Introduction- Notebook Draft

Due date for Homework #3: January 22, 2020 (Wednesday)

It is now time to use the information you gathered while doing research to write the Introduction section of your Written Report. This is the first thing the reader looks at and should motivate the reader to continue.

This section should be descriptive paragraphs that include the information below in well written sentences. Review the written report outline at the end of the handbook. There are several key elements to this part of the written report. (Hint – check the boxes off as you complete the different elements)

⃞ Introduce the topic – Start off this paragraph with some general information about the topic and then become more specific about your project as you transition to the second paragraph. In this paragraph make sure to describe:

• The topic your experiment falls under (For example: “Humans have been cultivating and growing plants for thousands of years. Scientists in both agriculture and botany study the best methods and conditions for growing crops….”)
• Why you selected that topic (For example: “As the population grows in size, it will be important that we are able to produce enough food on the land we have.”)
• What could be learned from your experiment/project (“This experiment may demonstrate a more successful way to grow crops. This would ensure that we’re able to continue to feed ourselves.”)

⃞ Introduce the experiment – Describe the general procedure for the experiment. This should not be a step-by-step list of everything you will do. Think about this paragraph as how you might describe your project to another teacher or another student. This is just several sentences that describes the general process.

⃞ Introduction of the variables – Provide a detailed explanation of:

• The dependent variable
• How will it be measured
• Why it was identified as the dependent variable (“By measuring _________________ it will show that ________________….”)
• The independent variable
• How will it be changed through the different experimental groups.(“Each group will have ________”)

⃞ Introduce your hypothesis:

• Remember to follow the ‘If….then...because’ format.
• Detailing what will you predict will happen to the dependent variable as the independent variable is modified. (“As the independent variable increases then the __________ will decrease/increase because _______”)
• Explaining what results will be seen if the independent variable affects the dependent variable the way you expect it to.What will be the trend that will be seen in the data collected? This explanation should be supported by research you have collected about how the independent variable is related to the dependent variable.

General thoughts on Introduction/Background Information section:

• Provide details and include the research you’ve done.
• DOUBLE SPACE!
• Give background information about each level of independent variable
• How will the dependent variable answer the question you’re investigating?
• What is the point of the experiment? Why does your experiment matter in the real world? (aka - what do you hope to learn)
• Introduce your topic means explain it as well as state it.