What is the role of an introduction in a report?

The role of an introduction in a report is indeed to set expectations for the report's organization and flow. An effective introduction provides the reader with an overview of what to expect in the subsequent sections, outlining the purpose of the report, its objectives, and a brief summary of how the information will be presented. This allows readers to understand the structure of the information and navigate the report with greater ease.

In crafting a well-structured introduction, the writer can engage the reader and establish a clear roadmap for the content, helping them to anticipate which topics will be covered and how they will be interlinked throughout the document. By doing so, a strong introduction lays the foundation for effective communication, ensuring that the audience can follow the argument or findings presented in the report attentively.

The other choices do not accurately embody the primary function of the introduction. While presenting conclusions, summarizing sources, or listing authors may occur elsewhere within a report, these elements do not fulfill the role of preparing the reader for the organization and content that follows.