How to write a successful abstract properly

How to write a successful abstract properly First of all, lets define why you may need this paper and what it is. The abstract is usually used for scientific paper, and it became very popular lately. Sometimes people may easily confuse it with the similar type of document called the annotation for paper. You should keep in your memory these two things are quite different so its a big mistake to confuse them. So, lets begin with the abstract definition and learn some rules about how to make it properly. If to translate the word “abstract” to English, we receive next words: core, summary, outline. So, this document is a brief summary that gives to the reader a possibility to review materials used for writing and choose the information according to their research. We can define the abstract as the works background, a kind of the independent part that covers just some aspects of the whole document written by the author and presented to readers. Sometimes this paper can be created as a part of a given task. You have to understand that even the abstract is situated as the first paragraph of the whole work, this important part should be written as last stage of your task (when you have finished the whole writing). Dont be neither in panic nor rush when you have to make an abstract for a document. Just remember the one simple rule this paper is a brief summary of the whole document. Readers may use it as a short review for your document, because it describes the whole papers content, gives the results of the scientific paper and defines the significance of the problem or research issue in general. People who read the abstract can use it as a short overview of your work. It helps readers understand the main goal of the work before reading it, so people can define if it worth their attention according to their searches. An important moment that you should put in the abstract main phrases and keywords that will simplify the search process. While youre making an abstract, never start work on it till you finish the whole document. After your article is finished, you can write a short brief summary that contains your works goal, problem, methods of research, results and conclusion. After you did it, then you just have to format it correctly to make a good abstract. Writing an abstract in MLA format Keep in your memory this part shouldnt be very large because its just the one paragraph length. According to MLA format, you should follow the specific rules and never exceed the limit of words. Here are main requirements: Make sure your abstract is comprehensive; this means it covers all important parts of the whole article. This part should be written cohesive and smoothly. Dont make it too large with unnecessary words or information, just keep it concise. Try to make it clear and well understandable for both non-experts or experts. The analysis of abstracts show that the main problem in writing this paper is the lack of structure. However, an analysis of abstracts across a range of fields show that a central issue is the lack of structure in abstract writing. That may be a real trouble to write something without clear understanding how to make it properly, which things should come first and which last. We want to clear this moment and introduce an abstract structure. You can discover it and make a successful abstract that will have all the needed parts. How to make the abstract structure properly We already mentioned that the abstract should be brief, but still many people are not sure how to write it properly. Here is a checklist that you can use to create a good abstract: Motivation â€" define why the problem of your work is important? If the articles problem doesnt seem extremely “interesting” for readers, then you should put the motivation first. But if you have written a quite interesting work about the very important problem, then youd better put the problem statement first to define the main problem and goal of your paper. Problem statement â€" define the problem youre solving in your work. Describe in what field you are going to make your researches. Write accurate and dont use jargon words and phrases, its a serious paper that doesnt allow it. Usually the problem statement comes before the motivation, but if you are not sure the most of the readers understand the importance of your paper, then you can put the motivation before the problem statement. Describe your works approach, which methods and procedures you used for researches. Note is you used prototyping, simulation, analysis of field data or analytic models for the research. Results â€" put your papers results in the end of your abstract. Here you should avoid vague words like “small”, “significant” or “very”. Try to define results clearly for readers. Conclusion â€" define if you have answered your papers main problem? Are your results matched your expectations? Was your work significant or it was just a waste of time? Think about if its possible to continue researches in this field and define the possible ways you see. Abstract writing: main steps So, now you have read all instructions and ready to start. Here some important steps of the writing process: Make short notes before starting: Make sure you know the deadline; Define the length of your abstract (notice that the APA style requires the abstract shouldnt be longer than 100 words, and MLA style defines the length as 250 words). Do not exceed these limits. Define the main goal of your work (describe to your readers problem that you have researched) Choose your audience (think about who would be interested in reading the whole paper, why they want to read it) Write your first draft. After you finished it, try to get a feedback from your supervisors or colleagues. This will give you a good understanding if your abstract is written properly. Use received feedback and revise your paper thoroughly. Proofread the finished work and correct all grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. Needless to say that writing a successful abstract can be a real challenge. But if you did the job well, the abstract will allow the reader to understand the purpose of your paper and learn more about the whole article. Of course, not each and every person is able to create a good work, so if you are not sure your abilities are enough good to write a clear abstract, ask our professionals that are ready to offer you their help.