The “What”:
Unlike what the term “abstract” implies, an abstract is not abstract at all–it is a concise, academic paragraph that describes your scholarly project. Some examples can be found here.
According to Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab, an abstract should include:
- Why the work was done (the basic problem), the specific purpose or objective, and the scope of the work if that is relevant
- How the work was done, the test methods, means of investigation, materials used (arts)
- What was found—the results, conclusions, recommendations, or the intended impression or reasoning behind the piece (arts)
This is true for both creative works and research.
The “Why”:
For academic projects, abstracts serve as a way to tell your reader what to expect in your project.
Since there are so many projects showcased at academic conferences, like the Celebration of Scholarly Works, an attendee needs to choose the ones they are most interested in because it is often impossible to visit all the presentations. Abstracts serve as a way to inform attendees what your project is about, so they know which oral and poster presentations they want to listen to and see.
Given that your abstract is the first impression of your project someone will encounter, you might feel tempted to make your abstract like a “cliffhanger,” but an abstract should be academic, professional in tone, and should not leave the reader “hanging”–rather, it should be forthright about the scope of your project, including findings and conclusions.
Need help writing your abstract, practicing your oral presentation, creating your poster, or any other related issue? Please make an appointment at the Writers’ Center!
