraic Topology: An...
  9. matqkks

    Vectors Intro: WOW Students with Linear Algebra!

    I am trying to write a hook for vectors on a linear algebra course. Does anyone have an opening fon vectors that will have a real impact on students?
  10. G

    Question about Courant's Introduction to calculus and analysis

    I am extremely interested in mathematics, and most probably plan to major in it. Do you guys feel as though this book would be accessible to a high-school student, willing to gain a more rigorous understanding of calculus? I have already completed calculus 1 and found it rather easy, and I am...
  11. A

    Personal introduction, OSU student.

    Hello folks, my name is Allan and I'm new here. Seems like a great forum. I'm looking for a study buddy at OSU. I'm an econ student switching over to a science and am prepping for honors physics in Autumn. Nothing overly cooperative - mostly for motivation. I'm in the honors program and at...
  12. H

    Introduction and general help regarding powers

    Hi there, Good evening all. Ok, I've just started my HNC in electrical engineering (1 month in via open learning)and to be honest, I'm struggling. I understand all the concepts of the equations regarding bending moments, shear force diagrams etc but i can't seem to get to grip with the...
  13. S

    Recommendations for Introduction to Lasers Books

    Greetings everyone, I am an undergraduate physics student an I would like to receive your suggestions about introduction to laser books. Which one do you recommend for a beginner? The possible candidates I have found are as follows: Laser Fundamentals William T. Silfvast Basics of Laser...
  14. 4

    Looking for help in Introduction Mechanics(Kleppner) and EM(Purcell)

    Hello everyone. Thank you so much for taking your personal time to read my post. I am a very zealous and passionate undergraduate physics major! I've changed my major to physics about two years ago in my community college, and I will be now transferring to a university as a physics major...
  15. N

    Introduction to Gross-Pitaevskii equation

    Hi to everyone :) Like the topic's title says, I am starting my journey to Bose-Einstein condensate. What I am looking for are some basic introductory papers or materials that deal with derivation of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation on the basic, most elementary level that is possible. I am...
  16. C

    The introduction of color and it's antisymmetric wavefunction.

    I've read that color was introduces as a degree of freedom nessecary to satisfy the pauli exclusion principle in the quark model of particles. For example for the omega minus which had an observed total spin of 3/2 and no angular momenta ment that the spin had to the the same for all of the...
  17. H

    Convergent Series: Introduction & Identification

    I need to know about converge series.For example how to identify a converge series.Plz explain.
  18. I

    Looking for an introduction to eternal inflation

    Hi, I currently have to learn about the topic of eternal inflation, at a basic level for now, I am already familiar with the topic of inflation. I don't know what are the good references to this subject. I will try to start in Weinberg's book of cosmology (the one published in 2008), but is...
  19. P

    Introduction to cartesian tensors

    Homework Statement This exercice is in a Chapter named Introduction to Cartesian tensors. The following is the original question of the exercise: Homework Equations Compute the vector: (x1^2 + 2x1*x2^2 + 3x2^2*x3), i The Attempt at a Solution Plz help me, i don't understand what...
  20. J

    Looking for a not gentle introduction to Q. Physics

    I know a fair amount of theoretical Quantum Physics, how things work within it, and the ideas that ground it. I lack, though, the more advanced mathematics. Right now I'm taking an Engineering course, and last year I studied a little bit of Quantum Physics, but the calculations were limited...
  21. B

    Which textbook for an introduction to the Standard Model?

