How to Write a One-Page Abstract
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The document provides guidelines for preparing a one-page abstract for conference submission, emphasizing clarity, unique contributions, and authority of the research. Key points include following conference instructions, maintaining a concise structure, and selecting appropriate keywords. Examples illustrate the importance of effective language and formatting to enhance the abstract's impact.
![Revised example 2
KASKUS is the largest online forum in Indonesia, which
has a long and rich oral tradition. Using the concept of
orality (Ong, 2002 [1982]) to analyze the texts of the
political discussion in the KASKUS forum, this paper maps
the relationship between inappropriateness in social media
conversations and the oral tradition.
This paper also critically reviews the concept of orality in
the context of computer-mediated communication.
(66 words; no significant reduction)](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/abstracts-120302232331-phpapp01/85/How-to-Write-a-One-Page-Abstract-9-320.jpg)
![Authors and institutions
Mary Smith [1], John R. Anderson [2], and Susan Franklin [3]
1 First University Name, City, Country
2 Second University Name, City, Country
3 Third University Name, City, Country
• Each line is centered.
• These lines appear directly below the title.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/abstracts-120302232331-phpapp01/85/How-to-Write-a-One-Page-Abstract-16-320.jpg)
![Example: References
Ong, W. J. (2002 [1982]). Orality and literacy: The
technologizing of the word. New York, Routledge.
Papacharissi, Z. (2004). Democracy online: Civility,
politeness, and the democratic potential of online political
discussion groups. New Media & Society, 6(2), 259–283.
Soffer, O. (2010). Silent orality: Toward a conceptualization
of the digital oral features in CMC and SMS texts.
Communication Theory, 20(4), 387–404.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/abstracts-120302232331-phpapp01/85/How-to-Write-a-One-Page-Abstract-21-320.jpg)
How to Write a One-Page Abstract
- 1. THE ABSTRACT How to prepare a one-page abstract for conference submission
- 2. Outline of key considerations 1. Language (use an editor) 2. Instructions from the conference 3. Clarity of writing 4. What makes your study unique and interesting 5. Convince the reader that your paper is a good one (authority) 6. Formatting
- 3. 1. LANGUAGE If the abstract must be written in English, hire a native speaker to edit it
- 4. 2. INSTRUCTIONS Many conferences provide specific guidelines for the contents and format of the abstract (especially: word count)
- 5. 3. CLARITY Ideas in the abstract must be expressed clearly and simply
- 6. Example 1 The primary feature of social media is conversation. There are social media conversation practices in Indonesia that hinder the formation of a public sphere that is characterized by free and deliberative discussion. One of the problems is the inappropriateness of conversation in the discussions. KASKUS as the largest online forum in Indonesia also faces the same problem. The inappropriateness in the form of flaming, spamming, and trolling become obstacles to foster a healthy and rational debates, especially in the context of political discussion. (81 words)
- 7. Revised example 1 The primary feature of social media is conversation. Some social media conversation practices in Indonesia hinder the formation of a public sphere that is characterized by free and deliberative discussion. In online forums, inappropriate practices such as flaming, spamming, and trolling become obstacles to healthy and rational debates, especially in the context of political discussion. (55 words: 26 fewer, a reduction of more than 25%)
- 8. Example 2 KASKUS, as the largest online forum in Indonesia, also faces the same problem. … The objective of this paper is to map the relation between inappropriateness in the political discussions in the KASKUS online forum with the oral tradition by critically reviewing the concept of orality in the context of computer- mediated communication and using orality to analyze the texts of the political discussion in the KASKUS online forum. (68 words)
- 9. Revised example 2 KASKUS is the largest online forum in Indonesia, which has a long and rich oral tradition. Using the concept of orality (Ong, 2002 [1982]) to analyze the texts of the political discussion in the KASKUS forum, this paper maps the relationship between inappropriateness in social media conversations and the oral tradition. This paper also critically reviews the concept of orality in the context of computer-mediated communication. (66 words; no significant reduction)
- 10. 4. UNIQUENESS The people who read your abstract must see that your study is interesting and offers something new
- 11. 5. AUTHORITY The abstract should indicate that the quality of the paper is very good, and that the author really understands the topic
- 12. Example 3: Authority There is disagreement on whether computer-mediated communication represents secondary orality or residual orality (Soffer, 2010). Given that the KASKUS forum participants are writing texts and do not produce sounds, this paper argues that their interaction demonstrates residual orality, which is characterized by habits, thoughts, and expressions that have roots in the oral tradition. Their interaction does not constitute secondary orality, because ...
