How should I go about researching my coursework essay and how do I write an introduction?

The most important rule to remember is to never start writing before you have properly thought out your argument and have come up with a comprehensive structure. The best starting point is to find a basic resource such as a textbook or even wikipedia just to familiarise yourself with the topic if you have not studied it before. Do not start by attempting to find academic books as there are so many and therefore you need a good streamlining process to avoid wasting time. Textbooks, the history learning site and wikipedia (the last of which should, however, be treated with caution when it comes to finding facts) often identify key academic primary and secondary resources. In order to be in the most informed position when it comes to selecting your sources, start thinking of a basic argument and the direction you think you want your essay to go in. At this point, choose a few sources mentioned in the resources suggested above. From the sources you pick, you will often be referred to other, and possibly more suitable, sources. Once you have compiled a good selection of academic resources, start to build and pad out your argument (note: this does not mean your essay! on a blank piece of paper scribble down your thoughts and opinions in regards to the question before you even think about starting to write the actual essay). Only once you have thought of your argument, begin writing. Examiners have to read multiple essays, so it is imperative that the introduction is short, snappy and interesting! The introduction should sum up in a nutshell what your essay is about and what your own opinion is in a few short lines. This is why it is so crucial to plan - the introduction must not be waffly or repetitive! You must also remember that there is no point having a introduction that merely rewords the question. Make every line count - force the examiner to stay awake and make him or her root for you from the very beginning!Here is an example introduction to one of my own essays entitled: To what extent should fascist movements be seen above all as counter-revolutionary movements triggered by a fear of the radical Left?'Fascism is a movement that seeks to achieve maximum national unity by politicising all aspects of life. It is revolutionary in itself; its aim is to deconstruct society in order to create a new nation characterised by authoritarianism and obedience. Whilst all fascist movements exhibited anti-communist tendencies, it is unlikely that movements so grounded in collectivist ideas arose primarily as a means to combat another ideology that sought to install them. Fascist dislike for communism was merely a product of its fear of something else: a loss of identity, whether that be national or racial. While socialism posed a threat to this, so did liberalism and modernity. Fascism has been dubbed an ‘ideology of negations’: anti-communist, anti-liberal and anti-modernism. But at the heart of all of these is a desperation to confer a sense of belonging, through a totalitarian framework, against a backdrop of increasing individualism and a fear of anomie.'Every sentence is carefully constructed to bring something new and relevant to the essay. It proves to the examiner immediately that this essay has been well researched and that you have really thought about your answer. In any essay subject, it is crucial to have an opinion. Be assertive! Acknowledge the other side of the argument, but do not wait until the conclusion to state what you think. Prove to the examiner why your opinion is supreme to all others throughout your essay, especially in your introduction.