What is Introduction: Definition and 789 Discussions

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.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. D

    Good introduction to quantum Mechanics for beginners

    So I'm pretty new to the subject of quantum mechanics and was wondering if you folks know of any books or sites that give an introduction to Quantum mechanics. I should emphasis that I'm looking for rather basic explanations as my knowledge of the subject matter is minimal to nothing. Thanks...
  2. R

    Introduction to Combustion Textbook Recommendation

    Hello I am interested in self-teaching basic combustion concepts. Is there a good textbook available that introduces combustion at an undergraduate level for someone with high school chemistry knowledge? Thanks very much
  3. Math Amateur

    MHB Introduction to Tensor Products - some advice please

    I am (trying to :-) ) reading Dummit and Foote Section 10.4 on Tensor Products of Modules and am finding D&F's introduction to the topic of tensor products quite bewildering! ... Can anyone give me a simple definition of a tensor product of modules together with an example to give me a basic...
  4. V

    Alternative to Griffiths Introduction to Electrodynamics

    I hope I am posting this question in the correct forum. I am in the second course in an upper level Electricity and Magnetism sequence (E&M II). We are using Griffith's Introduction to Electrodynamics as in the first course in the sequence. We covered chapters 1-3, 5, 7, and some of 8 in the...
  5. J

    Introduction of Oxygen and Hydrogen

    Does introducing small amount of hydrogen and oxygen with gasoline into an internal combustion engine make the sensor read lean and and just enter more gasoline? John
  6. mathbalarka

    MHB Introduction to Theory of Quintics

    This is a graph containing the main Tschirnhausen transformations of a general quintic and the algorithms to solve them. The methods would be explicitly described most probably elsewhere in this forum https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/1786._xfImport The lower-most nodes are the...
  7. T

    Stewart or Swokosky for an introduction to Calculus?

    I am currently working from the Morris Kline: An Intuitive Approach to Calculus. I am beginning to understand why the math is done and what is happening throughout the problem. So far I am about to start the Chain Rule. My school uses Stewart for all their Calculus series and I have read...
  8. T

    Is this a good introduction Physics Book?

    Somebody threw a few books away and I found some Gems. From Tolstoy to Nahuatl philosophy and even a copy of Apostol! The one that interested me the most was Serwey Physics for Scientist and Engineers. I have never read or took a physics a class. Is Serwey a good starting point to learn physics?
  9. S

    Introduction to Scientific Simulation class?

    I'm not quite sure what this course will entail, but it sounds interesting as I've been very interested in simulations like this, albeit it is a math class (MA1600) and my question is mainly this: what exactly would a class like this entail? What are the usual languages used? I've been required...
  10. Deveno

    MHB Semi-direct products: a gentle introduction

    Semi-direct products are often confusing to the budding group theorist, with good reason: they are a bit more complicated than the more transparent direct products. First off, let's start with a (my apologies) formal definition: We need 2 groups to start with: we shall call these groups (for...
  11. F

    A gentle Introduction on CFT

    Hello everybody! Wanted to ask a couple of questions... 1) Which is the definition of a conformal field theory? 2) Which are the physical prerequisites one would need to start studying conformal field theories? (i.e Does one need to know supersymmetry? Does one need non-perturbative...
  12. N

    Introduction to the development of Quantum Mechanics

    Hello! I would like to find a book which covers the historical development of Quantum Mechanics from which I can learn which experiments lead to which discoveries. In lectures you usually only get taught formalisms, but I would really like to know how the theory was developed. Can you tell me...
  13. C

    Where can I find beginner-friendly physics videos to understand the universe?

    Hello all, I am looking for a set of videos/youtube lectures which can take somebody from zero physics knowledge up to a decent standard. This is purely for personal reasons as I'm not taking exams and would just like to have a relatively good understanding of the universe (as we know it)...
  14. micromass

    Analysis Introduction to Topology and Modern Analysis by Simmons

    Author: George F. Simmons Title: Introduction to Topology and Modern Analysis Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1575242389/?tag=pfamazon01-20
  15. micromass

    Number Theory An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers - Hardy, Wright

    Author: G. H. Hardy, Edward M. Wright Title: An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0199219869/?tag=pfamazon01-20
  16. C

    Introduction to Set Theory (precursor to better evaluation of LA)

    My goal: To show the dimension of space L equals the length of any maximal flag of L; Is the following valid? My attempt: Let M \rightarrow {L_{i-1}, ... L_i} where {e_i} \in L_i | e_i \not\in L_{i-1} Assuming e_i \in M and e_i \not\in L_{i-1}, we can say: e_i \in L_i and L_i...
  17. Mathelogician

