In 15 Seconds
- Introduces the topic of a document's initial part.
- Essential for clear academic and professional writing.
- Acts as a signpost for readers, guiding them.
- Used in reports, essays, and scholarly articles.
Meaning
This phrase is your academic tour guide! It signals to your reader exactly what the initial part of your essay, report, or paper will dive into. Think of it as setting the stage, letting everyone know, 'Hey, buckle up, we're starting with THIS topic here!'
Key Examples
3 of 10Academic essay introduction
`The first section examines` the historical context of the Cold War, setting the stage for subsequent analysis.
The first section looks at the historical background of the Cold War, preparing for later analysis.
Research paper overview
In this report, `the first section examines` the current market trends affecting renewable energy investments.
This report's first part looks at present market trends influencing investments in renewable energy.
Formal business proposal
`The first section examines` our company's current financial standing, providing essential background data.
Our company's current financial situation is reviewed in the first part, offering crucial background information.
Cultural Background
There is a high value placed on 'signposting'—telling the reader what you are going to do before you do it. This is seen as a sign of a well-organized mind. In international business, using clear, formulaic phrases like this helps non-native speakers follow the structure of a report or meeting. Legal documents use very precise language to avoid ambiguity. 'Examines' is preferred over 'looks at' because it implies a thorough, legally-sound review. Objectivity is key. By making the 'section' the subject, the author sounds more like an impartial observer of the facts.
Vary your verbs
If you use 'examines' for the first section, use 'explores' for the second and 'analyzes' for the third to keep your writing fresh.
No 'about'
Never say 'examines about'. It's a common mistake for learners. Just say 'examines the topic'.
In 15 Seconds
- Introduces the topic of a document's initial part.
- Essential for clear academic and professional writing.
- Acts as a signpost for readers, guiding them.
- Used in reports, essays, and scholarly articles.
What It Means
This phrase is like a bold headline for the first big chunk of your written work. When you write The first section examines, you're essentially putting up a signpost. It tells your reader, "Okay, what follows in this initial part of my text is all about *this specific subject*." It clarifies your structure, making your writing easy to follow. No one wants to get lost in an academic labyrinth, right?
How To Use It
It's pretty straightforward, actually. You use The first section examines to introduce the main topic or focus of your opening section. Imagine you're writing a report on eco-friendly packaging. You might say, "The first section examines the current environmental impact of plastic packaging." Simple, direct, and incredibly clear. It’s perfect for academic papers, business reports, or even detailed blog posts where structure matters. You're basically saying, "Here's chapter one, and it's all about X!"
Formality & Register
This phrase is highly formal. You’ll mostly find it in academic papers, research reports, professional documents, and serious analyses. It’s not something you’d drop in a WhatsApp chat or an Instagram caption unless you're trying to be ironically stuffy. If you’re writing an email to your professor, it’s a gold star. If you’re texting your buddy about weekend plans, it’s a big nope. Save it for when you need to sound super structured and professional. Your boss will thank you, your friends will wonder if you've become a robot.
Real-Life Examples
Think scholarly articles or detailed policy briefs. A government report might state, "The first section examines the demographic shifts in rural areas over the last decade." Or a university thesis introduction could read, "The first section examines the theoretical frameworks underpinning modern linguistic analysis." Even a technical manual explaining a new gadget might use it to structure its content, like, "The first section examines the setup procedure and initial calibration steps." It's all about clarity and organization in serious documents.
When To Use It
Use it when you're writing anything formal that has distinct, structured sections. This includes essays, dissertations, academic journals, business proposals, and comprehensive reports. It’s especially useful in the introduction of your paper where you outline its overall structure. When you want to clearly signpost what each part of your argument will cover, this phrase is your best friend. It helps your reader anticipate the content and follow your logical flow. Think of it as a helpful table of contents built right into your text.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid The first section examines in casual conversation, emails to friends, social media posts, or any informal writing. It would sound incredibly stiff and out of place. You wouldn’t say, "The first section examines what we're having for dinner." (Unless you're planning a very formal meal, maybe with a culinary thesis attached?) It's also generally overkill for short documents or sections that don't need a heavy formal introduction. Keep it professional, folks.
Common Mistakes
The first section examines the problem."
The first section examines the data." (Always include 'The')
The first section examines this topic." (Possessive pronouns are less common and often unnecessary here.)
Remember, it's a specific, strong phrase; don't weaken it with unnecessary prepositions or informal possessives. Keep it clean, keep it crisp!
Common Variations
While The first section examines is quite specific, you can vary it slightly or use similar formal alternatives. You might see "The initial section explores..." or "Chapter one investigates...". More broadly, phrases like "This paper analyzes..." or "We will first discuss..." serve a similar purpose in outlining content, though they might not refer to a specific 'section'. Regional differences are minimal here; it's standard academic English globally. It's not like British English has a quirky alternative for examines in this context.
Real Conversations
Okay, so this phrase doesn't really appear in "real conversations" between people unless they're *discussing* how they wrote a paper. It's a written-word special. But here’s a hypothetical:
Professor
The first section examines to introduce your literature review."Student
Or during a peer review:
Reviewer A: "So, The first section examines the historical context, then you move to the methodology, right?"
Reviewer B: "Exactly. I wanted to establish the background before diving into the primary research."
Quick FAQ
Q. Can I use first part instead of first section?
A. Yes, "The first part examines..." is a perfectly acceptable, slightly less formal alternative. It conveys the same meaning of introducing an initial segment of your work.
