Components of an Introduction

As you have seen, an introduction may include various components. Here is a list of the typical components of introductions. Note that the context and main message are essential; the other components are optional. You may not need all of the optional components in every report, so you should adapt the list to match the needs of your reader.

Essential Components

Context
In the opening section of the report, you should get the reader’s attention and provide needed context. One to two paragraphs of context is usually sufficient, even for longer reports.

Main Message
The main message answers the reader’s main question. It states the writer’s thesis or provides an overview of key topics in the form of an umbrella statement.

Optional components

You do not need to include all of the following in your report, only what you deem to be necessary.

Scope
The scope establishes what the report includes and what it deliberately omits.

Relevance
The relevance to readers highlights why this report will be important to them, to the institution, or to the client.

Purpose
The purpose establishes what the writer wants to achieve with the report. You should omit it only when the purpose is implicitly understood by the reader.

Methodology
The methodology explains how the writer researched the report. If included, this should be very brief. Often reports have separate sections to explain the methodology in detail.

Summary of Findings
The summary of findings quickly points the readers to the main points. If used, it often provides the theoretical or factual basis for the main message. Depending on purpose of the report, the summary of findings may be the main message.

Road Map
The road map reveals the structure of the report and explains briefly how the report is organized. This is only required if you think your readers will need extra guidance on the structure of the report, or if it is mandated by your work unit for a particular type of report.