Provide your credentials if they’re important to the topic. For example, when writing a book about bipolar disorder, it would be helpful to explain your professional and educational background as a psychiatrist. To keep this section informal, you might decide to do this in the form of an anecdote. For instance, “As I earned my degrees in psychology, I began to recognize the importance of pharmaceuticals for managing mental illness, so I pursued a medical degree. In my ten years of practice, I’ve treated over a hundred patients with bipolar disorder, most of whom are able to manage their condition with medication and counseling. ” For a memoir you might write, “Becoming a foster parent changed my life and the lives of the children who came to live with me. I thought I would be helping them, but through caring for them I gained a lot, as well. "
You could write, “After watching so many of my patients make a complete turnaround, I realized that my treatment strategies could be used to help others. I decided to write this book to help other mental health professionals treat their patients using my methods. ” For a nonfiction historical text, you could write, “Ancient Egypt has interested me since I first watched The Mummy as a small child. After years of research, I finally have knowledge of my own to contribute. " If you’re writing a memoir you might write, “After sharing my experiences with others through outreach efforts, I realized I could help others with my life story. "
For instance, “My treatment methods focus on an integrated, holistic approach that differs from many treatment protocols,” or “Through my research, I’ve gained a new perspective on the pyramids of Giza that I will share through this book. " If you’re writing a memoir, you could say, “As an avid reader, I recognized that there weren’t many stories out there like mine. "
For example, “I wrote this book for mental health professionals, but individuals who’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder may also find it helpful,” or “This book is for all of the history buffs like myself. " If you’re writing a memoir, you might say, “This book is for everyone who’s struggling to find their place in the world. "
For example, “This book will explain my treatment methods and best practices. I also provide example exercises, as well as ten detailed case studies. ” As another example, “While I was in Egypt, I collected stories as well as facts. I will share all of them with you, as well as the photos I took along the way. " Your memoir preface might read, “In my book, I discuss both my experiences and how they changed me. You’ll find stories and mementos that I hope will touch your heart. "
For example, “Before writing this book, I published eight peer-reviewed papers about my work with patients,” or “Among my photos is a mummy who had never been photographed. " Your memoir might include, “During my years as a foster parent, I took in 152 children. Of those I cared for, I’m still in contact with 54. Each of them hold a piece of my heart. " As an example, you could read over the preface to Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. Although his novel is a work of fiction, Wilde includes a preface to provide the reader with a series of contradictory statements that inspired his work.
You might write, “I want to give a special thanks for Sarah Lopez, who served as my research assistant throughout this project,” or “I’d like to give a special thanks to my host family in Egypt who has been my rock throughout three research visits. " For a memoir, you might write, “Thank you to my family for supporting me throughout the years, and thank you to each child who has let me be their foster mother. " You should only include your acknowledgements if you have a few people to honor. If you have several, it’s best to create a separate acknowledgements section.
Varied sentence structure Good readability Run-on sentences Sentence fragments Grammar and spelling errors Problems with word choice
If you’re working with a committee, ask one of the members to read over your preface.
You may want to revise your preface several times.
You may also want to get someone else to proofread your preface, as they’ll be able to better spot typos and mistakes. It’s often harder to detect your own errors.
If you write your preface before you write the text, you’ll likely need to rework it once your book or paper is finished.
If you’re working with a publisher, ask them for the correct formatting. For a journal article or research paper, check the submission guidelines or contact the editor. If you’re writing an academic thesis or dissertation, check with your school or committee to get the specific format they prefer. You may also be able to access a template. [13] X Research source
For example, “I intended my research to help you, the reader, approach the field of robotics from a new angle. ”
For example, you might want to include background on your topic that inspired you to conduct this research project. This is okay as long as you also include the information in the proper section of your text.
For example, you might be writing a book that’s based on decades of research or that sprang out of an interesting incident. If this is the case, you might decide to write a longer preface to share this with the reader. This is a judgment call you’ll have to make for yourself.
