Writing an abstract

An abstract is a short formal original piece of writing which describes a much larger paper (article, chapter of a book or a book). It is similar to a summary but compressed even further. It presents the message and all the main arguments and conclusions (if any) of the complete paper. An abstract contains the key words of the original text; its main function is to give the reader a clear idea if the paper is worth reading.

Useful tips

/from the Writing Center of the University of Northern Carolina at Chapel Hill/

All abstracts include:

• A full citation of the source, preceding the abstract.

• The most important information first.

• The same type and style of language found in the original, including technical language.

• Key words and phrases that quickly identify the content and focus of the work.

• Clear, concise, and powerful language.

• Length ~10% of the original or less

Abstracts may include:

• The thesis of the work, usually in the first sentence.

• Background information that places the work in the larger body of literature.

• The same chronological structure as the original work

When writing an abstract:

Identify key terms:

Search through the entire document for key terms that identify the purpose, scope, and methods of the work. Pay close attention to the Introduction and the Conclusion. These sections should contain all the main ideas and key terms in the paper. When writing the abstract, be sure to incorporate the key terms.

Highlight key phrases and sentences:

Instead of cutting and pasting the actual words, try highlighting sentences or phrases that appear to be central to the work. Then, in a separate document, rewrite the sentences and phrases in your own words.

Don’t look back:

After reading the entire work, put it aside and write a paragraph about the work without referring to it. In the first draft, you may not remember all the key terms or the results, but you will remember what the main point of the work was. Remember not to include any information you did not get from the work being abstracted.

Sample abstract

The Conclusion Chapter from Empire. How Britain Made the Modern World by Niall Ferguson. Penguin books LTD, London, 2004 sums up the most important contribution of the British Empire to the modern world. Its impact is seen as mostly positive, with the most remarkable legacy being free trade, free capital movements, free labour and English as the global language. The Empire promoted liberal capitalism, parliamentary democracy, the rule of law throughout its colonies. Though Great Britain is responsible for enslaving, killing and exploiting indigenous population at the beginning of the empire, later it contributed to the economic development of its colonies, particularly those that were at a low stage of development at the time of colonisation. What’s more, after the collapse of the empire many of its former colonies benefited from British-style institutions and form of governing, which was cost effective, efficient and uncorrupted. The experience of the British Empire testifies to its overall effectiveness: ultimately, it paved the way for economic, legal and political globalization. (166 words)

/This abstract covers texts A, B and C in the Lead-in of unit 1 British Traditionalism (~ 2300 words)/

For more information go to

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/abstracts/