How To Write An Abstract

Are you working on writing a research paper, case study, or other academic/scientific paper?

If so, you must have noticed the elements that combine to make up a research paper – title page, abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, results section, discussion, and references.

Writing a good and engaging abstract is essential for effective research paper writing. No research paper is complete without it, and no one will read your paper without a good abstract.

You are in the right place if you want to learn how to write abstracts. This article will discuss the different types of abstracts and everything that should be included in an abstract.

What is an Abstract?

An abstract is a short and powerful summary describing a research paper's focus. It is written material - not an excerpt from a larger work - and usually contains keywords found throughout the paper.

The abstract generally consists of four main elements:

Objective: Clearly define the purpose and importance of your research. This includes a description of the issue or problem.

Methodology: State the research methods you will use to answer your question.

Results: Summarize the main research results.

Conclusion: What are the implications of your research?

Abstracts are useful because they allow people considering reading an article to quickly decide whether it is what they are looking for or piques their interest. Online databases may also use abstracts for indexing purposes.

Types of abstract

Then, there are four types of abstracts, namely descriptive, critical, informational and highlight sections.

Descriptive abstract

First, the descriptive abstract is approximately 150 words. They explain the summarised research, stating the aims, methods, and scope without providing any judgment regarding the findings. In this case, the lack of an opinion about the research is the unique quality of the descriptive abstract.

Informative abstracts

Again, informational abstracts are similar to descriptive abstracts. However, they state the primary arguments and evidence, results, conclusions and recommendations, with a count limit of 300 words. An informative abstract provides a more detailed description than a descriptive abstract.

Critical Abstract

In addition, the critical abstract contains explanatory commentary. This type completes the research statement by providing judgment on the completeness or credibility of the study. In turn, the critical abstract is usually no more than 300 words due to the critique of the researcher.

Research paper abstract tips

The following tips will help you write an effective abstract.

• Write an abstract using the reverse outlining process. Start by making a list of keywords. Next, write sentences that summarize your central argument, and then revise them to get a clear outline of your gist.
• Read other sample abstracts to get a better idea of style and structure.
• Write clearly and concisely, avoiding unnecessary words and jargon. Each sentence should present one major argument. This will make it easier for the readers to understand the topic.
• Present the original contribution of your research rather than discussing the work of others.

Additional Abstract Rules and Guidelines

Write your abstract after completing your paper

Although the abstract goes at the beginning of your manuscript, it doesn't just introduce your research topic (the job title) but summarizes your entire paper. Therefore, writing the abstract last will ensure that it is complete and consistent with the conclusions and assertions of your paper.

Put your stuff in the right order

Both questions and answers should be organized in a standard and familiar way to make it easier for readers to assimilate the material. Ideally, it should mimic the overall format of your essay and the classic "introduction," "body", and "conclusion" form, even if the parts aren't divided as neatly.

Write abstract from scratch

Since the abstract is a self-contained piece of writing to be viewed separately from the paper's body, you should also write it separately. Never copy and paste direct quotes from the paper, and avoid paraphrasing sentences. Using new vocabulary and phrases will keep your summary interesting and free of redundancy while saving space.

Make sure your summary isn't too detailed

Again, the density of your abstract probably makes it inconsistent with including specific points other than names or places. You can refer to words but don't explain or define them. Try to balance being specific to your study and presenting a broad overview of your work.

Now that you know how to write an abstract, why not practice your skills and try it?

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