Abstract Outline
Phil Druker, Department of English, UI

Here is an outline for a typical abstract:

Use this for a heading or place the abstract on the title page:

Title of report
Author’s name
Affiliation (organization)
Date

Follow this outline:

1.    Main point  / purpose

(2.    Methods ß only if important)

3.    Main results/ important findings

·       one sentence summary of each section

·       give the main results – the major findings       

4.    Conclusions

5.    Recommendations

6. (List key terms)

Notes on writing an abstract:
1.     Keep it short: 100 words.  6 – 8 sentences.
2. Focus on results and conclusions/recommendations.
3.     Use an appropriate level of technicality: 
    ·        write for other researchers,
    ·     avoid specialized jargon so experts in other fields can read it.
4.     Make it stand on its own
    ·        inform (give the results) rather than describe.
5.     Write it after you have written the whole report.
6.     Do not use it as an introduction or background section.
    ·        Summarize the whole report.
    ·        Anything that appears here should appear in the report.
7.     Consider format:
    ·        single space.
    ·        indent left and right margins.

Sample Abstract