Format of Email

[swagatopablo]

As a masters student, I want to apply to for PhD openings in the US, UK and Canada. When I write an email for the first time to one of my prospective guides, is it necessary/appropriate to enclose my full dissertation/report with the first email? I am confused because at one hand, it will give him/her a ready reference to glance through the research work I have done so far if he/she is interested at all. On the other hand, some of the professors might have privacy concerns receiving an attachment from a hitherto unknown sender and the attachment may signal desperation of kinda show off. What do you guys say?