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- by Charlotte King
- In Study Advice
Posted Jan. 17, 2014
Postgrad Guide to Writing an Abstract for a Conference
After a postgrad course, you (the student) needs to write an abstract to make a presentation at the conference. This is the pinnacle of your degree and all the hard work you have been putting in. An abstract is basically the gist of your paper and barely consists of 300 words. However, this is what will make or break that first impression for you. An abstract should be crisp and hit the point. It should effectively summate your thesis and catch the reader’s attention as well. Here is a post-grad guide to writing an abstract for a conference: Follow a Pattern Every abstract functions on a set of instructions; attention to detail is very important. It comprises everything, including the font size, length, and format of the paper. Stick to the guidelines that you have received and make it a point not to come up with your own style, in order to make things easier for you. You should also include the limitations of your thesis in the abstract itself.
All abstracts are not the same Abstracts vary in format, depending on the target audience. While submitting an abstract at a conference, you should tailor it to fit to the audience needs. Stick to the subject and do not deviate from the topic.
Be thorough with your research When you write an abstract, you are likely to be asked several questions. You should, therefore, be thorough with the key concepts of your abstract paper and must be ready to give out those answers. Always write your abstract by yourself and do not outsource it.
The Heading of the Abstract The heading, or the title of the abstract is key to your success; it should draw the reader towards reading your abstract. Make it intriguing and interesting, and spend enough time to come up with an apt title. The title should always sound positive.
The Index The main paper, or the first few lines should chalk out what the reader can expect from the paper. Your findings and a gist of the subject should be introduced in this section. The index should be short and sweet; it should be simple to understand. The person must be able to find what they’re looking for in the abstract through the index.
Revision After you finish writing your abstract, go through it several times. There are different ways to present a sentence. You may come up with bet lines as a substitute. It’s always advisable to revise the content you have written and find avenues to improvise it.
Technical Aspects Do not make your abstract sound too technical by using several jargons. Even if there are, then give an explanation. Most people would not be aware of your knowledge in the subject. So, keep it simple, yet informative. You can always explain the technical aspects of your thesis in depth. These need not be mentioned in the abstract itself.
Proofread Proofread your abstract thoroughly. Silly grammatical mistakes and unwanted line breaks and spaces make the abstract look ugly. Check for errors in the copy several times even before you print it. Do not use too many colours and make it look like a magazine. Highlight the points where required and always use subtle colours. Bold colours are often considered to be rude.
Writing an abstract for the first time is very challenging and overwhelming. However, if you make a good breakthrough, then it is a wonderful learning experience. As a post-grad, you will be required to write several such abstracts in your career. The first time will teach you how to make it effective.
Related articles
All abstracts are not the same Abstracts vary in format, depending on the target audience. While submitting an abstract at a conference, you should tailor it to fit to the audience needs. Stick to the subject and do not deviate from the topic.
Be thorough with your research When you write an abstract, you are likely to be asked several questions. You should, therefore, be thorough with the key concepts of your abstract paper and must be ready to give out those answers. Always write your abstract by yourself and do not outsource it.
The Heading of the Abstract The heading, or the title of the abstract is key to your success; it should draw the reader towards reading your abstract. Make it intriguing and interesting, and spend enough time to come up with an apt title. The title should always sound positive.
The Index The main paper, or the first few lines should chalk out what the reader can expect from the paper. Your findings and a gist of the subject should be introduced in this section. The index should be short and sweet; it should be simple to understand. The person must be able to find what they’re looking for in the abstract through the index.
Revision After you finish writing your abstract, go through it several times. There are different ways to present a sentence. You may come up with bet lines as a substitute. It’s always advisable to revise the content you have written and find avenues to improvise it.
Technical Aspects Do not make your abstract sound too technical by using several jargons. Even if there are, then give an explanation. Most people would not be aware of your knowledge in the subject. So, keep it simple, yet informative. You can always explain the technical aspects of your thesis in depth. These need not be mentioned in the abstract itself.
Proofread Proofread your abstract thoroughly. Silly grammatical mistakes and unwanted line breaks and spaces make the abstract look ugly. Check for errors in the copy several times even before you print it. Do not use too many colours and make it look like a magazine. Highlight the points where required and always use subtle colours. Bold colours are often considered to be rude.
Writing an abstract for the first time is very challenging and overwhelming. However, if you make a good breakthrough, then it is a wonderful learning experience. As a post-grad, you will be required to write several such abstracts in your career. The first time will teach you how to make it effective.
Related articles
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