introduction dissertation candide

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Publiée en 1759, Candide est une œuvre emblématique du siècle des Lumière .

Elle délivre un message puissant sur la recherche du bonheur dans un monde imparfait tout en proposant une critique sociale et philosophique du XVIIIème siècle.

Candide : analyse en vidéo

Qui est Voltaire ?

François-Marie Arouet , plus connu sous le nom de Voltaire (1694-1778), fut l’un des plus éminents écrivains et philosophes du siècle des Lumières en France.

Célèbre pour son esprit incisif, son engagement en faveur de la tolérance et son combat contre l’obscurantisme , Voltaire fut un auteur prolifique qui s’est exprimé dans de nombreux genre s : théâtre, contes et essais philosophiques, poésie, articles d’Encyclopédie…

Son esprit critique et son engagement pour la liberté ont contribué à diffuser l’esprit des Lumières dans l’ensemble de la société européenne.

Analyses d’extraits de Candide :

• Candide, chapitre 1
• Candide, chapitre 3
• Candide, chapitre 6
• Candide, chapitre 18
• Candide, chapitre 19
• Candide, chapitre 30

Comment résumer Candide de Voltaire ?

Candide vit paisiblement au château du Baron de Thunder-ten-Tronckh en Westphalie où il reçoit des leçons du philosophe Pangloss , qui prêche l’optimisme en déclarant que tout est pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes possibles .

Cependant, après un baiser échangé avec Cunégonde , la fille du Baron, Candide est chassé du château.

Il entreprend alors un voyage initiatique à travers le monde qui va lui permettre peu à peu de s’affranchir de l’enseignement philosophique qu’il a reçu de son maître Pangloss. Enrôlé dans les troupes bulgares au chapitre III, Candide assiste ainsi à la brutalité de la guerre lors d’une « boucherie héroïque ».

Il fuit vers Lisbonne où il est confronté à un terrible tremblement de terre et à l’ intolérance religieuse . Condamné lors d’un autodafé , il parvient à échapper à ses persécuteurs et tue l’amant de Cunégonde pour s’échapper en Espagne.

Accompagné de son valet Cacambo, de Cunégonde et d’une vieille servante, il embarque pour le Paraguay .

Au chapitre XVI, la troupe de jeunes gens est capturée par les Oreillons , une tribu sauvage et féroce, et manque de justesse d’être mangée. Aux chapitres XVII et XVIII, ils arrivent au fameux Eldorado , un lieu merveilleux , caractérisé par une abondance de richesses matérielles, une organisation sociale égalitaire et une absence de fanatisme religieux. Les jeunes gens décident pourtant de poursuivre leur chemin.

Candide embarque alors pour l’Europe et fait la rencontre de Martin , un philosophe pessimiste , qui partage son point de vue sombre sur la nature humaine.

Leur voyage les mène à Bordeaux, puis à Paris, où Candide frôle la mort en raison des soins médicaux peu fiables .

Ils longent les côtes d’Angleterre sans y accoster car Candide s’indigne de voir l’ exécution d’un officier anglais .

Finalement, ils atteignent Venise et rencontrent Pococurante , un riche noble vénitien désillusionné et blasé , ainsi que six rois détronés. Ils partent ensuite pour Constantinople , où Candide retrouve Cunégonde enlaidie .

Ils s’installent tous dans une métairie , et se tournent vers une vie plus simple et équilibrée, orientée vers le travail concret. Le chapitre XXX se conclut ainsi :

« Pangloss disait quelquefois à Candide : Tous les événements sont enchaînés dans le meilleur des mondes possibles ; car enfin si vous n’aviez pas été chassé d’un beau château à grands coups de pied dans le derrière pour l’amour de mademoiselle Cunégonde, si vous n’aviez pas été mis à l’Inquisition, si vous n’aviez pas couru l’Amérique à pied, si vous n’aviez pas donné un bon coup d’épée au baron, si vous n’aviez pas perdu tous vos moutons du bon pays d’Eldorado, vous ne mangeriez pas ici des cédrats confits et des pistaches.– Cela est bien dit, répondit Candide, mais il faut cultiver notre jardin. »  Candide , chapitre XXX

Clique ici pour lire le résumé de Candide chapitre par chapitre.

Qui sont les personnages principaux dans Candide ?

Personnage principal du conte, Candide est un jeune homme naïf et optimiste , ayant été élevé dans l’idée que « tout est au mieux dans le meilleur des mondes possibles » par son précepteur, Pangloss .

Au fil du récit, Candide est confronté à de nombreuses épreuves et découvre la dure réalité du monde. Son voyage initiatique lui permet de développer sa compréhension du mal, de la souffrance et de la nature humaine . Il incarne la quête du bonheur et de la vérité .

Le précepteur de Candide, Pangloss, est un philosophe optimiste qui enseigne que «  tout est pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes possibles « , et ce en dépit des malheurs et catastrophes auxquels il est confronté. Pangloss incarne l’ optimisme naïf et la confiance aveugle, malgré les preuves évidentes du mal et de la souffrance dans le monde.

C’est un personnage qui n’évolue pas au cours du récit, contrairement à Candide qui s’affranchit de ses préjugés.

Cunégonde, dont Candide est amoureux , est la fille du baron du château de Thunder-ten-Tronckh .

Au début du récit, c’est une jeune femme séduisante et désirable que Candide va tout faire pour retrouver, malgré les multiples épreuves et déceptions qu’il rencontre.

Lorsqu’ils se retrouvent à la fin du conte, Cunégonde n’a pas été épargnée par les souffrances de la vie. Enlevée, violée, maltraitée, elle s’est enlaidie . Elle incarne donc la confrontation avec la réalité brutale du monde .

Martin est un philosophe pessimiste que Candide rencontre lors de ses voyages en Europe.

Contrairement à Pangloss, Martin considère que le monde est fondamentalement mauvais . Pour lui, la souffrance et l’injustice sont inévitables. Il représente donc une voix discordante face à l’optimisme naïf de Pangloss.

Le baron de Thunder-ten-Tronckh

Le baron est le père de Cunégonde et le propriétaire du château où Candide vit au début de l’histoire. Il chasse Candide du château en raison de son amour pour Cunégonde.

Le baron représente l’ arrogance et la rigidité sociale de l’aristocratie de l’époque, mettant en évidence les inégalités et les injustices du système féodal.

Cacambo est le valet fidèle de Candide qui l’accompagne tout au long de ses aventures.

Il incarne la loyauté, l’ingéniosité et la fidélité envers son maître. Il représente également la voix de la raison face à l’optimisme naïf de Candide, l’aidant à prendre des décisions judicieuses au cours de leur périple (par exemple, il sauve Candide des Oreillons dans le chapitre XVI)

Quels sont les thèmes importants dans Candide ?

La critique de l’optimisme.

Candide ou l’Optimisme s’inscrit dans un débat important au XVIIIème siècle qui oppose Voltaire et le philosophe allemand Leibniz .

Leibniz considère que le monde est guidé par le principe de «  raison suffisante  » dans une «  harmonie parfaite préétablie  » par Dieu. Ainsi «  tout est pour le mieux  » puisque tout est organisé par une intelligence supérieure, celle de Dieu.

Pour Voltaire, cet optimisme philosophique défie la raison et l’observation.

