Write an Abstract for your Research Paper
By eHow Contributor
Your research paper or lab report is all done, and your professor (or teacher) has asked that all
papers include an abstract. Here's how to write a college-level (or advanced high school level)
abstract.
Instructions
1. Make sure you are clear on what type of abstract is expected for your paper.
An informative abstract summarizes the entire paper, including the key themes and purpose of
the paper, major facts bearing on the conclusion, and a summary of key findings. This is the
most common type of abstract.
A descriptive abstract, on the other hand, concentrates on identifying the purpose of the paper,
and describing the major areas to be covered in the report. It would be appropriate, for
instance, in a review paper reporting on a survey of literature in a particular field.
2 . Whatever type of abstract you are writing, remember that it is an important first impression.
This is what the reader will see, and will help him or her decide whether to read the rest of the
paper or article.
3. As appropriate to your topic, include any or all of the following:
Why is this topic important -- what problem does it address.
What hypothesis is being examined.
What methods or approach are used to address the topic.
What are the key findings (particularly appropriate to a scientific paper).
What conclusions or discussions stem from the findings.
4. Keep the abstract short, but be sure to include all major points that you want to get across. A
general rule of thumb is that the abstract is no longer than a page, and no longer than 10% the
length of the full report...whichever is shorter.
5. Do not include tables, figures, or references in an abstract.
6. Reread/rewrite. Edit your abstract for content, flow, and readability.
7. Be sure to check with your professor or mentor to make sure there are no specific format
or other requirements for your abstract (or report), beyond those mentioned here.