    MHB Universal Quantifier Intro: Natural Deduction in Predicate Logic

    In Natural deduction in Predicate logic we have a rule which says [assume the set of hypotheses to be H) if H implies phi(x) then H implies [for all x phi(x)] such that x doesn't belong to FV(psi) for all psi in H [indeed such that x occurs free in no one of formulas in H] In other words, if...
  18. J

    Penrose Diagrams - Introduction

    Penrose Diagrams -- Introduction I'm woefully ignorant of a lot of things in GR, and now that I'm moving away from my comfortable spot in condensed matter, I'd like to know how to interpret Penrose diagrams. I'm having trouble understanding what it is they're actually showing and why they'd be...
  19. D

    Short books for introduction to the following ;

    I'm currently a 2nd year undergrad student. I have done introductory courses on Mechanics and Electromagnetism, with the corresponding maths required for them. I am trying to figure out where my interests lie in order to apply for Grad school next year (my degree is of 3 years). I need a list...
  20. C

    Looking for An Introduction to Radar Text

    I'm in the market for an intro book covering airborne and ground radar fundamentals. The following two books are the top sellers on Amazon, but top seller doesn't mean best quality (Stewart Calculus, etc.). An Introduction to Airborne Radar by Stimson Principles of Modern Radar: Basic...
  21. Demystifier

    Other Modern Quantum Field Theory: A Concise Introduction

    We usually talk about good books, but we rarely talk about bad books. And that is good. But sometimes, we find that some book is so bad, so really bad, that we strongly want to tell this to the others. So I open this thread to inform others about science books which you find so bad that it...
  22. M

    Recommend book to follow Introduction to Analysis by Rosenlicht

    Recommend book to follow "Introduction to Analysis" by Rosenlicht I am trying to build a great foundation in analysis before moving into functional analysis, ode and tensor calc( planning on graduate school in computational fluid mechanics ). I love the style of Rosenlichts text. What's the...
  23. M

    Ian Morisson's Introduction to Astronomy and Cosmology questions

    Hey there! I recently bought said book and would highly recommend it for any Astronomy and Cosmology undergrads. However, one little niggling thing about it (something that grinds my gears in general with textbooks) is that it features end of chapter questions yet no set of answers for the...
  24. Astronuc

    Astrophysics Physics Of Space Plasmas: An Introduction, 2nd Ed, by George Parks

    Author: George Parks Title: Physics Of Space Plasmas: An Introduction Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0813341299/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Introductory physics, modern physics, calculus through PDEs, E&M, introductory astrophysics/astronomy (basically three years of a...
  25. Astronuc

    Astrophysics Introduction to Space Physics by M.G.Kivelson and C.T.Russell

    Author: Margaret G. Kivelson and Christopher T. Russell (Editors) Title: Introduction to Space Physics Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521457149/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Introductory physics, modern physics, calculus through PDEs, E&M, introductory astrophysics/astronomy...
  26. Astronuc

    Plasma Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion - Francis F. Chen

    Author: Francis F. Chen Title: Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1441932011/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Introductory physics, modern physics, calculus through PDEs, E&M Contents: Undergraduate, upper level; Graduate...
  27. tsuwal

    Metric Spaces: Exercise 1.14 from Introduction to Topology (Dover)

    Homework Statement X is a metric and E is a subspace of X (E\subsetX) The boundary ∂E of a set E is defined to be the set of points adherent to both E and the complement of E, ∂E=\overline{E}\cap(\overline{X\E}) (ignore the red color, i can't get it out) Show that E is open if and only...
  28. micromass

    Relativity Introduction to Special Relativity by Rindler

    Author: Wolfgang Rindler Title: Introduction to Special Relativity Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198539525/?tag=pfamazon01-20
  29. micromass

    Quantum A Modern Introduction to Quantum Field Theory by Maggiore

    Author: Michele Maggiore Title: A Modern Introduction to Quantum Field Theory Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198520743/?tag=pfamazon01-20
  30. micromass

    Topology Introduction to Topology by Mendelson

    Author: Bert Mendelson Title: Introduction to Topology Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486663523/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Level: Undergrad
  31. N

    Distance and speed word problem. Introduction to vectors.

    Homework Statement Two cars start from the same point at the same time, with one car traveling at a constant speed of 55 mph, and the other car having a constant speed of 70 mph. How far has the faster car traveled when it has a 15 minute lead on the slower car? Problems like this always...
  32. micromass

    Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Stewart

    Author: Robert Stewart Title: Introduction to Physical Oceanography Download Link: http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/ocng_textbook/PDF_files/book_pdf_files.html Prerequisities: Contents:
  33. micromass

    Linear Algebra Introduction to Linear Algebra by Lang

    Author: Serge Lang Title: Introduction to Linear Algebra Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/3540780602/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: High-School mathematics Level: Undergrad Table of Contents: Vectors Definition of Points in Space Located Vectors Scalar Product The Norm of...
  34. micromass