Il décide alors d’écrire un conte philosophique avec deux personnages types, le professeur Pangloss (clairement l’ incarnation de Leibniz ) et Candide un personnage naïf, vierge de tout préjugés qui va mettre à l’épreuve les théories optimistes de son maître .

C’est ainsi que Candide va connaître la guerre (chapitre III), la superstition et l’injustice (chapitre VII), la captivité (chapitre XVI), l’ennui (chapitre XVIII), la maladie (XXIV), le scepticisme et la vanité des sciences (Chapitre XXV), et la déception de retrouver Cunégonde enlaidie.

Ce tour du monde de la tragédie humaine a vocation à déconstruire l’optimisme naïf de Candide qui adoptera à la fin du conte une a utre philosophie, plus pragmatique  : «  il faut cultiver notre jardin  » .

Le tour du monde de Candide est l’occasion pour Voltaire de montrer que le mal est universel et qu’il est partout . Le conte explore différentes manifestations du mal :

– Le mal dans la société : « Candide » critique la société européenne du XVIIIe siècle en mettant en évidence les inégalités sociales, la corruption et les abus de pouvoir . Les guerres injustes , l’intolérance religieuse , l’exploitation des paysans et l’arrogance des élites aristocratiques dessinent une société gangrénée par le mal.

– Mais le mal est également naturel : tout au long du récit, Candide et ses compagnons sont confrontés à des désastres naturels tel le tremblement de terre de Lisbonne. L’épisode de la tribu sauvage des Oreillons montre aussi qu’à l’état de nature, les hommes ne sont pas naturellement bons.

– La souffrance de l’expérience humaine : Les personnages de « Candide » sont soumis à d’innombrables souffrances et tragédies personnelles tout au long du roman : maladies, perte d’un être cher, tromperie du conjoint, etc.

Tout en dépeignant un monde marqué par l’injustice et la souffrance, Voltaire ne se contente toutefois pas de critiquer passivement le mal. Le philosophe soulève la question du libre arbitre et de la responsabilité humaine face au mal .

La recherche du bonheur réside ainsi dans l’acceptation des réalités, dans l’action pragmatiqu e et le partage des valeurs humaines fondamentales telles que la tolérance, la compassion et la solidarité.

La quête du bonheur

Le bonheur est un thème fondamental au XVIIIème siècle. Avec Candide , Voltaire remet en cause certaines visions du bonheur en vogue au XVIIIème siècle :Il montre que le bonheur ne réside pas dans un état de nature comme le prétend Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Ainsi, le chapitre XVI sur les Oreillons souligne que le bon sauvage n’est qu’un mythe . C’est parce qu’ils sont civilisés que Candide et Cacambo ont la vie sauve.

– Ensuite, Voltaire suggère que le bonheur ne réside pas non plus dans les sociétés politiques . Il déconstruit ainsi le mythe d’ Eldorado et du nouveau monde, lieu à l’organisation politique parfaite, qui ne parvient pas à faire rester Candide.

– L’auteur montre aussi que le bonheur ne réside pas dans le voyage . En effet, le périple de Candide ne correspond qu’à une succession de fuites au cours desquelles le personnage principal apprend la déception et la mélancolie.

– Le bonheur ne réside pas non plus dans les possessions matérielles . Ainsi, Pococurante, seigneur désillusionné et blasé, possède une immense collection d’œuvres d’art et de livres, ainsi que tout ce qu’il désire, mais demeure insatisfait de tout.

– Le bonheur se trouve finalement dans une sorte de bien être minimal épicurien où il convient de cultiver son jardin.

Le voyage est un thème central dans Candide.

Il joue tout d’abord un rôle narratif puisque chaque déplacement des personnages d’un continent à l’autre donne lieu à des rencontres, des aventures et des épreuves qui mettent en lumière les incohérences et les absurdités du monde. Le voyage est également la métaphore de la quête existentielle de Candide.

Au fur et à mesure de ses aventures, Candide est confronté à des événements tragiques et à des dilemmes moraux qui le conduisent à remettre en question les idées préconçues qu’il a reçues de son précepteur, Pangloss, et à adopter une approche plus réaliste et pragmatique face aux difficultés de la vie. La voyage de Candide, qui est circulaire, peut aussi être analysé comme une métaphore de l’Encyclopédie . L’encyclopédie est en effet un ambitieux ouvrage en cours de rédaction lors de la publication de Candide et qui a pour but de faire un tour du monde des connaissances .

Candide peut être considéré comme la métaphore de l’esprit encyclopédique qui fait le tour du monde, l’expérimente pour en tirer des leçons de sagesse.

Quelles sont les caractéristiques de l’écriture de Voltaire dans Candide ?

L’écriture de Voltaire est d’une richesse inouïe dans ce conte.

L’exotisme des récits de voyage du XVIIIème siècle

Tout d’abord, Voltaire a recours à l’exotisme , qui permet aux lecteurs de s’évader et de trouver des charmes pittoresques à cette aventure.

Le passage par Eldorado est par exemple très attendu par les lecteurs de l’époque, abreuvés aux récits de voyages depuis la fin du XVIIème .

Un rythme enlevé

Ensuite, Voltaire crée une narration dynamique, enlevée où il se passe toujours quelque chose. Les péripéties sont nombreuses. Voltaire multiplie les personnages, les sépare et les rassemble à la fin.

En ce sens, Candide a beaucoup de points communs avec les comédies théâtrales , comme celles de Molière : le nom des personnages, les types caricaturaux qui rappellent des personnages de théâtre comique, la multiplication des personnages, des séparations et des retrouvailles.

Des registres variés

Voltaire utilise aussi le registre tragique pour montrer son indignation face à la guerre notamment au chapitre III.

Le style pathétique et le réalisme froid pour décrire les cadavres ensanglantés provoquent terreur et pitié.

L’ironie

Mais le trait saillant de l’écriture de Candide est sans conteste l’ironie qui dénonce les injustices et suscite la réflexion du lecteur tout en le divertissant avec un récit humoristique et plein d’esprit. Par exemple, lorsque Pangloss affirme que « tout est au mieux dans le meilleur des mondes possibles » malgré les terribles épreuves que les personnages endurent, Voltaire utilise l’ ironie pour montrer le décalage entre la vision optimiste de Pangloss et la réalité de la souffrance vécue par les personnages. Ou au chapitre III, lorsque Voltaire qualifie la guerre de «  boucherie héroïque  », il contredit un terme épique (« héroïque ») en le juxtaposant à un terme décrivant la cruelle réalité (« boucherie »).

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The Folly of Optimism: “Candide” by Voltaire Essay

Put in print in 1759, Candide has been considered as one of the most Voltaire’s masterpiece. In Candide, Voltaire sharply criticized the corruptible power of the nobility, futile speculations of philosophy, religious hypocrisy, cruelty and the folly of optimism. Even though Candide in many instances have been considered as representative manuscript of enlightenment, the book satirizes many philosophies of the enlightenment and makes it obvious that enlightenment was far distance from huge movement it purports to be.

The book is a reflection of the Voltaire’s enduring dislike of the powerful religious regimes and the superciliousness of the French nobility. In contrast, Candide leveled Voltaire’s criticism against the enlightenment philosophical movement. Candid attacked the optimistic school of thought assertion that rational thinking was capable of ending the tribulations committed by humans.

