How Long Should an Intro be for a Research Paper
On the basis of the entire length of the paper, the publication structure, and the complication of the topic, the length of the introduction in a research paper is determined. We provide a standard instruction and explanation based on the length of an introduction for a research paper:
Usual Lengths for an Introduction:
| Paper Type | Paper Length | Intro Length |
| Short paper (4–6 pages) | 4–6 pages | ~½ page to 1 page |
| Standard paper (8–12 pages) | 8–12 pages | ~1 to 1.5 pages |
| Long paper (15–20+ pages) | 15–20+ pages | ~2 to 3 pages |
| Thesis/dissertation | 50+ pages | ~5+ pages or 1 full chapter |
What to Encompass in the Introduction:
- Hook / Setting: The topic must be presented. It is advisable to describe its significance explicitly.
- Background: Generally, the main concepts or terms ought to be summarized in a concise manner.
- Gap / Problem Statement: It is significant to encompass the aspects that are lacking in the recent study.
- Goal / Focus: The intention of our paper to attain should be indicated.
- Research Queries or Hypothesis (optional): It is considered as an optional to include in the introduction segment.
- Paper Structure (optional): Focus on summarizing the information that is encompassed in every segment in a short way.
Through highlighting the significance of the research and instructing readers to interpret the research’s objective and scope, the introduction plays a vital role in a research paper. In this article, the usual direction based on the length of an introduction is suggested by us.
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