    Hi. I am an undergraduate physics student and have just begun lectures on elementary particles and the Standard Model. At the moment I really know nothing about this branch of physics and am looking for recommendations on a textbook which introduces the subject well. Thanks
  22. S

    Introduction of nuclear reactor physics summer 2012

    Hello I am looking to introduction of nuclear reactor physics course in the summer 2012 can u help me to find this course in any universities ?
  23. C

    MHB A Introduction to Statistics Question on Normally distributed RVs

    Question from Jim on Yahoo Answers: The things you should know are: 1. The sum of normal random variables is a normal random variable with mean equal to the sum of the means and variance equal to the sum of the variances. 2. Multiplying a normal RV by a constant gives a normal RV with mean...
  24. S

    Introduction to Pigeonhole Principle

    Homework Statement Give a sample problem its solution employing Pigeonhole Principle Homework Equations Pigeonhole Principle The Attempt at a Solution We have this homework about pigeonhole principle which hasn't been discussed yet, but we need to present an example and present it...
  25. The Chaz

    LaTeX What is a brief overview of LaTeX?

    Here are a few: http://codecogs.com/latex/eqneditor.php (WYSIWYG) http://tobi.oetiker.ch/lshort/lshort.pdf (PDF) ftp://ftp.ams.org/ams/doc/amsmath/short-math-guide.pdf (FTP)
  26. P

    Introduction to Vector calculations (Calculus 3)

    Homework Statement Find nonzero scalars a, b, c, such that au+b(u-v)+c(u+v)=0 for every pair of vectors u and v This isn't a homework question, more of a conceptual exercise, but I want to understand it thoroughly.The Attempt at a Solution I've gone to u(a+b+c) + v(c-b)=0 then I couldn't quite...
  27. X

    Should I buy Introduction to Electrodynamics (3rd Edition) (Paperback)?

    Should I buy this book for a good price now even though I won't be taking a junior year E@M class till two years from now. I'm asking because I could use Griffiths now as a good reference book. But because it's paper back idk if it will last for two more years. This semester I'm taking an E@M...
  28. lonewolf219

    Calculus 3 introduction to cross product

    Just learning about vectors in 3 dimensions. Would it be correct to think of the cross product vector like a resultant vector? Is it similar to the displacement? If so, why is it always 90 degrees from both original vectors? If anyone has some deeper insight into any of these vector topics...
  29. Rob D

    My introduction and a question on my intended

    I'd like to introduce myself and ask a pedagogical question regarding my future studies. My name is Rob Dorsey and I am a 64 year old, disabled and retired airline pilot living in a southern suburb of Cincinnati. I have a degree in music with an engineering minor from a small regional university...
  30. W

    What is the Best Book to Learn Topology for General Relativity?

    Hello i studied Sadri Hassani az mathematical physics book. if i want to learn topology (( for general relativity )) what it the best book for introduction ?
  31. N

    Pedagogical introduction to N=2 SUSY

    Hi, Could you pls advise me any textbooks or papers where I can find pedagogical introduction to N=2 Supersymmetry & familiarize myself... Thank you very much Best Regards
  32. N

    Rigorous introduction to electromagnetism

    I'm looking for a good introductory text on electromagnetism for someone who has very little experience with physics but is comfortable with multivariate and vector calculus and ODE's. I'd prefer something that starts from the basics and works up in a rigorous fashion. Note that I am proficient...
  33. C

    Introduction to Optics (by Fowler) any good?

    Hello, I have recently been looking into purchasing this book. I know it’s only ten dollars, but money is money, and if some of you pleasant people have any experience with this book I’d appreciate any feedback (of the book). Thank you and have a Merry X-mas. :-p
  34. F

    Introduction to electrodynamics - help with a dipole problem

    Homework Statement Let the dipole \vec{m} = m\hat{k} be at the origin, and call a certain horizontal axis the y axis. a) On the z axis, what is the angle between the z axis and the magnetic field? b) On the y axis, what is the angle between the z axis and the magnetic field? c) On the cone...
  35. S

    An introduction to basic electronics and electric systems

    Hey all, was wondering if someone knows of a book (if it's on safari books online, even better!), website or other source that teaches me -- a software guy -- the basics of electronics. Basically I want to know about voltages, generators, capacitors and everything in-between. Wanna have my...
  36. C

    Medical What Are the Best Introductory Resources for Cognitive Science?

    hey! are there any good books or online lectures for an intro to Cog science? Is this a good one?: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0262691752/?tag=pfamazon01-20 I'm not interested in popularizations, first year academic material would be great Thanks!
  37. R

    Introduction to Proofs: One-to-One and Onto Problem

    1. Given: Let f: X → Y be a function. Then we have an associated function f-1: P(Y) → P(X), where f-1 (B)⊂X is the inverse image of B⊂Y. Question: Show that f^(-1) is one-to-one if and only if f is onto. [Notes: ⊂ represents subspace, I just couldn’t find a way to put the line under the...
  38. I

    Introduction to Proofs texts/resources?

