2. Content

Remember: if the proof of the pudding is in its eating, the proof of the abstract is in the reading, not in the title.

An abstract submitted for a conference paper should do two things: tell the conference review panel what you are going to say, interest them in coming to hear you say it. You have about three minutes to grab the attention of the abstract reader. Convince the reader you have something to offer that is worth listening.

Keep your abstract simple. Present concrete, specific ideas. Even if the issues are complicated, present them in a simple way. Clearly distinguish your ideas and claims from those existing in the literature. Always spend more time on presenting your ideas than on criticizing the ideas you argue against.

3. Style

• Create a reading “flow”. The reader should be able to read the text at one go. Beware that since you are too familiar with the subject, you may not be able to determine on your own whether your text has a “flow”. For this reason, have someone else read the text for you with the “flow” in mind.

• Make short sentences. Avoid using longwinded, article-like sentences.

• Be clear and concise.

• Explain abbreviations at their first occurrence.

• Be consistent in the use of cited forms.

• Make the abstract look as if the paper is already written. No future tenses.

• Avoid using adverbs and adjectives.

E.g.: An important and interesting result from previous research in this area

shows that Previous research shows that

4. Abstract Structure

Conference abstracts have certain textual characteristics. They are usually of one-page length (200-300 words) and consist of three paragraphs on average.

A Model for a conference abstract can look like this (Yakhontova, 2002).

PARAGRAPH 1	Outlining the research field Step1a by showing that the general research area is important, central, interesting, problematic or relevant in some way (optional) Or/and Step 1b by reviewing some previous research in the area (obligatory)
	Justifying your research/study Step 2a by counter-claiming or Step 2b by indicating a gap in the previous research or Step 2c by raising a question or Step 2d by continuing a tradition
PARAGRAPH 2	Introducing your paper Step 3 by outlining purposes or nature of the present research
	A brief overview of the conference paper
PARAGRAPH 3	Highlighting the outcome/ making conclusions Step 4 by indicating the most important results or their possible applications and/or implications

Useful Phrases for outlining the research field

Step 1a tends to begin with some standard phrases which can be characterized by evaluative language that emphasizes the interestingness, importance, or novelty of the research area.

A central issue in … is …