How to Write an Abstract

As a key component of your dissertation or thesis, the abstract is a concise summary that introduces your research to your audience. While it may seem like a relatively brief section, the abstract is one of the most important parts of your academic work, as it is often the first thing readers will encounter.

Abstract example

This study explores the significance of silent movies as a means of communal engagement in the United States during the early twentieth century. During this period, heightened immigration rates resulted in a substantial portion of the population being non-English speakers. These immigrants encountered various economic and social challenges, including limited access to public entertainment and avenues of communication such as newspapers, theaters, and radio. Drawing from reviews, personal correspondence, and diaries, this research illustrates that silent films are an affordable and inclusive amusement. It contends that early cinema was both economically accessible and culturally representative.  These assertions are exemplified by the nominal admission fees and the universal appeal of the actors’ exaggerated gestures, facilitating comprehension of plots and actions across diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Keywords: silent movies, immigration, public discourse, entertainment, early cinema, language barriers.

When to Write an Abstract

You will almost always need to include an abstract when:

• When you’ve finished your graduate thesis or doctoral dissertation
• When you’re ready to submit your research paper to an academic journal
• When you’re proposing a book or research project
• When you’re seeking research funding
• When you’re aiming to present at an academic conference

While abstracts appear first, writing them last is best, as they summarize your work. Invest time in creating an engaging and informative abstract to grab readers’ attention and showcase the significance of your research.

Here are the steps for writing an abstract:

Step 1: Introduction

Begin by clearly defining the purpose of your research. What practical or theoretical problem does the study respond to, or what research question did you aim to address? You can provide some brief contextual information about your topic’s social or academic relevance, but avoid going into extensive background details.

After identifying the problem, state your research’s specific objectives or aims. Use action-oriented verbs like “investigate,” “analyze,” or “evaluate” to describe exactly what you set out to do. This part of the abstract should be written in the present or past tense, never the future, as the research is complete.

Step 2: Methods

Next, concisely indicate the research methods you used to answer your question. This should be a straightforward description of your approach and procedures, written in the past tense. Avoid evaluating the validity or limitations of your methodology here – the goal is simply to give the reader a quick insight into what you did.

Example

This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining in-depth interviews with 30 participants and a survey of 200 individuals in the target population.

or

Archival records, census data, and oral histories were analyzed to investigate the social and spatial impacts of the urban renewal program in this case study city.

The methods section of your abstract should be brief, typically encompassing 1-2 sentences.

Step 3: Results

In the next section of your abstract, summarize the key research findings. This part can be written in the present or past simple tense, depending on your preferred style.

Example

The findings indicate a strong positive correlation between the study sample’s daily coffee consumption and workplace productivity.

or 

The analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in productivity metrics among participants who consumed 2-3 cups of coffee daily compared to the control group.”

Depending on the scope and complexity of your full study, you may be unable to include every single result in this limited abstract space. Instead, highlight the most impactful or meaningful findings directly supporting your conclusions.

The goal here is to provide the reader with a concise yet informative overview of what your research uncovered without delving into excessive detail. This results section should complement the abstract’s introductory context and methodological details.

By succinctly summarizing your key research outcomes, you give the reader a clear sense of the substance and significance of your work, whetting their appetite to engage with the full paper, thesis, or report.

Step 4: Discussion

In the final section of your abstract, discuss your research’s key conclusions and implications. This is your opportunity to communicate the central point or argument that your study has addressed or proven.

Conclusions are typically written in the present tense, representing your work’s overarching takeaways and significance. 

Example

This research suggests that increased coffee consumption among office workers is associated with measurable gains in workplace productivity. These results have important implications for workplace wellness policies and employee performance optimization.

Or:

This analysis reveals that urban renewal programs in the mid-20th century disproportionately displaced low-income residents and communities of color, exacerbating patterns of racial and economic segregation within these metropolitan areas. The results underscore the need for more equitable development policies that prioritize the preservation of affordable housing and preventing involuntary displacement.

If there are important limitations to the generalizability or validity of your research, you can briefly mention them within this concluding section. This allows the reader to properly contextualize your findings and conclusions.

Additionally, if your work was aimed at solving a practical problem or informing future research, you can include relevant recommendations or suggestions for further study. This helps highlight your research’s broader real-world applications and scholarly implications.

Keywords

If your paper is slated for publication, it may necessitate including a list of keywords after the abstract. These keywords should highlight the pivotal aspects of your research, aiding prospective readers in locating your paper during their literature searches.

Remember that certain publication manuals, like APA Style, stipulate specific formatting guidelines for these keywords.

Tips for writing an abstract

• Keep your abstract concise, typically between 150-300 words.
• Use clear, straightforward language and avoid jargon or overly complex terminology.
• Ensure that your abstract is self-contained and does not rely on references to the main text.
• Review and revise your abstract multiple times to refine the wording and ensure it accurately reflects your dissertation.
• Check your university’s guidelines; some institutions have specific formatting or length requirements for abstracts.

Following these steps and guidelines, you can craft a compelling abstract that effectively introduces your dissertation and entices readers to engage with your full academic work.