Voltaire examined in depth the folly of optimism and his attack can be seen in Pangloss optimistic philosophy. “Pangloss granted teaching in the metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology. He splendidly attested that there cannot perhaps be a consequence with no cause and that in this probably best world the castle that belonged to the baron was the most stunning amongst every castle and of all baronesses, his wife was ideally the best.

Pangloss alleged that, ‘Most things might not appear beyond what they currently look like given that all things became into being to manifestly serve the preeminent end’. In fact, we have spectacles owing to the fact that noses were created to support the spectacles’ (Voltaire, 8).

Pangloss philosophy as quoted is one of the most important targets of Voltaire’s sardonic poke. Pangloss and his student Candide believed that individuals subsist ‘in the best of every probable world’ (Voltaire, 8). However, the appalling life they were going through was in total contrast to the belief.

In fact, their belief was similar to the beliefs of most famous philosophers during Voltaire’s epoch. Basically, Leibniz affirmed that given that the caring Lord made the universe out of imagination, the universe ought to be best possible. The human perception under such systems is that evils exist because people do not understand the underlying forces which control the world. Thus, they are not aware that evils exist for the larger betterment.

In the excerpt, Voltaire (8) did not merely disparage the ensuing philosophical sanguinity but equally the philosophical eccentricity of Enlightenment. Many philosophers of enlightenment such as Leibniz emphasized more on the interactions of causal-effect.

The spectacle and breeches argument by Pangloss clearly shows a ridiculous incapacity in distinguishing causal-effect. According to Voltaire (8) assertions, the almighty Lord had no intentions of creating noses to suit spectacles but He planned for the reverse. Basically, Voltaire had the intentions of clarifying eminent defects witnessed in the philosophy of enlightenment.

It is apparent in Candide that uphill struggles serve as the supreme therapy for any kind of boredom. Nevertheless, just as Pangloss pointed out in the novel, the cure brings to mind the days of mankind in the Eden’s Garden (Voltaire, 83), where man was the controller of everything.

It similarly emerged that the characters providence were ideally controlled in their respective petite plots, and this has not been amicably realized until this moment (Voltaire, 86). Indeed, their lives in the mercy of circumstances have now been literally replaced. They are now reaping what they had sowed. Surprisingly, the fictional argument in opposition to optimism can be given a happy ending and the reader might thus be left wondering whether Pangloss was right in claiming to be living ‘in the probably best worlds’.

The allegations and the arguments against it are however confined by the way of life the characters have found out. In the concluding phrase, Candide asserted that there was no ample room in gardening which would permit rational speculation and this implied that human beings are bound to be fruitful and glad as a consequence.

Works Cited

Voltaire. Candide . Retrieved from: https://archive.org/details/candide_librivox

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IvyPanda. (2022, March 23). The Folly of Optimism: "Candide" by Voltaire. https://ivypanda.com/essays/candide-by-voltaire/

"The Folly of Optimism: "Candide" by Voltaire." IvyPanda , 23 Mar. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/candide-by-voltaire/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'The Folly of Optimism: "Candide" by Voltaire'. 23 March.

IvyPanda . 2022. "The Folly of Optimism: "Candide" by Voltaire." March 23, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/candide-by-voltaire/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Folly of Optimism: "Candide" by Voltaire." March 23, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/candide-by-voltaire/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Folly of Optimism: "Candide" by Voltaire." March 23, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/candide-by-voltaire/.

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Introduction à ‘Candide’ de Voltaire : Une Analyse Approfondie

Symbols: 3299

Candide est un chef-d’œuvre de la littérature française écrit par Voltaire, un des plus grands philosophes du XVIIIème siècle. Il s’agit d’un conte philosophique qui offre une critique satirique de la société de son époque, en particulier de l’optimisme philosophique promu par Leibniz. Dans cet article, nous allons analyser le contexte dans lequel l’œuvre a été écrite et examiner l’intrigue et les thèmes de l’histoire pour comprendre davantage ce conte emblématique.

Comprendre le Contexte de ‘Candide’ par Voltaire

Voltaire a écrit Candide en 1759, période marquée par de grands changements sociaux, politiques et intellectuels en Europe. C’est l’ère des Lumières, un mouvement qui a cherché à remettre en question les idées reçues et à promouvoir la raison et la liberté de pensée. Voltaire, en tant que l’un des plus influents philosophes des Lumières, utilise l’humour et la satire dans Candide pour critiquer l’optimisme aveugle, l’église, le gouvernement et la guerre.

L’optimisme aveugle est principalement représenté par la philosophie de Leibniz, que Voltaire a trouvée trop naïve et déconnectée de la réalité. Leibniz croyait que nous vivions dans le meilleur des mondes possibles, idée que Voltaire a rejetée en raison des injustices et des souffrances omniprésentes dans la société. Par ailleurs, l’église est également critiquée pour son hypocrisie et sa corruption, tandis que le gouvernement est dépeint comme étant injuste et oppressif.

Analyse De l’Intrigue et des Thèmes Principaux dans ‘Candide’

Le conte de Voltaire suit le voyage de Candide, un jeune homme naïf qui a été élevé dans un château en Westphalie, en Allemagne, où il a appris la philosophie optimiste de son tuteur, le Dr Pangloss. Après avoir été chassé du château pour avoir embrassé Cunégonde, la fille du baron, Candide commence un voyage à travers le monde qui le conduit à expérimenter toutes sortes de souffrances et d’injustices.

Le thème principal de Candide est la critique de l’optimisme aveugle. Tout au long du récit, Candide et Pangloss continuent d’affirmer que "tout est pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes", malgré toutes les preuves contraires qu’ils rencontrent. Voltaire utilise ces personnages pour montrer que l’optimisme sans critique est naïf et peut même être dangereux, car il empêche les gens de voir et de combattre l’injustice.

Un autre thème majeur de Candide est la critique de l’église et du gouvernement. Voltaire dépeint les représentants de l’église comme étant hypocrites et corrompus, et il critique le gouvernement pour son autoritarisme et son manque de justice. De plus,

En conclusion, Candide de Voltaire est un conte philosophique puissant qui nous offre une critique satirique de l’optimisme aveugle, de l’église, du gouvernement et de la guerre. En utilisant l’humour et la satire, Voltaire expose les injustices de la société de son époque et souligne l’importance de la raison et de la pensée critique. Ainsi, Candide reste une œuvre pertinente aujourd’hui, car elle nous rappelle de toujours questionner les idées reçues et de lutter contre l’injustice.

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Candide ou l'Optimisme, Voltaire

Par Zachary Gerard   •  3 Mai 2024  •  Dissertation  •  590 Mots (3 Pages)  •  42 Vues

Introduction

Candide ou l'Optimisme est un conte philosophique écrit par Voltaire en 1759. Ce texte satirique met en scène les aventures de Candide, un jeune homme naïf et optimiste, qui est confronté à de nombreuses épreuves et catastrophes. À travers les péripéties de son héros, Voltaire critique la philosophie de l'optimisme, qui prône la croyance en un monde parfaitement harmonieux

et bienveillant.

Dans cette dissertation, nous allons analyser les thèmes principaux de Candide, notamment la critique de l'optimisme, la question du mal et de la souffrance, et la quête du bonheur. Nous verrons comment Voltaire utilise l'ironie et le sarcasme pour dénoncer les absurdités de la société de son époque, tout en proposant une réflexion sur la condition humaine.