Q. Is it okay to use explores or investigates instead of examines?
A. Absolutely! "The first section explores..." or "The first section investigates..." are excellent synonyms. They maintain the formal tone and often imply a slightly deeper, more detailed inquiry.
Q. Should I always use The first section examines in my academic papers?
A. Not always, but it’s a reliable and clear choice, especially for longer, more complex documents where clear signposting is crucial. For shorter pieces, a simpler introduction might suffice.
Q. Can I use this phrase to refer to a literal section break in a book?
A. Yes, that’s one of its primary uses! It’s perfect for guiding readers through the structure of books, reports, or any multi-section document.
Q. What if I have an executive summary before my first section?
A. Good question! In that case, The first section examines would refer to the main body *after* the executive summary, which typically stands alone as a preliminary overview.
Q. Is it suitable for a blog post?
A. For a highly structured, analytical blog post, yes. For a casual blog entry about your cat's antics, probably not. Judge by the formality of the platform and content.
Usage Notes
This phrase is a cornerstone of formal academic and professional writing, acting as a clear structural signpost. It firmly belongs in essays, reports, and proposals, guiding the reader through distinct sections. Avoid it in casual settings to prevent sounding overly stiff or pompous.
Vary your verbs
If you use 'examines' for the first section, use 'explores' for the second and 'analyzes' for the third to keep your writing fresh.
No 'about'
Never say 'examines about'. It's a common mistake for learners. Just say 'examines the topic'.
The 'I' debate
In some fields, saying 'I examine' is okay, but 'The first section examines' is always safe and sounds more objective.
Examples
10`The first section examines` the historical context of the Cold War, setting the stage for subsequent analysis.
The first section looks at the historical background of the Cold War, preparing for later analysis.
Clearly introduces the initial subject matter of the essay.
In this report, `the first section examines` the current market trends affecting renewable energy investments.
This report's first part looks at present market trends influencing investments in renewable energy.
Used to outline the structure within a research paper's introduction.
`The first section examines` our company's current financial standing, providing essential background data.
Our company's current financial situation is reviewed in the first part, offering crucial background information.
Sets the agenda for the initial part of a business document.
During our course, `the first section examines` the foundational theories of quantum mechanics.
In this course, the first part covers the basic ideas of quantum mechanics.
Refers to a structured part of a curriculum or module.
`The first section examines` the basic principles of supply and demand in a market economy.
The first part discusses the fundamental concepts of supply and demand in economics.
Commonly found in educational materials to guide readers.
`The first section examines` how AI algorithms are revolutionizing personalized learning experiences.
The initial part looks at how AI algorithms are changing personalized learning.
Used in a formal blog post to introduce a technical topic.
Poster A: "Before we debate the policy, `the first section examines` the relevant legislation."
Poster A: "Before our discussion on the policy, the first part covers the important laws."
Even in an online forum, it can be used to signal structure in a serious discussion.
✗ `The first section examines` about the new policy. → ✓ `The first section examines` the new policy.
✗ The first part looks about the new rule. → ✓ The first part looks at the new rule.
The verb `examines` does not require a preposition like `about` when directly preceding its object.
✗ First section examines cultural impacts. → ✓ `The first section examines` cultural impacts.
✗ First part looks at cultural effects. → ✓ The first part looks at cultural effects.
The definite article `The` is almost always required before `first section` in this construction.
My cat's daily routine is complex. `The first section examines` her morning stretch and contemplation of world domination.
My cat's daily routine is complicated. The first part looks at her morning stretch and thinking about ruling the world.
Using a highly formal phrase for a very trivial, humorous subject.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'examine'.
The first section ________ the causes of the economic downturn.
The subject 'The first section' is singular, so the verb must be 'examines'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal academic essay?
Choose the best option:
'The first section examines' is the standard formal way to introduce a topic without using informal language or incorrect prepositions.
Match the phrase with its formal synonym.
Match the following:
All of these are formal synonyms used in academic writing.
Complete the dialogue with the most professional phrase.
Professor: 'How will you start your presentation?' Student: '________________ the historical context of the problem.'
This is the most professional and appropriate choice for an academic presentation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesThe first section ________ the causes of the economic downturn.
The subject 'The first section' is singular, so the verb must be 'examines'.
Choose the best option:
'The first section examines' is the standard formal way to introduce a topic without using informal language or incorrect prepositions.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
All of these are formal synonyms used in academic writing.
Professor: 'How will you start your presentation?' Student: '________________ the historical context of the problem.'
This is the most professional and appropriate choice for an academic presentation.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but only if the essay has clear, distinct parts. If it's just a few paragraphs, it might be too formal.
Yes, 'The first section will examine' is very common in research proposals or introductions.
'Examines' is a bit broader, while 'analyzes' suggests you are breaking something down into smaller pieces to understand it.
No, that sounds like it's happening right now. Use the simple present 'examines' for facts about the text.
Not at all! It is still the standard in modern academic and professional writing.
Yes, in a formal speech or presentation, it helps the audience follow your points.
Only if it's part of a title (e.g., 'Section 1: Results'). In a sentence, use lowercase.
Then don't use this phrase! You could say 'The first part of this essay' instead.
Yes, it is equally common in both American and British academic English.
Yes, 'investigates' is a great, formal synonym, especially for scientific or criminal topics.
Related Phrases
This paper explores
similarIntroduces the overall goal of the entire document.
The following chapter discusses
builds onUsed to introduce the next part of a book.
In conclusion
contrastUsed to introduce the final summary.
The study scrutinizes
specialized formA very intense version of 'examines'.
