Academic Writer

academic writer: organization: abstracts

Abstracts
An abstract is a short summary of your paper, placed at the beginning, usually on its own page. An effective abstract will:
- describe essential content
- be written in simple language
- get your potential reader interested (abstracts are one of the hotspots in your paper)
How to write an abstract... After you have finished writing your paper, reread it and summarize the main parts.

When to include an abstract... An abstract is useful if your paper is going to be published in a journal, posted on the Web, placed in an abstracts data base, or put in any position where potential readers might make a decision to read your paper. It might be required as part of a Final Year paper. For shorter assignments submitted within a classroom or course context it would probably not be required. Check with your teacher.

Abstracts use predictable language. Check these models: Using 'will' to describe the future, using the passive, using the simple present tense, using bullet points.

Academic Writer 2000