La critique de l'optimisme

Le personnage de Pangloss incarne l'optimisme dans le conte de Voltaire. Il est convaincu que "tout est pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes possibles", même lorsque Candide et lui-même sont confrontés à des événements tragiques et absurdes. Voltaire se moque de cette vision simpliste et naïve du monde, en montrant que la réalité est bien plus complexe et cruelle.

À travers les multiples péripéties de Candide, Voltaire démontre que l'optimisme est une illusion dangereuse, qui empêche les individus de voir la réalité telle qu'elle est. Les personnages du conte sont confrontés à la violence, à l'injustice et à la souffrance, ce qui remet en question la notion d'un monde parfaitement ordonné et bienveillant.

La question du mal et de la souffrance

Candide est un conte marqué par la violence et la cruauté. Les personnages sont confrontés à des catastrophes naturelles, des guerres, des injustices sociales, et subissent de nombreuses épreuves. Voltaire met en lumière la réalité du mal et de la souffrance dans le monde, et remet en question l'idée d'un Dieu tout-puissant et bienveillant.

Le personnage de Martin incarne le pessimisme et la lucidité face à la condition humaine. Il est convaincu que le monde est gouverné par le mal et l'injustice, et que la souffrance est inévitable. À travers les dialogues entre Candide et Martin, Voltaire propose une réflexion profonde sur la nature humaine et sur la difficulté de trouver un sens à la vie.

La quête du bonheur

Malgré les épreuves et les désillusions, Candide ne perd jamais espoir et continue sa quête du bonheur. Il refuse de se laisser abattre par les événements tragiques et cherche à trouver un sens à sa vie. Voltaire montre que le bonheur n'est pas une quête

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• / Dissertation Méthode et Exemple

DISSERTATION SUR CANDIDE DE VOLTAIRE

Par alalallalao   •  14 Janvier 2019  •  Dissertation  •  1 426 Mots (6 Pages)  •  9 706 Vues

Hugo Jacquemin-Verguet          2 de 3

Dissertation sur Candide de Voltaire

Voltaire, surnom de François-Marie Arouet, est un grand philosophe du 18 ème  siècle. Dans sa vie il aura écrit de nombreux livres, 200 exactement. Parmi tous ses livres, il écrit Candide ou l’optimisme, un conte philosophique qui raconte l’histoire d’un personnage appelé Candide. Voltaire va critiquer énormément de choses et de personnes dans ce conte philosophique. Dans cette dissertation nous allons traiter sur le conte victorien qui offre la particularité remarquable que la fantaisie et la vérité, intimement mêlées l’une à l’autre, s’y renforcent mutuellement. Je vais expliquer et commenter ce sujet en fondant une réflexion sur mon étude de Candide ou l’optimisme en me posant la problématique : Comment voltaire fait-il pour lier fantaisie et vérité dans son conte philosophique Candide ? Nous verrons en premier la fantaisie dans le conte voltairien et nous verrons finalement les réalités associées à cette fantaisie.

  Le conte est avant tout un récit divertissant et plein de fantaisie. Visant à faire divertir le lecteur, il est donc souvent fondé sur l'imaginaire. De ce fait, Voltaire est obligé d'avoir recours à cette fantaisie dans ces contes. Mêlant retournements soudains et hasards invraisemblables, les contes voltairiens mettent souvent en place des mondes parsemés d'imaginaire. C'est par exemple le cas dans Candide qui se rend dans le pays utopique et purement fantaisiste de l’Eldorado. En évoquant des voyages dans des pays imaginaires, des dignes du fantastique ou encore en introduisant des animaux sorti d’un conte de fée, ce conte philosophique s'inscrit donc dans la logique des contes.

Ainsi, le précurseur du conte philosophique s'applique à ancrer dès le début le lecteur dans un monde teinté d'imaginaire, afin de le mettre à l'aise et de l'instruire tout en le divertissant. De plus, Voltaire a recours au merveilleux afin de délivrer des morales et des enseignements qui relèvent de la sagesse.

Ainsi, Voltaire a recours à l'invraisemblance et à la démesure pour bien installer son lecteur. Mais ce n'est pas tout, il introduit aussi le merveilleux qui lui servent à transporter le lecteur dans le rêve. Par ailleurs, on peut relever de nombreux éléments relevant du merveilleux et qui sont propres au conte, Voltaire réalise des parodies du merveilleux des récits légendaires. Dans Candide par exemple, des objets magiques sont présents, comme la pommade magique de la « vieille ».

Se retrouvant dans le monde magique du rêve, le lecteur reçoit alors des leçons de sagesse philosophique. Dans Candide, c'est l’optimisme qui est le thème des leçons, Voltaire critique cette doctrine philosophique tout au long de son livre en créant un personnage du nom de Pangloss qui est le maitre de Candide qui lui enseigne que tout est bien dans le meilleur des mondes.

Ainsi, Voltaire fait intervenir la fantaisie dans ses œuvres en ayant recours à l'invraisemblance et au merveilleux notamment. Cependant, il donne aussi une véritable leçon de vérité, principe du conte philosophique.

Le conte philosophique voltairien mêle donc fantaisie et vérité. Cette dernière est représentée par la sagesse et les leçons qu'essaient de faire passer Voltaire et les écrivains de contes philosophiques.

Afin de faire comprendre à son lecteur que le conte a aussi sa part de vérité et de réel, le conte voltairien fait de nombreuses allusions et références explicites ou implicites à des personnages ou à des événements réels et qui ont vraiment existé.  Par exemple dans Candide, des allusions à certaines pensées philosophiques sont faites comme celle de Leibniz et son optimisme ou encore celle de Thomas Hobbes. Candide a en quelque sorte pour sujet principal l’Optimisme de Leibniz, mathématicien, scientifique et philosophe du XVIIème siècle qui publia en 1710 sa doctrine philosophique qui sera ensuite simplifié et critiqué par Voltaire dans Candide ou l’Optimisme. La réflexion étant mise en place par le biais de nombreux débats dans Candide, des allusions sont ainsi faites aux débats philosophiques qui règnent à l'époque des Lumières et au XVIIIème siècle.

De nombreux philosophes des Lumières et notamment Voltaire se dressent durant le siècle des Lumières contre la superstition, prônant la sagesse et l'esprit de recherche ainsi que la science.

Ainsi, on retrouve cet esprit philosophique dans les contes voltairiens. Les superstitions, les interdits religieux et les rites cruels sont ainsi fustigés. Dans Candide par exemple on assiste à une critique de l'absurdité de la guerre et de l’esclavage. On retrouve alors dans le chapitre 3 une référence à la guerre, qui opposa les Bulgares aux Abares, et dans le chapitre 18 une référence à l’absurdité de l’esclavage à Surinam. De plus, l'aveuglement et l'irresponsabilité des gouvernants sont aussi dénoncés, les rois qui ordonnent impunément les guerres sans avoir à supporter l'horreur dégoûtent Voltaire.

How To Write A Dissertation Introduction

A Simple Explainer With Examples + Free Template

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By Dr Eunice Rautenbach (D. Tech) | March 2020

If you’re reading this, you’re probably at the daunting early phases of writing up the introduction chapter of your dissertation or thesis. It can be intimidating, I know. 

In this post, we’ll look at the 7 essential ingredients of a strong dissertation or thesis introduction chapter, as well as the essential things you need to keep in mind as you craft each section. We’ll also share some useful tips to help you optimize your approach.

