Writing abstracts

Writing abstracts

Many essays will require an abstract. You should assume that any essay over 1500 words needs an abstract. Your Unit Outline will indicate if you don't need to.

Strategies for writing an Abstract

(based on adapted from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/bizwrite/abstracts.html)
An abstract is a condensed version of a longer piece of writing that highlights the major points covered, concisely describes the content and scope of the writing, and reviews the writing's contents in abbreviated form.

  • Introduces your thesis statement
  • includes the purpose, research methods, and scope of the essay
  • does not provide specific evidence
  • are always very short, usually under 150 words.
  • introduces the subject to readers, who must then read the essay to find out your argument
  • follows strictly the chronology of the essay
  • adds no new information, but simply summarises.
  • is understandable to a wider audience.

 

Steps for Writing Effective Abstracts

  • Reread your essay.
  • Look specifically for these main parts of the essay (this should be easy if you have a good thesis statement)
  • Don't merely copy key sentences from your essay or your introduction: you'll put in too much or too little information.
  • Include information about the process of your essay (how was research completed); e.g. by close study of one book of the Bible, by interviewing people, by reading widely one author’s publications