Can you put a subheading "preface" in a chapter entitled introduction?

Susannahmia

In my dissertation the first chapter is the introduction. there a few parts in it which I need to split into sub headings. The first bit is a broad introduction on the topic and concepts, the second is a bit on what I wanted to find out through the dissertation and the aims etc.

I was thinking of calling the first section of chapter one, preface. Does that make sense or is it stupid or out of context? What should I call it? Overview maybe or would that make sense? It is basically an introduction but I cant call it that again.

Chapter two is the background btw.

Apologies for the stupid question but I needs help!

markk06

Yes

dh2007

Susannahmia, is the introduction a chapter in itself? i.e. Chapter One? then each sub-heading should be 1.1, 1.2 etc. does this help?

if you want a preface write an abstract.

Good luck with the dissertation

Tom Dunne

Doesn't sound right, tbh.

A preface is that - before the main body of work. An abstract is a very brief summary/introduction. You would not typically have a preface to a chapter.