Overview: Writing An Introduction Chapter

• The purpose and function of the intro chapter
• Craft an enticing and engaging opening section
• Provide a background and context to the study
• Clearly define the research problem
• State your research aims, objectives and questions
• Explain the significance of your study
• Identify the limitations of your research
• Outline the structure of your dissertation or thesis

A quick sidenote:

You’ll notice that I’ve used the words dissertation and thesis interchangeably. While these terms reflect different levels of research – for example, Masters vs PhD-level research – the introduction chapter generally contains the same 7 essential ingredients regardless of level. So, in this post, dissertation introduction equals thesis introduction.

Start with why.

To craft a high-quality dissertation or thesis introduction chapter, you need to understand exactly what this chapter needs to achieve. In other words, what’s its purpose ? As the name suggests, the introduction chapter needs to introduce the reader to your research so that they understand what you’re trying to figure out, or what problem you’re trying to solve. More specifically, you need to answer four important questions in your introduction chapter.

These questions are:

• What will you be researching? (in other words, your research topic)
• Why is that worthwhile? (in other words, your justification)
• What will the scope of your research be? (in other words, what will you cover and what won’t you cover)
• What will the limitations of your research be? (in other words, what will the potential shortcomings of your research be?)

Simply put, your dissertation’s introduction chapter needs to provide an overview of your planned research , as well as a clear rationale for it. In other words, this chapter has to explain the “what” and the “why” of your research – what’s it all about and why’s that important.

Simple enough, right?

Well, the trick is finding the appropriate depth of information. As the researcher, you’ll be extremely close to your topic and this makes it easy to get caught up in the minor details. While these intricate details might be interesting, you need to write your introduction chapter on more of a “need-to-know” type basis, or it will end up way too lengthy and dense. You need to balance painting a clear picture with keeping things concise. Don’t worry though – you’ll be able to explore all the intricate details in later chapters.

Now that you understand what you need to achieve from your introduction chapter, we can get into the details. While the exact requirements for this chapter can vary from university to university, there are seven core components that most universities will require. We call these the seven essential ingredients . 

The 7 Essential Ingredients

• The opening section – where you’ll introduce the reader to your research in high-level terms
• The background to the study – where you’ll explain the context of your project
• The research problem – where you’ll explain the “gap” that exists in the current research
• The research aims , objectives and questions – where you’ll clearly state what your research will aim to achieve
• The significance (or justification) – where you’ll explain why your research is worth doing and the value it will provide to the world
• The limitations – where you’ll acknowledge the potential limitations of your project and approach
• The structure – where you’ll briefly outline the structure of your dissertation or thesis to help orient the reader

By incorporating these seven essential ingredients into your introduction chapter, you’ll comprehensively cover both the “ what ” and the “ why ” I mentioned earlier – in other words, you’ll achieve the purpose of the chapter.

Side note – you can also use these 7 ingredients in this order as the structure for your chapter to ensure a smooth, logical flow. This isn’t essential, but, generally speaking, it helps create an engaging narrative that’s easy for your reader to understand. If you’d like, you can also download our free introduction chapter template here.

Alright – let’s look at each of the ingredients now.

#1 – The Opening Section

The very first essential ingredient for your dissertation introduction is, well, an introduction or opening section. Just like every other chapter, your introduction chapter needs to start by providing a brief overview of what you’ll be covering in the chapter.

This section needs to engage the reader with clear, concise language that can be easily understood and digested. If the reader (your marker!) has to struggle through it, they’ll lose interest, which will make it harder for you to earn marks. Just because you’re writing an academic paper doesn’t mean you can ignore the basic principles of engaging writing used by marketers, bloggers, and journalists. At the end of the day, you’re all trying to sell an idea – yours is just a research idea.

So, what goes into this opening section?

Well, while there’s no set formula, it’s a good idea to include the following four foundational sentences in your opening section:

1 – A sentence or two introducing the overall field of your research.

For example:

“Organisational skills development involves identifying current or potential skills gaps within a business and developing programs to resolve these gaps. Management research, including X, Y and Z, has clearly established that organisational skills development is an essential contributor to business growth.”

2 – A sentence introducing your specific research problem.

“However, there are conflicting views and an overall lack of research regarding how best to manage skills development initiatives in highly dynamic environments where subject knowledge is rapidly and continuously evolving – for example, in the website development industry.”

3 – A sentence stating your research aims and objectives.

“This research aims to identify and evaluate skills development approaches and strategies for highly dynamic industries in which subject knowledge is continuously evolving.”.

4 – A sentence outlining the layout of the chapter.

“This chapter will provide an introduction to the study by first discussing the background and context, followed by the research problem, the research aims, objectives and questions, the significance and finally, the limitations.”

As I mentioned, this opening section of your introduction chapter shouldn’t be lengthy . Typically, these four sentences should fit neatly into one or two paragraphs, max. What you’re aiming for here is a clear, concise introduction to your research – not a detailed account.

PS – If some of this terminology sounds unfamiliar, don’t stress – I’ll explain each of the concepts later in this post.

#2 – Background to the study

Now that you’ve provided a high-level overview of your dissertation or thesis, it’s time to go a little deeper and lay a foundation for your research topic. This foundation is what the second ingredient is all about – the background to your study.

So, what is the background section all about?

Well, this section of your introduction chapter should provide a broad overview of the topic area that you’ll be researching, as well as the current contextual factors . This could include, for example, a brief history of the topic, recent developments in the area, key pieces of research in the area and so on. In other words, in this section, you need to provide the relevant background information to give the reader a decent foundational understanding of your research area.

Let’s look at an example to make this a little more concrete.

If we stick with the skills development topic I mentioned earlier, the background to the study section would start by providing an overview of the skills development area and outline the key existing research. Then, it would go on to discuss how the modern-day context has created a new challenge for traditional skills development strategies and approaches. Specifically, that in many industries, technical knowledge is constantly and rapidly evolving, and traditional education providers struggle to keep up with the pace of new technologies.

Importantly, you need to write this section with the assumption that the reader is not an expert in your topic area. So, if there are industry-specific jargon and complex terminology, you should briefly explain that here , so that the reader can understand the rest of your document.

Don’t make assumptions about the reader’s knowledge – in most cases, your markers will not be able to ask you questions if they don’t understand something. So, always err on the safe side and explain anything that’s not common knowledge.

#3 – The research problem

Now that you’ve given your reader an overview of your research area, it’s time to get specific about the research problem that you’ll address in your dissertation or thesis. While the background section would have alluded to a potential research problem (or even multiple research problems), the purpose of this section is to narrow the focus and highlight the specific research problem you’ll focus on.

But, what exactly is a research problem, you ask?

Well, a research problem can be any issue or question for which there isn’t already a well-established and agreed-upon answer in the existing research. In other words, a research problem exists when there’s a need to answer a question (or set of questions), but there’s a gap in the existing literature , or the existing research is conflicting and/or inconsistent.

So, to present your research problem, you need to make it clear what exactly is missing in the current literature and why this is a problem . It’s usually a good idea to structure this discussion into three sections – specifically:

• What’s already well-established in the literature (in other words, the current state of research)
• What’s missing in the literature (in other words, the literature gap)
• Why this is a problem (in other words, why it’s important to fill this gap)

Let’s look at an example of this structure using the skills development topic.

