How to write an abstract - Wits University · PDF file([email protected]) Research Office 2015 How to write an abstract . 2 But where to start? 3 . ... Offer between 5 and 10

Robin Drennan

([email protected])

Research Office

2015

How to write an abstract

2

But where to start?

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Agenda 1. What is an abstract? What is the NRF?

2. What does it consist of?

3. Which comes first?

4. Avoid at all costs

5. In addition to the abstract

6. A practical approach

7. Conclusion

4

There are a total of 28 slides – good news is that we are already 11% through the presentation

1. What is an abstract?

5 The Thinker, by Auguste Rodin, ca 1880

The most important facts about ...

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An abstract is:

A short document

Intended to capture the interest of a potential

reader of the related paper

In essence an abstract is ...

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A marketing document for your full paper

So if it is poorly written or if it is boring

Then

It will not encourage a potential reader to spend the

time reading your work

2. What does it consist of?

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It must ...

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Make a clear statement of the topic of your paper

Indicate you research question

State how your research was/is being undertaken. For

example:

Is it empirical or theoretical?

Is it quantitative or qualitative?

Briefly describe the work to be discussed in your paper,

give a concise summary of the findings and to whom will

they be of use?

Writing the abstract

An abstract is essentially a “TRAILER” used to attract attention

Its must TANTALISE, ENTISE and EXCITE the funder

It is a SALES document

A good abstract is

Interesting

Clear

Persuasive

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The writing process

The aim of writing is to express yourself in a simple,

accurate and interesting manner. The content, format,

sentence structure, vocabulary, language, punctuation

and spelling all create a lasting impression on the

reader.

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Persuasive writing

Use short sentences, avoid jargon, think wide, focus

on impact.

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Think of some examples of people who commonly use persuasive

writing or talking. E.g., children, advertisers, sports people,

debaters, politicians.

Examples of persuasive writing

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Do not forget your disciplinary roots. Base your arguments in the

literature – stepping on the shoulders of the great. Keep it real!

BUT

Do all of this in ...

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Not more than 500 words

But not less than 300 words

300 words

A4 page using 12 point Arial font

500 words

3. Which comes first?

The abstract or the paper?

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The paper of course!

But this is often not practical. So...

Guess possible outcomes Predict possible outcomes

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Use language like:

Potential

Maybe

Could possibly

Use language like:

If all goes according to plan

then these will be the

outcomes

3. Avoid at all costs

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Abstracts are often:

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Too short. Some abstracts are less than 50 words

Too long

Do not explain what the proposed paper is about

Spend too long defining the general topic of the paper as

opposed to the particular issues the paper intends to address

Boring

4. In addition to the abstract

Other goodies

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Key words

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Used for search purposes

Offer between 5 and 10 key words

They should most closely reflect the content of the

paper

Biographic details

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A short ‘bio’ may need to accompany your abstract

This is not your CV

Usually needs to be about 50 to 150 words long

Include a passport photo – choose wisely

5. A practical approach

Works for me

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Assuming you have completed the paper

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Copy paper using Word into a new file

Read through the paper deleting all the detail

Left with the skeleton (1st sentence in each paragraph)

Edit this framework – make it interesting

Leave for a day, then re-read

Give it to your mother, does she understand what paper is about?

Does it excite you?

6. Conclusion

A brief recap and check against expectations

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Recap

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Abstract is not a summary, but a marketing tool

Make it stand out

Use short sentences

Focus on impact

Think wide

Better to write paper first, if not possible predict results

Never bore your audience

Test your writings with a non-specialist colleague

26 Thank you, Siyabonga