Writing Report Abstracts
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The document outlines the types of report abstracts, focusing on informational and descriptive abstracts, their purposes, and characteristics. It emphasizes the qualities of a good abstract and provides a step-by-step guide for writing effective report abstracts. Key steps include rereading the report, drafting, revising for coherence, and proofreading the final copy.
Writing Report Abstracts
- 2. Types of Abstracts Informational Abstracts • Communicate contents of reports • Include purpose, methods, scope, results,conclusions,and recommendations • Highlight essential points • Are short—from a paragraph to a page or two, depending upon the length of the report (10% or less of the report) • Allow readers to decide whether they want to read the report
- 3. Types of Abstracts Descriptive Abstracts • Tell what the report contains • Include purpose, methods, scope, but NOT results, conclusions, and recommendations • Are always very short— usually under 100 words • Introduce subject to readers, who must then read the report to learn study results
- 4. Qualities of a Good Abstract An effective abstract • Uses one or more well-developed paragraphs, which are unified, coherent, concise, and able to stand alone • Uses an introduction-body-conclusion structure in which the parts of the report are discussed in order: purpose, findings, conclusions, recommendations • Follows strictly the chronology of the report • Provides logical connections between material included • Adds no new information but simply summarizes the report • Is intelligible to a wide audience
- 5. Steps for Writing for Report Abstracts To write an effective report abstract, follow these four steps Step 1: Reread your report with the purpose of abstracting in mind. Look specifically for these main parts: purpose, methods, scope, results, conclusions, and recommendations.
- 6. Steps for Writing for Report Abstracts Step 2: • After you have finished rereading your report, write a rough draft without looking back at your report. • Consider the main parts of the abstract listed in step #1 • Do not merely copy key sentences from your report. You will put in too much or too little information. Do not summarize information in a new way.
- 7. Steps for Writing for Report Abstracts Step 3: • Revise your rough draft to correct weaknesses in organization and coherence • Drop superfluous information • Add important information originally left out • Eliminate wordiness • Correct errors in grammar and mechanics
- 8. Steps for Writing for Report Abstracts Step 4: • Carefully proofread your final copy Adapted from: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Writing report abstracts
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