Organisational skills development is critically important for employee satisfaction and company performance (reference). Numerous studies have investigated strategies and approaches to manage skills development programs within organisations (reference).

(this paragraph explains what’s already well-established in the literature)

However, these studies have traditionally focused on relatively slow-paced industries where key skills and knowledge do not change particularly often. This body of theory presents a problem for industries that face a rapidly changing skills landscape – for example, the website development industry – where new platforms, languages and best practices emerge on an extremely frequent basis.

(this paragraph explains what’s missing from the literature)

As a result, the existing research is inadequate for industries in which essential knowledge and skills are constantly and rapidly evolving, as it assumes a slow pace of knowledge development. Industries in such environments, therefore, find themselves ill-equipped in terms of skills development strategies and approaches.

(this paragraph explains why the research gap is problematic)

As you can see in this example, in a few lines, we’ve explained (1) the current state of research, (2) the literature gap and (3) why that gap is problematic. By doing this, the research problem is made crystal clear, which lays the foundation for the next ingredient.

#4 – The research aims, objectives and questions

Now that you’ve clearly identified your research problem, it’s time to identify your research aims and objectives , as well as your research questions . In other words, it’s time to explain what you’re going to do about the research problem.

So, what do you need to do here?

Well, the starting point is to clearly state your research aim (or aims) . The research aim is the main goal or the overarching purpose of your dissertation or thesis. In other words, it’s a high-level statement of what you’re aiming to achieve.

Let’s look at an example, sticking with the skills development topic:

“Given the lack of research regarding organisational skills development in fast-moving industries, this study will aim to identify and evaluate the skills development approaches utilised by web development companies in the UK”.

As you can see in this example, the research aim is clearly outlined, as well as the specific context in which the research will be undertaken (in other words, web development companies in the UK).

Next up is the research objective (or objectives) . While the research aims cover the high-level “what”, the research objectives are a bit more practically oriented, looking at specific things you’ll be doing to achieve those research aims.

Let’s take a look at an example of some research objectives (ROs) to fit the research aim.

• RO1 – To identify common skills development strategies and approaches utilised by web development companies in the UK.
• RO2 – To evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies and approaches.
• RO3 – To compare and contrast these strategies and approaches in terms of their strengths and weaknesses.

As you can see from this example, these objectives describe the actions you’ll take and the specific things you’ll investigate in order to achieve your research aims. They break down the research aims into more specific, actionable objectives.

The final step is to state your research questions . Your research questions bring the aims and objectives another level “down to earth”. These are the specific questions that your dissertation or theses will seek to answer. They’re not fluffy, ambiguous or conceptual – they’re very specific and you’ll need to directly answer them in your conclusions chapter .

The research questions typically relate directly to the research objectives and sometimes can look a bit obvious, but they are still extremely important. Let’s take a look at an example of the research questions (RQs) that would flow from the research objectives I mentioned earlier.

• RQ1 – What skills development strategies and approaches are currently being used by web development companies in the UK?
• RQ2 – How effective are each of these strategies and approaches?
• RQ3 – What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these strategies and approaches?

As you can see, the research questions mimic the research objectives , but they are presented in question format. These questions will act as the driving force throughout your dissertation or thesis – from the literature review to the methodology and onward – so they’re really important.

A final note about this section – it’s really important to be clear about the scope of your study (more technically, the delimitations ). In other words, what you WILL cover and what you WON’T cover. If your research aims, objectives and questions are too broad, you’ll risk losing focus or investigating a problem that is too big to solve within a single dissertation.

Simply put, you need to establish clear boundaries in your research. You can do this, for example, by limiting it to a specific industry, country or time period. That way, you’ll ringfence your research, which will allow you to investigate your topic deeply and thoroughly – which is what earns marks!

Need a helping hand?

#5 – Significance

Now that you’ve made it clear what you’ll be researching, it’s time to make a strong argument regarding your study’s importance and significance . In other words, now that you’ve covered the what, it’s time to cover the why – enter essential ingredient number 5 – significance.

Of course, by this stage, you’ve already briefly alluded to the importance of your study in your background and research problem sections, but you haven’t explicitly stated how your research findings will benefit the world . So, now’s your chance to clearly state how your study will benefit either industry , academia , or – ideally – both . In other words, you need to explain how your research will make a difference and what implications it will have .

Let’s take a look at an example.

“This study will contribute to the body of knowledge on skills development by incorporating skills development strategies and approaches for industries in which knowledge and skills are rapidly and constantly changing. This will help address the current shortage of research in this area and provide real-world value to organisations operating in such dynamic environments.”

As you can see in this example, the paragraph clearly explains how the research will help fill a gap in the literature and also provide practical real-world value to organisations.

This section doesn’t need to be particularly lengthy, but it does need to be convincing . You need to “sell” the value of your research here so that the reader understands why it’s worth committing an entire dissertation or thesis to it. This section needs to be the salesman of your research. So, spend some time thinking about the ways in which your research will make a unique contribution to the world and how the knowledge you create could benefit both academia and industry – and then “sell it” in this section.

#6 – The limitations

Now that you’ve “sold” your research to the reader and hopefully got them excited about what’s coming up in the rest of your dissertation, it’s time to briefly discuss the potential limitations of your research.

But you’re probably thinking, hold up – what limitations? My research is well thought out and carefully designed – why would there be limitations?

Well, no piece of research is perfect . This is especially true for a dissertation or thesis – which typically has a very low or zero budget, tight time constraints and limited researcher experience. Generally, your dissertation will be the first or second formal research project you’ve ever undertaken, so it’s unlikely to win any research awards…

Simply put, your research will invariably have limitations. Don’t stress yourself out though – this is completely acceptable (and expected). Even “professional” research has limitations – as I said, no piece of research is perfect. The key is to recognise the limitations upfront and be completely transparent about them, so that future researchers are aware of them and can improve the study’s design to minimise the limitations and strengthen the findings.

Generally, you’ll want to consider at least the following four common limitations. These are:

• Your scope – for example, perhaps your focus is very narrow and doesn’t consider how certain variables interact with each other.
• Your research methodology – for example, a qualitative methodology could be criticised for being overly subjective, or a quantitative methodology could be criticised for oversimplifying the situation (learn more about methodologies here ).
• Your resources – for example, a lack of time, money, equipment and your own research experience.
• The generalisability of your findings – for example, the findings from the study of a specific industry or country can’t necessarily be generalised to other industries or countries.

Don’t be shy here. There’s no use trying to hide the limitations or weaknesses of your research. In fact, the more critical you can be of your study, the better. The markers want to see that you are aware of the limitations as this demonstrates your understanding of research design – so be brutal.

#7 – The structural outline

Now that you’ve clearly communicated what your research is going to be about, why it’s important and what the limitations of your research will be, the final ingredient is the structural outline.The purpose of this section is simply to provide your reader with a roadmap of what to expect in terms of the structure of your dissertation or thesis.

In this section, you’ll need to provide a brief summary of each chapter’s purpose and contents (including the introduction chapter). A sentence or two explaining what you’ll do in each chapter is generally enough to orient the reader. You don’t want to get too detailed here – it’s purely an outline, not a summary of your research.

Let’s look at an example:

In Chapter One, the context of the study has been introduced. The research objectives and questions have been identified, and the value of such research argued. The limitations of the study have also been discussed.

