Academic Book Writing Simplified with Jane Joann Jones

Episode #31: Strong Start: What to Include in Your Academic Book’s Introductory Chapter


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If you're writing an academic book in the humanities or social sciences, you might feel like the stakes are high when it comes to nailing your introductory chapter. How do you pique your readers’ interest while laying the foundation for a complex argument? What can you do to make sure you give the reader the appropriate amount of context without inundating them with details?  In this episode of Academic Book Writing Simplified, Jane breaks down the four essential elements your introductory chapter needs to make a strong, confident start. She’ll discuss: 

  1. The central research question or problem

  2. Your core argument or intervention

  3. The broader stakes of your project

  4. A clear, inviting roadmap for the rest of the book

Whether you're rewriting your introductory chapter for the umpteenth time or  starting from scratch, this episode offers practical guidance to help you clarify your voice and connect with your readers from the first page.

📝 Ready to turn your dissertation into a publication-worthy scholarly book? Learn how you can join Book Brilliance by visiting rightprose.co/book-brilliance/

💗 Spread the inspiration. Know someone who would benefit from some guidance on their book-writing journey? Share this episode with them!

✉️Want even MORE bookish advice, right in your inbox? Sign up for Shelf Help, the newsletter with actionable tips for scholarly writers. 

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Academic Book Writing Simplified with Jane Joann JonesBy Jane Joann Jones

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