- 13. 6. FORMATTING Title, author(s), institution(s), structure of the body of the text, references
- 14. Title of the abstract • First — at the top of the page • Upper- and lowercase letters (not all caps) • About 10 to 15 words — usually okay (maximum 20) • No more than 2 lines! • Clear and direct: Describe the study, not the results • Represent the contents of the paper honestly • Include the type of method in the title: A case study A content analysis A survey • Do not be ―clever‖; simple is best
- 15. Examples of abstract titles • Corporate social responsibility for image repair: A case study of BP’s response to the Deepwater Horizon crisis • Transparency in environmental communication: A survey of PRSA members • How gender cues and individual motivations influence perceptions of credibility: An experiment with multiple blog posts
- 16. Authors and institutions Mary Smith [1], John R. Anderson [2], and Susan Franklin [3] 1 First University Name, City, Country 2 Second University Name, City, Country 3 Third University Name, City, Country • Each line is centered. • These lines appear directly below the title.
- 17. Structure of the abstract text 1. Rationale Usually one sentence that introduces the topic Do NOT repeat the title! 2. Objective(s) What were you trying to find out? Why was this study done? 3. Methods (be very clear!): Examples on next slide 4. Results: State what you found (real data, but brief) 5. Conclusions Say what it means Why is it important?
- 18. Examples of methods • A framing analysis of 500 newspaper articles published from September 2005 to September 2010 … • Transcripts of structured interviews with 12 victims of police corruption were analyzed by … • Surveys were completed by 431 healthcare practitioners; 29 surveys were eliminated because more than 10 percent of questions were not answered (N=402). A statistical analysis of the responses showed …
- 19. Structure: Guidelines for length 1. Rationale: 1 sentence 2. Objective(s): 1–2 sentences 3. Methods: 2 sentences 4. Results: 4–6 sentences 5. Conclusions: 1–2 sentences Hint: Try saying each one of the 5 out loud, in your first language, until you can do it in the recommended number of sentences. Then write that. Then translate it.
- 20. References • Not always required • Some conferences give instructions not to include these • Where? At the bottom of the page • Style: Correct reference/citation style, e.g., Chicago or APA style • Number: Usually no more than 3; 1 or none — okay • Hanging indent: Not necessary (unless required) • Do not include them unless they really help the abstract (for example, by allowing you to omit an explanation)
- 21. Example: References Ong, W. J. (2002 [1982]). Orality and literacy: The technologizing of the word. New York, Routledge. Papacharissi, Z. (2004). Democracy online: Civility, politeness, and the democratic potential of online political discussion groups. New Media & Society, 6(2), 259–283. Soffer, O. (2010). Silent orality: Toward a conceptualization of the digital oral features in CMC and SMS texts. Communication Theory, 20(4), 387–404.
- 22. WHY AN ABSTRACT? The main purpose of the abstract is to communicate the reasons for, and the value of, your study
- 23. Choosing keywords • How many? 5 to 8 — not more • How to choose them? Think of searching: What will people type into a search engine if they are looking for a paper like yours? • Do not use duplicate words, e.g., reporter and reporting • Do not use common words that already appear in your abstract, e.g., online • Do use terms that are commonly applied to your topic, e.g., social media
- 24. THE ABSTRACT Presentation by Mindy McAdams University of Florida, USA mmcadams@jou.ufl.edu
Editor's Notes
- #2: UNPAD, 2 March 2012
- #3: These 6 points are discussed in detail in this presentation.
- #4: Even a fluent non-native speaker will find it difficult to express the ideas in an academic paper.
- #5: If the instructions from the specific conference contradict the advice in this presentation, please follow the instructions from the conference!
- #6: Do not try to sound important. Do not use big words and complicated sentences. The goal is to communicate very clearly.
- #7: This is very clear, but it could be more direct.
- #8: Here the communication is more simple and direct. Remember that the reviewers will be reading A LOT of abstracts – and QUICKLY.
- #9: This part of the abstract (objectives) must be very easy to understand.
- #10: Ong, W. J. (2002 [1982]). Orality and literacy: The technologizing of the word. New York, Routledge.
- #11: If your study is not interesting and/or not adding something new to the field of study, then there is no reason for your paper to be accepted!
- #12: Sometimes the sentences about theory do the OPPOSITE — theymake the author sound LESS than expert.
- #13: These sentences demonstrate that this author really does understand his theory very well. He shows his authority by the way he discusses the theory. Soffer, O. (2010). Silent orality: Toward a conceptualization of the digital oral features in CMC and SMS texts. Communication Theory, 20(4), 387–404.
- #14: These will be discussed in detail.
- #15: Do not add any subtitle! There is only one title for an abstract.
- #17: Superscripts may be used after the authors’ names. If there is only one author, the author’s name and institution may appear together on one line.
- #20: Remember that your GOAL is to COMMUNICATE clearly with another human being – the one who is reading your abstract.
- #21: Remember to follow the instructions from the specific conference to which you send the abstract. If they say NO references, then DO NOT include them.
- #23: And to do it QUICKLY, briefly, EFFICIENTLY.
- #24: The keywords are not important in the process of accepting or rejecting an abstract. However, they will be important if the abstract is later published online, or included in a database.
- #25: UNPAD, Jatinangor, Jawa Barat, Indonesia,2 March 2012. Presentation to lecturers in FIKOM.