In Chapter Two, the existing literature will be reviewed and a foundation of theory will be laid out to identify key skills development approaches and strategies within the context of fast-moving industries, especially technology-intensive industries.

In Chapter Three, the methodological choices will be explored. Specifically, the adoption of a qualitative, inductive research approach will be justified, and the broader research design will be discussed, including the limitations thereof.

So, as you can see from the example, this section is simply an outline of the chapter structure, allocating a short paragraph to each chapter. Done correctly, the outline will help your reader understand what to expect and reassure them that you’ll address the multiple facets of the study.

By the way – if you’re unsure of how to structure your dissertation or thesis, be sure to check out our video post which explains dissertation structure .

Keep calm and carry on.

Hopefully you feel a bit more prepared for this challenge of crafting your dissertation or thesis introduction chapter now. Take a deep breath and remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day – conquer one ingredient at a time and you’ll be firmly on the path to success.

Let’s quickly recap – the 7 ingredients are:

• The opening section – where you give a brief, high-level overview of what your research will be about.
• The study background – where you introduce the reader to key theory, concepts and terminology, as well as the context of your study.
• The research problem – where you explain what the problem with the current research is. In other words, the research gap.
• The research aims , objectives and questions – where you clearly state what your dissertation will investigate.
• The significance – where you explain what value your research will provide to the world.
• The limitations – where you explain what the potential shortcomings and limitations of your research may be.
• The structural outline – where you provide a high-level overview of the structure of your document

If you bake these ingredients into your dissertation introduction chapter, you’ll be well on your way to building an engaging introduction chapter that lays a rock-solid foundation for the rest of your document.

Remember, while we’ve covered the essential ingredients here, there may be some additional components that your university requires, so be sure to double-check your project brief!

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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42 Comments

Thanks very much for such an insight. I feel confident enough in undertaking my thesis on the survey;The future of facial recognition and learning non verbal interaction

Glad to hear that. Good luck with your thesis!

Thanks very much for such an insight. I feel confident now undertaking my thesis; The future of facial recognition and learning non verbal interaction.

Thanks so much for this article. I found myself struggling and wasting a lot of time in my thesis writing but after reading this article and watching some of your youtube videos, I now have a clear understanding of what is required for a thesis.

Thank you Derek, i find your each post so useful. Keep it up.

Thank you so much Derek ,for shedding the light and making it easier for me to handle the daunting task of academic writing .

Thanks do much Dereck for the comprehensive guide. It will assist me queit a lot in my thesis.

thanks a lot for helping

i LOVE the gifs, such a fun way to engage readers. thanks for the advice, much appreciated

Thanks a lot Derek! It will be really useful to the beginner in research!

You’re welcome

This is a well written, easily comprehensible, simple introduction to the basics of a Research Dissertation../the need to keep the reader in mind while writing the dissertation is an important point that is covered../ I appreciate the efforts of the author../

The instruction given are perfect and clear. I was supposed to take the course , unfortunately in Nepal the service is not avaialble.However, I am much more hopeful that you will provide require documents whatever you have produced so far.

Thank you very much

Thanks so much ❤️😘 I feel am ready to start writing my research methodology

This is genuinely the most effective advice I have ever been given regarding academia. Thank you so much!

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I was looking for some good blogs related to Education hopefully your article will help. Thanks for sharing.

This is an awesome masterpiece. It is one of the most comprehensive guides to writing a Dissertation/Thesis I have seen and read.

You just saved me from going astray in writing a Dissertation for my undergraduate studies. I could not be more grateful for such a relevant guide like this. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much Derek, this has been extremely helpful!!

I do have one question though, in the limitations part do you refer to the scope as the focus of the research on a specific industry/country/chronological period? I assume that in order to talk about whether or not the research could be generalized, the above would need to be already presented and described in the introduction.

Thank you again!

Phew! You have genuinely rescued me. I was stuck how to go about my thesis. Now l have started. Thank you.

This is the very best guide in anything that has to do with thesis or dissertation writing. The numerous blends of examples and detailed insights make it worth a read and in fact, a treasure that is worthy to be bookmarked.

Thanks a lot for this masterpiece!

Powerful insight. I can now take a step

Thank you very much for these valuable introductions to thesis chapters. I saw all your videos about writing the introduction, discussion, and conclusion chapter. Then, I am wondering if we need to explain our research limitations in all three chapters, introduction, discussion, and conclusion? Isn’t it a bit redundant? If not, could you please explain how can we write in different ways? Thank you.

Excellent!!! Thank you…

Thanks for this informative content. I have a question. The research gap is mentioned in both the introduction and literature section. I would like to know how can I demonstrate the research gap in both sections without repeating the contents?

I’m incredibly grateful for this invaluable content. I’ve been dreading compiling my postgrad thesis but breaking each chapter down into sections has made it so much easier for me to engage with the material without feeling overwhelmed. After relying on your guidance, I’m really happy with how I’ve laid out my introduction.

Thank you for the informative content you provided

Hi Derrick and Team, thank you so much for the comprehensive guide on how to write a dissertation or a thesis introduction section. For some of us first-timers, it is a daunting task. However, the instruction with relevant examples makes it clear and easy to follow through. Much appreciated.

It was so helpful. God Bless you. Thanks very much

I thank you Grad coach for your priceless help. I have two questions I have learned from your video the limitations of the research presented in chapter one. but in another video also presented in chapter five. which chapter limitation should be included? If possible, I need your answer since I am doing my thesis. how can I explain If I am asked what is my motivation for this research?

Thank you guys for the great work you are doing. Honestly, you have made the research to be interesting and simplified. Even a novice will easily grasp the ideas you put forward, Thank you once again.

Excellent piece!

I feel like just settling for a good topic is usually the hardest part.

Thank you so much. My confidence has been completely destroyed during my first year of PhD and you have helped me pull myself together again

Happy to help 🙂

I am so glad I ran into your resources and did not waste time doing the wrong this. Research is now making so much sense now.

Gratitude to Derrick and the team I was looking for a solid article that would aid me in drafting the thesis’ introduction. I felt quite happy when I came across the piece you wrote because it was so well-written and insightful. I wish you success in the future.

thank you so much. God Bless you

Thank you so much Grad Coach for these helpful insights. Now I can get started, with a great deal of confidence.

It’s ‘alluded to’ not ‘eluded to’.

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How to write a fantastic thesis introduction (+15 examples)

The thesis introduction, usually chapter 1, is one of the most important chapters of a thesis. It sets the scene. It previews key arguments and findings. And it helps the reader to understand the structure of the thesis. In short, a lot is riding on this first chapter. With the following tips, you can write a powerful thesis introduction.

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Elements of a fantastic thesis introduction

Open with a (personal) story, begin with a problem, define a clear research gap, describe the scientific relevance of the thesis, describe the societal relevance of the thesis, write down the thesis’ core claim in 1-2 sentences, support your argument with sufficient evidence, consider possible objections, address the empirical research context, give a taste of the thesis’ empirical analysis, hint at the practical implications of the research, provide a reading guide, briefly summarise all chapters to come, design a figure illustrating the thesis structure.

An introductory chapter plays an integral part in every thesis. The first chapter has to include quite a lot of information to contextualise the research. At the same time, a good thesis introduction is not too long, but clear and to the point.

