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.

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  1. D

    Introduction to General Relativity

    http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/General_relativity
  2. Astronuc

    Introduction to Tensor Calculus and Continuum Mechanics

    Here is a free and downloadable textbook on Tensor Calculus. http://www.math.odu.edu/~jhh/counter2.html Scroll to bottom of page to find pdf files.
  3. E

    A good introduction to Genetics

    I'm going to study genetics in college next year, and I was hoping I could get a head start. I have looked at many books such as the Cartoon Guide to Genetics, Schaum's Outline Of Genetics, Genetics for Dummies, etc. But I was afriad of some of these books being either too advanced or too...
  4. O

    Good book for introduction to chemistry

    Hello I am looking for a good book that will give me an introduction to chemistry. I work in the optical field (glasses, contacts etc.) and work with plastic monomers and polymers and would like to know a little more about them and why the react to certain conditions the way that they do. Any...
  5. L

    Physics 218 - Volume 1 - Mechanics Introduction Question

    Hey there fellas, I just joined this board yesterday. I'm a "Vet" over at Bodybuilding.com, so I'm aware of how boards work, just so you understand I'm not just joining the site and making a new thread. I've gone through all of the archives and read through the threads that seem to be about...
  6. Cyrus

    Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

    Hey guys, I haven't taken thermodynamics yet, I have only taken it in general chemistry, which amounts to pretty much nothing. But I've heard from many friends that Fluid mechanics is a very tough course, so I am trying to teach it to myself before I have to take it next year. I've only...
  7. B

    Force & Mass Calculations: An Introduction

    First let me say, I have absolutely no idea how to do these. If anyone could show me how I would greatly appreciate it. (Thursday 8/25/05 was my first day in this class) Q1) A crane must lift a crate with the mass of 3.5x10^3kg a. How much force would be required? b. On the...
  8. L

    Question from Rindler's Introduction to Special Relativity

    I'm stuck on this problem in the "Relativistic Particle Mechanics" section, number 26. I had no trouble with the first part... but the second part I'm stuck. "Two identical particles move with velocities +-u along the parallel lines z=0, y=+-a in a frame S, passing x=0 simultaneously. Prove...
  9. L

    What is Chaos? An Introduction for Beginners

    What is chaos? Hello everybody. I just wanted to know if anyone could explain to me what is chaos all about in verrrrry simple terms, because I found a book on it in the library and I wanted to know if anyone could please give me a simple introduction to what it is as I find the book quite...
  10. A

    PDF file that gives a good introduction to congruencies?

    Does anyone know a good website, or have a PDF file that gives a good introduction to congruencies? I can't seem to find one on the internet. Thanks for your help.
  11. A

    Help on Introduction to Electrodynamics 3rd edition by David J. Griffiths

    Help on "Introduction to Electrodynamics 3rd edition by David J. Griffiths" I'm studying that book right now, but I'm having a hard time understanding... Can someone explain what a dirac delta function is and how to use it? I also don't understand the what is the electrostatic boundary...
  12. D

    Texts on Introduction to Astronomy/Cosmology

    Please suggests books which could thoroughly introduce me to the field of cosmology/astronomy (i hardly know the difference between the two). I require a full guide -- a 'scientific Bible', if you will.
  13. B

    Introduction books/interesting thesis ideas on string theory

    Hi string group, I'm a new member. In a few months I'll have completed my final exams and can finally start to write my diploma thesis (german diploma) in theoretical physics and mathematics. Naturally I'm a novice in the subject, having only very superficial basic knowledge from a...
  14. D

    Is Yet Another Introduction to Analysis Worth Reading?

    Is this book worth it? It seems like an interesting read.
  15. S

    Book for introduction in aerodynamics

    Which book would you recommend for introduction to aerodynamics? One which is mathematically rigorous as well as comprehensive?
  16. JasonRox

    Java Troubleshooting Java: "javac" Command Not Recognized

    Alright, I did the whole Hello World! thing, but I got stuck on one part. I downloaded the Sun.Java thing, but now when I go into the command prompt and to try and compile it... the computer does not recognize the "javac" command. What's going on? Is there another program?
  17. R

    Introduction to Digital course

    Hi everyone, I am going to take a digital electronics course next sesmester. But, I know nothing about Digital Electronics. What books do you recommand for introduction to Digital Electronics? And, any website for this course? Thanks.
  18. H

    ESC-101 Introduction to ELectronics

    Just started studying course of ESC-101 Introduction to ELectronics...but did not do well in first mid semester...any suggestions on how to improve in Electronics Most Welcome Thx
  19. F

    Introduction to the structure of matter

    Dear friends, I'm a 2nd year physics student and I've taken a subject called "Introduction to the structure of matter". It's a short of introduction to quantum mechanics(blackbody radiation, Schrödinger's equation, statistical mechanics etc,) I would like to ask you what textbook you...
  20. W

    Introduction to Calculus and Analysis

    Has anyone used this set of books by Richard Courant and Fritz John? If so, I would like some advice about them.
  21. P

    Help Solve a Mystery: Lawden's "An Introduction to Tensor Calculus

    Hi, Anyone out there have Lawden's book, "An Introduction to Tensor Calculus, Relativity and Cosmology"? Expression 39.13 (on p 109) and the sentence that precedes it have me stumped. My understanding of what he's saying is that a symmetric quadratic form can always be diagonalized so that...
  22. A

    Introduction to Lie Groups?

