Introduction to vertex operator algebras I

This is the first part of the revised versions of the notes of three consecutive expository lectures given by Chongying Dong, Haisheng Li and Yi-Zhi Huang in the conference on Monster and vertex operator algebras at the Research Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Kyoto, September 4-9, 1994. In this part we review the definitions of vertex operator algebras and twisted modules, and discuss examples.