A powerful thesis introduction does the following:

• It captures the reader’s attention.
• It presents a clear research gap and emphasises the thesis’ relevance.
• It provides a compelling argument.
• It previews the research findings.
• It explains the structure of the thesis.

In addition, a powerful thesis introduction is well-written, logically structured, and free of grammar and spelling errors. Reputable thesis editors can elevate the quality of your introduction to the next level. If you are in search of a trustworthy thesis or dissertation editor who upholds high-quality standards and offers efficient turnaround times, I recommend the professional thesis and dissertation editing service provided by Editage . 

This list can feel quite overwhelming. However, with some easy tips and tricks, you can accomplish all these goals in your thesis introduction. (And if you struggle with finding the right wording, have a look at academic key phrases for introductions .)

Ways to capture the reader’s attention

A powerful thesis introduction should spark the reader’s interest on the first pages. A reader should be enticed to continue reading! There are three common ways to capture the reader’s attention.

An established way to capture the reader’s attention in a thesis introduction is by starting with a story. Regardless of how abstract and ‘scientific’ the actual thesis content is, it can be useful to ease the reader into the topic with a short story.

This story can be, for instance, based on one of your study participants. It can also be a very personal account of one of your own experiences, which drew you to study the thesis topic in the first place.

Start by providing data or statistics

Data and statistics are another established way to immediately draw in your reader. Especially surprising or shocking numbers can highlight the importance of a thesis topic in the first few sentences!

So if your thesis topic lends itself to being kick-started with data or statistics, you are in for a quick and easy way to write a memorable thesis introduction.

The third established way to capture the reader’s attention is by starting with the problem that underlies your thesis. It is advisable to keep the problem simple. A few sentences at the start of the chapter should suffice.

Usually, at a later stage in the introductory chapter, it is common to go more in-depth, describing the research problem (and its scientific and societal relevance) in more detail.

You may also like: Minimalist writing for a better thesis

Emphasising the thesis’ relevance

A good thesis is a relevant thesis. No one wants to read about a concept that has already been explored hundreds of times, or that no one cares about.

Of course, a thesis heavily relies on the work of other scholars. However, each thesis is – and should be – unique. If you want to write a fantastic thesis introduction, your job is to point out this uniqueness!

In academic research, a research gap signifies a research area or research question that has not been explored yet, that has been insufficiently explored, or whose insights and findings are outdated.

Every thesis needs a crystal-clear research gap. Spell it out instead of letting your reader figure out why your thesis is relevant.

* This example has been taken from an actual academic paper on toxic behaviour in online games: Liu, J. and Agur, C. (2022). “After All, They Don’t Know Me” Exploring the Psychological Mechanisms of Toxic Behavior in Online Games. Games and Culture 1–24, DOI: 10.1177/15554120221115397

The scientific relevance of a thesis highlights the importance of your work in terms of advancing theoretical insights on a topic. You can think of this part as your contribution to the (international) academic literature.

Scientific relevance comes in different forms. For instance, you can critically assess a prominent theory explaining a specific phenomenon. Maybe something is missing? Or you can develop a novel framework that combines different frameworks used by other scholars. Or you can draw attention to the context-specific nature of a phenomenon that is discussed in the international literature.

The societal relevance of a thesis highlights the importance of your research in more practical terms. You can think of this part as your contribution beyond theoretical insights and academic publications.

Why are your insights useful? Who can benefit from your insights? How can your insights improve existing practices?

Formulating a compelling argument

Arguments are sets of reasons supporting an idea, which – in academia – often integrate theoretical and empirical insights. Think of an argument as an umbrella statement, or core claim. It should be no longer than one or two sentences.

Including an argument in the introduction of your thesis may seem counterintuitive. After all, the reader will be introduced to your core claim before reading all the chapters of your thesis that led you to this claim in the first place.

But rest assured: A clear argument at the start of your thesis introduction is a sign of a good thesis. It works like a movie teaser to generate interest. And it helps the reader to follow your subsequent line of argumentation.

The core claim of your thesis should be accompanied by sufficient evidence. This does not mean that you have to write 10 pages about your results at this point.

However, you do need to show the reader that your claim is credible and legitimate because of the work you have done.

A good argument already anticipates possible objections. Not everyone will agree with your core claim. Therefore, it is smart to think ahead. What criticism can you expect?

Think about reasons or opposing positions that people can come up with to disagree with your claim. Then, try to address them head-on.

Providing a captivating preview of findings

Similar to presenting a compelling argument, a fantastic thesis introduction also previews some of the findings. When reading an introduction, the reader wants to learn a bit more about the research context. Furthermore, a reader should get a taste of the type of analysis that will be conducted. And lastly, a hint at the practical implications of the findings encourages the reader to read until the end.

If you focus on a specific empirical context, make sure to provide some information about it. The empirical context could be, for instance, a country, an island, a school or city. Make sure the reader understands why you chose this context for your research, and why it fits to your research objective.

If you did all your research in a lab, this section is obviously irrelevant. However, in that case you should explain the setup of your experiment, etcetera.

The empirical part of your thesis centers around the collection and analysis of information. What information, and what evidence, did you generate? And what are some of the key findings?

For instance, you can provide a short summary of the different research methods that you used to collect data. Followed by a short overview of how you analysed this data, and some of the key findings. The reader needs to understand why your empirical analysis is worth reading.

You already highlighted the practical relevance of your thesis in the introductory chapter. However, you should also provide a preview of some of the practical implications that you will develop in your thesis based on your findings.

Presenting a crystal clear thesis structure

A fantastic thesis introduction helps the reader to understand the structure and logic of your whole thesis. This is probably the easiest part to write in a thesis introduction. However, this part can be best written at the very end, once everything else is ready.

A reading guide is an essential part in a thesis introduction! Usually, the reading guide can be found toward the end of the introductory chapter.

The reading guide basically tells the reader what to expect in the chapters to come.

In a longer thesis, such as a PhD thesis, it can be smart to provide a summary of each chapter to come. Think of a paragraph for each chapter, almost in the form of an abstract.

For shorter theses, which also have a shorter introduction, this step is not necessary.

Especially for longer theses, it tends to be a good idea to design a simple figure that illustrates the structure of your thesis. It helps the reader to better grasp the logic of your thesis.

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)   

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading. 

Table of Contents

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

• Argumentative Essay Introduction Example: 
• Expository Essay Introduction Example 

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail. 

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction: 

• Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote. 
• Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic. 
• Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay. 

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2  

• Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.  
• Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.  
• Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction: 

• Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading. 
• Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic. 
• State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay. 
• Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis. 
• Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic. 
• Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument. 

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education: 

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation. 

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education). 

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.  

• Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?” 
• Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher. 
• Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.” 

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps: 

• Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.” 
• Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument. 
• Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.” 
• Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns. 
• Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.” 

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement: 

• Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.” 
• State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.” 
• Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention. 
• Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.” 

Examples of essay introduction 

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays: 

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:  

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16? 

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.” 

Expository Essay Introduction Example  

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise 

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.” 

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee 

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.” 

• Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic. 
• Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement. 
• Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined. 
• Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay. 
• Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay. 

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3  

• Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. 
• Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion. 
• Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific. 
• Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay. 
• Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis. 
• Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors. 
• Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further. 

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.  

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.  

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how.   For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.” 

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.  

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness. 

References  

• Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills . 
• West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617. 
• Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242. 

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