How to Write an Abstract

An abstract is a short preview of your report intended to inform potential readers about your topic, research, and findings.

It usually comes at the beginning of a paper and allows people to get a brief glimpse into the content of your research before reading your project in its entirety.
Abstracts are also commonly used as presentation proposals for academic conferences or descriptions for attendees to the conference.

What to Include in an Abstract

An abstract should include the following:

A title that indicates the focus of your project.
The research or data that you have incorporated into the project.
The methodology you used to collect data.
Whether your project is hypothetical or original research.
Your findings, if your project has been completed or projected results, if incomplete or hypothetical.
If you have space, a hint as to the implications of your findings or the general importance of your argument.

Write the abstract after finishing the paper.
Be accurate. Only include information in the original document.
Be concise, get right to the point, and use precise language. Include only 4 or 5 of the most important concepts, findings, or implications.
Do not refer to the author (e.g., “Dr. Seuss argues”).
Do not refer to what type of document you are abstracting (e.g., “This book describes”).
Use active verbs whenever possible. (e.g., gave not was given; interviewed not were interviewed)
Use complete sentences.
Avoid jargon or colloquialisms.
Use familiar terminology whenever you can (and always explain terms that may be unfamiliar to the average reader).