introductory material

USAGE SUMMARY

"introductory material" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to any material that introduces a subject or introduces other material that follows, such as an introduction to a book or an introductory paragraph in an article. For example: The introductory material in this book provides an overview of the key themes and arguments.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The first 34 pages contain hero-worshipping introductory material.

The Guardian - Books

Leaders often spend too much time reciting introductory material, and participants eventually stop paying attention.

The New York Times

But even Stanford students might profit from absorbing introductory material online, he speculates, freeing up classroom time for discussion.

The Economist

Though recorded in New York, the upload comes from Russian TV: there's there's some introductory material; the opera starts at 13 30.

The Guardian - Music

To begin, visitors walk through two rooms of introductory material that focus on what has kept Jews together for so long.

The New York Times - Arts

There is not a word of introductory material, nothing about sensations political, dramatic, lyrical — or lack of them — that these speeches engendered.

The New York Times

Where colleges have agreed to take part, the workshops will be marked as compulsory on freshers' introductory material, although no one can be forced to attend, and will carry the same weight as fire, health and safety briefings.

The Guardian

By the time the Glass House has its official opening, the flat screen monitors planned for the new visitors center will provide introductory material on Johnson, his work, and his life partner, David Whitney, an art collector and dealer.

The New York Times

"Inside the Volcano," which appears without any editorial or introductory material, plunges into a chronicle of their stormy life together, made up from romantic memories, extracts from letters and journals, snatches of dialogue and bursts of emotion.

The New York Times - Books

Part of the reason was simple convenience: The Champlain Housing Trust, a nonprofit group, offered to teach one of the courses and train other instructors, who now handle the introductory material.

The New York Times

Raising nearly £30,000 – over four times the original target – and using the day job's skills and reach, Gipps brought us an Uncle omnibus containing all six books, every scrap of original illustration and new introductory material by such high-profile fans as Garth Nix and Neil Gaiman.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "introductory material" to establish the scope and objectives of the subsequent information.

Common error

Avoid including too much detail in the "introductory material". Keep it concise and focused on the essential background information. Readers can become overwhelmed if the introduction is excessively long or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "introductory material" functions primarily as a noun phrase, referring to content designed to introduce a topic or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is acceptable and well-established. Examples show it preceding core content to provide context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "introductory material" is a well-established and grammatically correct noun phrase widely used across diverse fields to describe content that introduces a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, and its frequency indicates common usage. Effective use involves clarity, conciseness, and relevance to the intended audience. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it is most prevalent in science, news and media, and formal business. Related terms include "preliminary information" and "background information", each offering nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary information

Replaces "material" with a more general term, while retaining the sense of being preparatory.

background information

Focuses on providing context and foundational knowledge.

initial briefing

Implies a concise overview provided at the start of a process or activity.

foundational content

Highlights the essential and supporting nature of the information.

preparatory reading

Suggests material intended to prepare someone for a more in-depth study.

opening remarks

Refers to the spoken introduction, as opposed to written material.

primer

A basic, introductory textbook or guide.

basic concepts

Focuses on fundamental ideas rather than comprehensive material.

overview

A general summary or survey of a subject.

intro

Shortened form of introduction, implying brevity and informality.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "introductory material" in a presentation?

Start with a clear and concise summary of the main points, highlighting the relevance of the topic to your audience. Use visuals and real-world examples to capture their attention and provide context.

What is the difference between "background information" and "introductory material"?

"Background information" typically provides context and prior knowledge, while "introductory material" sets the stage for what will be discussed or presented.

What should I include in the "introductory material" of a research paper?

Include a clear statement of the problem, the purpose of your research, relevant background information, and a brief overview of your methodology and findings.

How can I make the "introductory material" more engaging for readers?

Start with a compelling hook, such as a question, anecdote, or surprising statistic. Clearly state the relevance of the topic and provide a roadmap of what readers can expect to learn.