Portugal, Ruffa Mae DV.
12 Humss-A
ABSTRACT – How to write, why write and when to write & Format ;
WHAT IS AN ABSTRACT?
An abstract is very concise statement of the major elements of your research project. Its
state purpose, methods and findings of your research paper
It does not contain vague statements which force the readers to refer to the main text.
A short, self-contained, powerful summary of an article, paper or thesis.
Length: between 150 and 250 words.
Layout: usually one single paragraph; font size is different from the main text;
Position: usually at the beginning of the paper (but it can appear elsewhere, e.g. in book
abstract or on-line)
WHO WRITES IT?
Usually the author of the paper, because they have a first hand knowledge their piece of
research.
Sometimes professionalas writer, who abstract books and articles for a wide audience.
FOR WHAT PURPOSES?
To persuade the reader to see the full text
To help readers decide if the article is relevant for their purposes
To answer a call of paper in a conference
To make it possible for your piece of research to appear in online publication data bases
(indexing)
WHO READS IT?
Same-field professionals ( linguists, psychologist, biologist) looking for further
information
Teachers having to evaluate future specialists’ achievement
Student charting research in a given area
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABSTRACT:
Abstracts are genre-sensitive components vary according to discipline
An abstract of Social Science or Scientific work may contain the scope, purpose, results
and content of the work.
An abstract of Humanities work may contain the thesis, background and conclusion of
the larger work. An abstract is not a review, nor does it evaluate the work being
abstracted
ABSTRACTS are usually devided into two main categories :
DESCRIPTIVE ABSTRACT
What the text is about
The issues or problems explored
The porpuse and methodology of the research
INFORMATIVE ABSTRACT
What the text is about
Emphasis is place don the Problem and method;
They may be required for conference paper proposals or for progress reports;
Informative abstract are written after a project has been completed;
Emphasis is placed on the result and conclusion of the project.
The work of your abstract will depend on the work being abstracted
An abstract of a scientific paper will contain elements not found in an abstract of a
literature article, and vice versa;
However, all abstracts share several mandatory components.
WHAT TO INCLUDE?
Reason For writing:
What is the importance of the research why would a reader be interested in the
larger work?
Problem:
- What problem does his work attempt to solve? What is the scope of the project?
What is the main argument/thesis/claim?
Methodology:
- An abstract of a scientific work may include specific models or
approaches used in the larger study. Other abstracts may describe the types of
evidence used in the research (e.g.qualitative interviews, books reviews, etc.)
Results:
- Again, an abstract of a scientific work may include specific data that indicates the
results of the project. Other abstracts may discuss the findings in a more general
way.
Implications:
- What changes should be implemented as result of the findings of the work? How
does a result of the findings of the work? How does this work add to the body
knowledge on the
topic?
To make it simple:
What the author did
How the author did it
What the author found
What the author concluded
Submitted to:
Mrs. Beatriz Villasis
EAPP Teacher