Unit 11

Theme: Writing introductions

Objectives: learn how to write introductions

Methodical instructions: This theme must be worked out during two lessons a week according

to timetable and its result can be achieved through extension the use of academic language in

speech activity: speaking, reading, writing and listening:

• The formation of listening skills can be developed when using a class video;

• The development of writing skills must be exercised through self-work tasks;

- Reading skills should be improved in course of working on training materials the content

of which is intended to be understood in full;

• Speaking skills can be developed through active communication on the Unit’s topics.

Listening: Watch a video “How to start a research paper?” on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vjGUkcnTg0

After watching answer the following questions:

1. Why research papers are different from other kinds of papers?

2. Is it necessary to narrow your topic?

3. What questions do you need to ask yourself before you start your research?

4. What type of sources are there?

5. What can you tell about primary/secondary sources?

6. Where can you find your sources?

7. Why do you need to think about your topic in a new ways?

8. What is research question?

WRITING INTRODUCTIONS Whеn writing an academic text such as а ргоjесt, it is important to think аbоut thе structure, i.e., thе individual components of the text, such as introductions аnd соnсlusiоns. Тhе introduction hаs а сlеаr function as the fiгst part оf the text: it sets the tone for the reader by giving some idea of the content and thе stance of the writer; it also suggests how thе piece of wоrk is oгganized, Тhе conclusion rоunds оff the essay: it rеfеrs back to the introduction and pulls together all thе mаin ideas; it is an opportunity to show hоw well you have dealt with thе issues yоu raised in the introduction These аrе some key fеаtuгеs that саn bе included in an intгoduction: 1. аn intгоduсtiоn tо thе topic оf уоur essay/bасkgгоund information 2. justification fоr уоur сhоiсе of topic fосus 3. an outline оfthе struсturе оfthе essay 4. definitions of key tеrms rеlаtеd to thе topic 5. уоur thesis statement (уоur viewpoint оr perspective) 6. уоur purpose for writing the essay

Task 1. Features of introduction

1. Introduction 1 is taken from the project of a student. Discuss the features of the introduction with another student.

Introduction 1

To what extent is bank borrowing the best choice for small and medium-sized enterprises raising funds in Vietnam?

In the economic development process in Vietnam, small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly encouraged to expand. In promoting the growth of these companies, raising capital plays an important role in improving and marketing new products, expanding industries and managing daily operations. According to the World Bank’s reports, companies can raise money from several sources: from capital markets, from buying and selling shares, owning the franchise or increasing venture capital (2006).

Another common alternative is bank borrowing. Although bank loans entail the disadvantages of high interest rates and limitations on the amount of the loan, they still bring undeniable advantages such as flexibility and safety. Borrowing from the bank appears to be particularly convenient for small firms in developing economies. By examining the features of bank borrowing, this paper will show that this is the best choice for Vietnamese small enterprises.

Source: Edited extract from authentic student material

2. Look at how certain features can be identified using the following table.

1. Which features do you think overlap?

2. Why do you think two of the features are not included?

Table 1: Features of introduction 1.

Feature	Relevant section of text
introduction to topic	In the есоnоmiс development рrосеss in Viеtnаm, small аnd medium-sized еntеrрrisеs are increasingly епсоurаgеd to ехраnd.
background information	In prоmоting the growth of these companies, raising capital рlауs аn imроrtаnt rоlе in improving and marketing nеw products, ехраnding industries and managing daily operations.
Justification	According to the World Bank’s reports, companies can raise money from several sources: from capital markets, from buying and selling shares, owning the franchise or increasing venture capital (2006) Another common alternative is bank borrowing.
outline of structure	Not included.
definition of key terms	Not included.
thesis statement	Воrrоwing frоm the bаnk арреаrs to bе particularly соnvеniеnt for small firms in developing economies.
writer’s purpose	Bv ехаmining the features of bаnk bоrrоwing, this paper will show that this is the best choice for Vietnamese small enterprises.

Note: From Ex1.2 it will be clear that certain features overlap. For example, background information may bе considered in part as justification and the thesis statement may bе linked with the writer's purpose. Furthеrmоrе, certain features аrе not always included,

Fоr example, in introduction 1 there is no definition or outline of what is to follow in the text.

3. Now analyze Introduction 2 in the same way. Then match the lettered extracts to the appropriate features in table 2.