    Homework Statement My intro to Proofs class uses How to Prove It, 2nd edition by Velleman. I would like a couple other references on introduction to proofs. What do you recommend? I don't mind spending hours agonizing over proofs, but I'd like to be able to check my work with answers...
  39. D

    Introduction to Work, do I have the right concept?

    I'm just learning work in my physics class and, for some reason, I'm having difficulty understanding it. The problem in my homework assignment asks: A particle moves 5 m in the positive x direction while being acted upon by a constant force F = <4,2,-4>.The work done on the particle by this...
  40. A

    Principles of Quantum Mechanics - mathematical introduction

    I'm going through the book: Principles of Quantum Mechanics 2nd edition by R. Shankar 1. In the mathematical introduction to projection operators (page 22), it writes: "Consider the expansion of an arbitrary ket |V\rangle in a basis: |V\rangle=\sum_{i}^{} |i\rangle\langle i|V\rangle"...
  41. M

    Introduction to hydrodymanics?

    Hello World I can't introduce the concepts of hydrodynamics into my mind,such as the streamline. I can't imagine what is a streamline? What makes us say that the flow is turblant or the flow is steady? --------- "the direction of the tangent drawn at any point on the streamline represents...
  42. T

    Literature Request: Introduction to d-wave superconductivity

    I'm looking for a pedagogic introduction to d-wave superconductivity on the level of field theory. Ideally, this would involve a derivation of d-wave superconductivity and the form of the gap parameter from some fundamental Hamiltonian (if such a derivation is even possible yet). Books and...
  43. M

    Introduction to systematic design

    Homework Statement I'm asked to design a small engineering component/part/machine of your choice.I need an idea of what to design or a starting point Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  44. P

    Introduction to Optics: Find the Best Book & Online Resources

    Hello What is the better book on introduction of optics? if you have on online please give me the link regards
  45. P

    What Are the Best Conceptual Resources for Understanding Quantum Field Theory?

    I am looking for books or papers that explain conceptual ideas that underlie the study of quantum fields. I am looking for something that clearly explains Field measurement. Most textbooks i am aware of emphasize on the development of formal techniques of Quantum field theory.
  46. G

    Calculus 2 - Introduction to Differential Equations

    Homework Statement One model for the spread of rumor is that the rate of spread is proportional to the product of the fraction y of the population who have heard the rumor and the fraction who have not heard the rumor. i) Write a differential equation that is satisfied by y ii) Solve the...
  47. A

    Question 1.7 Griffiths Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd Edition)

    Calculate d<p>/dt Answer: d<p>/dt = <-dV/dx> generally speaking (I believe) you need to use scrodinger's equation (both of dphi/dt and dphi*/dt) and the expectation value of momentum: <p> = -i*h_bar * integral (phi* * dphi/dx) dx. I would say that the way I used Cramster was just short of...
  48. M

    How Do Euclidian, Topological, Metric, and Vector Spaces Differ?

    I am taking a class on Manifolds and whilst reading the book I came about some terminology that has got me confused. What is the differences/relations between these terms? Euclidian Space Topological Space Metric Space Vector Space I thought that a vector space was based on the...
  49. S

    Any gentle introduction of Fibonacci chain?

    Hi, I have been searching the internet for some gentle introductions of Fibonacci chain, but so far I haven't found anything. I wonder if anyone can recommend some good introductions to me, e.g. a book, an article... Thank you.
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