    Hi all, I wanted to study Lie groups and their connections with differential geometry. But i don't want to get involved with lots of 'deep physics'. I am familiar with a little bit of group theory. can somebody suggest the right introductory material like tutorial papers or books for such a...
  23. F

    Questions on An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory by Peskin and Schroeder

    Greetings--I have a few questions from An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory by Peskin and Schroeder. Note: I'm not sure how to construct the contraction symbol using \LaTeX, so instead I will use the following cumbersome convention: \overbrace{\psi(x)\overline{\psi(y)}}=S_F(x-y), they...
  24. P

    Introduction to Rings and Fields- Help

    I really don't want to define a homomorphism like psi(p(x))=p(x-1+I I'm looking for another way to solve that next question: Show that Q[x]/(x-1) is isomorphic to Q[x]/(x-2). Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
  25. marlon

    Introduction To Loop Quantum Gravity

    INTRODUCTION TO LOOP QUANTUM GRAVITY, everything you ever wanted to know... In Loop Quantum Gravity, also referred to as LQG, the attempt is made to introduce the concept of quantum gravity. This is the unification of the General Theory of Relativity and the Quantummechanics. It is a very...
  26. Q

    Solution to Griffiths introduction to EM problem 2.26

    Hi, there, Could you please show me the solution to Griffiths Introduction to Electrodynamics, problem 2.26? The integral is so complicated. Thanks
  27. R

    Where Can I Find Online Solutions for Griffiths Introduction to QM?

    Anyone know of any online solutions? Thanks.
  28. R

    Quantum Field Theory: A Modern Introduction

    I noticed that some copies of this book are available at Amazon for as low as $13.00, and increbible price. I just ordered a copy for my self. If anyone else is interested, they are here:
  29. J

    Introduction to Complex Analysis

    Hi people, I'm Joseph, 17, English studying European Baccalaureate. I was wondering if anyone here could recommend for me a good introductory book on Complex Analysis that requires only an understanding of the complex numbers you would cover in High School Maths. Maybe something...
  30. M

    Best Introduction to Calculus Book

    Hey, I know this is not on the level of the regular posts here, but I just want your opinions, on a good book to be introduced to calculus In my science classes I have been continually been intrigued by many things (one of which, Maxwell's 4 equations). I ask questions, which results...
  31. D

    Need a good Introduction to Circuit Analysis book

    Need a good "Introduction to Circuit Analysis book" I am studying to be an EE and will be taking my first circuits, and computer engineering classes this fall and would would really like to get a head start on the material. The textbook for the circuits course is "Basic Engineering Circuit...
  32. J

    Introduction to the Lagrangian form of classical mechanics

    I've been trying to find a good introduction to the Lagrangian form of classical mechanics. Preferably something I can get over the web, since I'm not at Uni this year. I might like something particularly slow :tongue:
  33. F

    Consistence problems and Introduction to relativity

    Hello there! In my last Electromagnetism lecture, the teacher explained that Newton's 3rd law doesn't work when we "sit" on a charged particle and move at the same velocity while another particle is moving at another v velocitiy perpendicular to ours. How ist it that Newton doesn't work...
  34. S

    Introduction to Geometrodynamics

    http://new.math.uiuc.edu/optiverse/img/rs11-107.jpeg Bubble eversions An Introduction to Geometrodynamics The existence of gravitational waves is a prediction of the General Theory of Relativity which is Einstein's explanation of the gravitational interaction (1915). The basic idea...
  35. S

    Quick Introduction to Tensor Analysis

    Ruslan Sharipov has a nifty online textbook on this subject. It's written in interactive do-it-yourself style. Give it a glance, and see what you think.
  36. suyver

    Introduction to Standard Model: presentation(s) requested

    Hi all, I have been asked to give an informal presentation on the Standard Model to some chemists (note that this is not really my field of expertise ). I was wondering if there are some good (powerpoint) presentations out there that I could use to base mine on. That would save me a lot of...
  37. MathematicalPhysicist

    Introduction to twistor theory

    does someone know where may i find itroductory information about twistor theory? im asking because the website of twistor theory with introduction paper is currently not working. thanks in advance.
  38. Greg Bernhardt

    An Introduction to Black Hole Thermodynamics

    Black Holes have always ben a controversial affair among Theoretical Astrophysicists. Especially, the Thermodynamics of a Black Hole. It was considered that the entropy of a Black Hole is infinitely large until Stephen Hawking proved that Black Holes are not really Black. They infact Radiate and...
  39. P

    Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Third Edition, by Richard Liboff

    "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Third Edition," by Richard Liboff Does anyone here have "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Third Edition," by Richard Liboff? I'd like some help with the way he explains Hermite functions. In the problems he says to prove a the relation exp(2zt -...
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