Steps to Writing an Abstract

Tags: writing stylelearning style

Writing a good abstract is a very important thing! Abstract highlights the main points of your paper. It describes the content in a short form. It should include all important elements of your research: the purpose of writing, its methods and results.

Moreover, an excellent abstract is a simple and clear explanation of your research and findings. Your abstract should stimulate people to read your paper and find more details.

Furthermore, the audience of your abstract ought to be broad (from experts to non-professionals). Try to find the balance between narrow-profile information and understandability of the content to non-professionals. Reduce the quantity of technical information. Do not think that everyone can know the same things as you know.

Excellent abstract contains answers to the following questions:

• What are you exploring?
• Why is it important?
• What methods do you use?
• What have you found?
• What are the results?

Secondly, take into account that there are different types of the abstract. There is an experimental research abstract (in other words − a scientific abstract), which includes nearly 100 words and usually has the following points:

• The title of your work.
• A short review of the content.
• The purpose of the paper.
• A short summary of the results.
• Conclusions.
• Relevance of your research.

There is an abstract for text-based research projects (in other words − research paper abstract), which includes nearly 250 words and usually has the following points:

• The title of your work.
• A short review of the content.
• The purpose of the paper.
• Main subtopics.
• A short reference to the methodology (if it is required): monitoring, interviewing, library researching.
• Conclusions.
• The consequences of the findings.

Thirdly, an abstract is usually one paragraph long. Do not exceed the limit of the words. Make sure your abstract has all necessary parts and is clear and brief.

So, how to write an abstract?

Make notes:

• Time limit.
• The words quantity (100 words or 250 words – check which length is required).
• Purpose of your paper.
• Public (Professionals and non-professionals; the way of rendering information to the audience).

Create a draft

Follow the tips above and write a good draft. Ask your mates, teachers or colleagues what they think about it. Analyze the questions they have. Ask what they want to see in your paper. Do not forget to check your grammar and vocabulary.

Revise It

Make sure your abstract is written in a proper way. Use the feedback and fill in the gaps. Do not forget about the word limit. Correct all mistakes by using powerful programs (dictionaries and online orthography checkers).

A good-written abstract is the best frame for your paper.