Introduction

Introduction Write-Up

The introduction sets out the aims and details of the investigation to be undertaken, including the theoretical basis, nature of the study site and how/why the theory is expected to apply to the chosen study site.

The following questions provide a structure for the completion of the introductory section of your CA report. The points written in bold and in brackets refer to elements from the marking scheme... you get marks for these things!

1. What is the title? (Identifies geographical topic for the investigation)

2. What does the title mean? (Brief description providing the context for the     

    investigation)

3. What is the theoretical background that underlies this investigation? (Identifies and defines 

    the key geographical concepts and/or processes that underpin the investigation; 

    Wide range of specialist terms used correctly; Text is legible; Ideas expressed 

    clearly, logically and fluently; Accurate spg)

Diagrams	The Burgess Model
Specialist vocab/concepts	Urban morphology; zoning; land-use; Burgess’ Concentric Ring Model; Central Business District; Commercial; Industrial; Residential.

4. What is the location of the study site? (Study area is located in detail)

Maps	Series of maps at different scales showing the location of Ealing B’way (National/Regional/Local).
Specialist    vocab/concepts	Urban morphology; zoning; land-use; Burgess’ Concentric Ring Model; Central Business District; Commercial; Industrial; Residential.

      
       5. Why and how do you expect that the study site will follow the theory outlined in 3 above? 

          (Identifies and defines the key geographical concepts and/or processes that 

          underpin the investigation).

   

Specialist    vocab/concepts

Historical development of Ealing as a discrete settlement leading to land-use zoning.

      6. What key hypotheses are you going to investigate? (Ideas expressed clearly, logically 

          and fluently)

      The final section (6 above) provides a link to the next section of your report... the Methodology. By stating the hypotheses you intend to investigate here, you set yourself up to describe, explain and justify the way in which data will be collected to answer the core questions (hypotheses). 

      Bear in mind that your overall question for the investigation should be given by the title, but in order to answer that... you need a number of hypotheses to guide your enquiry. These hypotheses will pick out aspects of the theory that you think might be identifiable at the study site, which are measurable and which, when considered together, will indicate the answer to the main question (Title).

    Having completed the introduction, it is time to write your second chapter... the Methodology (see "methodology" post).