AER Introduction

Overview

The introduction is the only part of the paper most editors read in full. Top-5 desk rejection decisions are typically made on pages 1-3. This skill produces an introduction that survives that filter and an abstract that fits AER's 100-word constraint.

Two non-negotiable AER formatting facts:

1. No "Introduction" heading. The introductory section is unlabeled and begins immediately after the title and abstract.
2. Abstract ≤ 100 words. Roughly 4-5 sentences. The AER Style Guide states the abstract "must not exceed 100 words"; an over-length abstract is flagged in editorial screening and returned for correction.

When to Use

• Drafting an introduction from scratch
• Rewriting an introduction that drew a desk rejection
• Compressing a 250-word working-paper abstract to AER's 100-word limit
• The introduction is over 3 typeset pages and needs surgery
• The user has results but cannot explain why they matter in one paragraph