The phrase "an introduction to the discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to present the initial context or overview of a topic that will be discussed further.
Example: "In this paper, we will provide an introduction to the discussion surrounding climate change and its impacts on global ecosystems."
Alternatives: "a preface to the conversation" or "an overview of the topic".
Breivik: One of the most widespread manifestations of the craziness of our world is multiculturalism, so a discussion of the psychology of multiculturalists can serve as an introduction to the discussion of the problems of Western Europe in general.
Kaczynski: One of the most widespread manifestations of the craziness of our world is leftism, so a discussion of the psychology of leftism can serve as an introduction to the discussion of the problems of modern society in general.
The written case presentation was used as an introduction to the discussion about the criteria for granting DP in the interviews.
As an introduction to the discussions the participants were also encouraged to agree among themselves that the views shared would remain confidential.
This serves as an introduction to the detailed discussion on the preferred refining options for the various cuts.
In order to achieve these aims, we will first discuss the nature of indeterminacy in process type analysis in section 2. This discussion includes an introduction to the nature of the problem followed by consideration of what Halliday means by indeterminacy and how it relates to transitivity.
Interactive listening involved an introduction to the topic, short listening passages, and student discussion and feedback.
The summary of the first meeting (group of patients) was used as an introduction to discussion for the second group; the third group benefited from the summary of the two previous ones and so forth.
This volume begins with an introduction to gender quotas, including discussion of the types and merits of gender quotas, alternative approaches to the study of quotas, and their interactions with different kinds of electoral systems.
It is part an introduction to papyrological scholarship, part a discussion on the role of the witness in biblical history and part a meditation on the nature of truth and authenticity.