    Classical Introduction to Electrodynamics by Griffiths

    Author: David Griffiths Title: Introduction to Electrodynamics Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321856562/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Calculus 1,2,3, Basic E&M Level: Upper-level undergrad Table of Contents 1. Vector Analysis 2. Electrostatics 3. Potentials 4...
  35. micromass

    Analysis Introduction to Analysis by Mattuck

    Author: Arthur Mattuck Title: Introduction to Analysis Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0130811327/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Level: Undergrad Table of Contents: Preface Real Numbers and Monotone Sequences Introduction; Real numbers Increasing sequences Limit of an...
  36. micromass

    Geometry A Comprehensive Introduction to Differential Geometry series by Spivak

    Author: Michael Spivak Title: A Comprehensive Introduction to Differential Geometry Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0914098705/?tag=pfamazon01-20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0914098713/?tag=pfamazon01-20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0914098721/?tag=pfamazon01-20...
  37. micromass

    Prob/Stats An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications by Feller

    Author: William Feller Title: An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471257087/?tag=pfamazon01-20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471257095/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Table of Contents for Volume I: Introduction: The Nature of...
  38. micromass

    Relativity An Introduction to General Relativity by Hughston and Tod

    Author: L.P. Hughston and K.P. Tod Title: An Introduction to General Relativity Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/052133943X/?tag=pfamazon01-20
  39. micromass

    Linear Algebra Introduction to Linear Algebra by Strang

    Author: Gilbert Strang Title: Introduction to Linear Algebra Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0980232716/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Contents: Table of Contents: Introduction to Vectors Vectors and Linear Combinations Lengths and Dot Products Solving Linear Equations...
  40. micromass

    Geometry Riemannian Manifolds: An Introduction to Curvature by Lee

    Author: John Lee Title: Riemannian Manifolds: An Introduction to Curvature Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/dp/0387983228/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: "Introduction to Smooth Manifolds" by Lee seems like a prereq. Level: Grad Table of Contents: Preface What Is Curvature? The...
  41. micromass

    Geometry Introduction to Smooth Manifolds by Lee

    Author: John Lee Title: Introduction to Smooth Manifolds Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/dp/0387954481/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Topology, Linear algebra, Calculus 3. Some analysis wouldn't hurt either. Level: Grad Table of Contents: Smooth Manifolds Topological Manifolds...
  42. bcrowell

    Classical An Introduction to Mechanics by Daniel Kleppner and Robert J. Kolenkow

    Author: Daniel Kleppner and Robert J. Kolenkow Title: An Introduction to Mechanics Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521198119/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Table of Contents: 1. Vectors and kinematics - a few mathematical preliminaries 2. Newton's laws - the foundations of...
  43. bcrowell

    Relativity Spacetime and Geometry: An Introduction to General Relativity by Sean M. Carroll

    Author: Sean M. Carroll Title: Spacetime and Geometry: An Introduction to General Relativity Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0805387323/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Download Link: http://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/level5/March01/Carroll3/Carroll_contents.html Prerequisities: Contents: Contents: 1...
  44. Greg Bernhardt

    Prob/Stats Introduction to the Practice of Statistics by David Moore

    The Basic Practice of Statistics by David Moore Author: David Moore Title: The Basic Practice of Statistics Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1429230932/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Calculus 1,2,3, Linear Algebra Table of Contents: To the Instructor: About This Book To the...
  45. Greg Bernhardt

    Quantum An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory by Michael E. Peskin

    Author: Michael E. Peskin (Author), Dan V. Schroeder (Author) Title: An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0201503972/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Contents:
  46. Greg Bernhardt

    Solid State Introduction to Solid State Physics by Charles Kittel

    Author: Charles Kittel Title: Introduction to Solid State Physics Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/047141526X/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Contents:
  47. Greg Bernhardt

    Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen

    Author: Thomas H. Cormen (Author), Charles E. Leiserson (Author), Ronald L. Rivest (Author), Clifford Stein (Author) Title: Introduction to Algorithms Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0262033844/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Contents:
  48. Greg Bernhardt

    Linear Algebra Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction by David Poole

    Author: David Poole Title: Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0538735457/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Table of Contents: Vectors Introduction: The Racetrack Game The Geometry and Algebra of Vectors Length and Angle: The Dot Product...
  49. Greg Bernhardt

    Astrophysics An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics by Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie

    Author: Bradley W. Carroll (Author), Dale A. Ostlie (Author) Title: An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0805304029/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Contents:
  50. Greg Bernhardt

    Atomic Atoms, Molecules and Photons: An Introduction by Wolfgang Demtröder

    Author: Wolfgang Demtröder Title: Atoms, Molecules and Photons: An Introduction Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/3642102972/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisities: Contents:
Back
Top