Strategies for Writing a Compelling Abstract
Writing an abstract might sound like a simple and easy task. However, it brings several challenges, especially for those who do not have fineness and clarity in their English language or writing skills. It is a piece of writing that requires critical analysis and presentation of data most directly and understandably. An abstract requires strategies and a writing plan. It is the first piece of paper arranged in a thesis. Therefore, it must be focused on engaging and impressing the readers. An Abstract can either encourage or demotivate the readers to delve further into the thesis.
Outline the purpose:
Before start writing the abstract, it is important to understand and outline the purpose of the paper. An abstract is a summary of an original research work. It addresses the problems and shows the methods, results and conclusions of the thesis work. It is an independent piece of paper that helps the readers get a clear idea of the work and its objective.
Structure your abstract:
An abstract must have a well-defined structure. Structuring helps in creating an abstract that is organized and easy to go through. The readers can easily get a clear idea of the papers beyond. The structure of the abstract contains:
Background and purpose: The writers must briefly introduce the topic and the research question. It must also address the problem to be solved.
Methods: It must describe the methodologies and approaches used in the research work.
Results: A summary of the core findings of the research or the conclusion of the study is mentioned.
Conclusion: Also shows the main conclusion and summary of the research work.
Clear and concise:
Clarity and conciseness are the keys to a well-written, successful abstract paper. Writers or authors must avoid the use of unnecessary complex and exaggerated words and phrases. This can confuse the readers, making abstracts difficult to understand. Writers must use straight language to deliver the message. Clear and concise language helps in making it understandable for audiences of all kinds, even those who are not familiar with the target field of study. The abstract must contain all the significant information within 150 to 300 words. This can vary depending on the subject or scope of research.
Feature the key points:
Within the abstract, the most critical parts must be featured by highlighting it. These include new findings, important information related to the field of study or the methodologies developed and used for research work. Featuring or highlighting these points grabs the reader’s attention and helps them know the focus summary of the thesis.
Using present tense:
The abstract must always be written in the present tense, no matter whether the thesis was written in the past. This helps the abstract build relevancy with time. Small grammatical adjustments help in maintaining consistency and engagement among the readers.
Avoid vague statements:
An abstract must be free of vague and ambiguous statements. Writers must be very to the point in describing the details. It must clearly show the contributions made by the research in a specific field of study. The abstract must also show the development made in the academic knowledge and the gaps filled by the study or research. Readers are assured that the information given is authentic and reliable.
Edit and revise:
To produce an abstract that is free from errors and mistakes, revisions are very important. With multiple revisions and editing rounds, even the most undetectable errors can be fixed. This helps in creating an abstract free from spelling and grammatical errors. Editing helps in maintaining a consistent flow in the abstract and improves the overall quality. Revisions also help in improving the readability and understanding of the abstract.
Target the audience:
While writing the abstract, the writer must be aware of the background of the target audience. They must use language and words that match their calibre and intellect. If the scope of the audience is limited, including only the experts in the field then the abstract can contain complex words and terms. On the other hand, if the range of audience is wide, including all people from various backgrounds and fields, then the abstract must contain simple and easy-to-understand words.
Use relevant keywords:
It is important to use relevant and appropriate keywords. This helps in reflecting relevancy in the content of the abstract. Writers must involve commonly used terms and phrases. These keywords help the audience search your abstract and work easily. It helps in improving the traceability of your work.
Writing a compelling abstract:
Writing a compelling abstract in a thesis serves as a summary of the research work, from start to end. It communicates the researcher’s work and findings to the readers. Thus, it must be compelling to read.