![Some Writing Tips
• Active voice is preferable to passive voice
• “We studied 15 patients with ARDS.” is
much better than “Fifteen patients with
ARDS were studied.”
• Always use the full term before you refer to it by
acronym [for example, Orthotopic Liver
Transplantation (OLT)]
• Write only one thought per sentence.
• Eliminate unnecessary words
• Ensure that verb tenses are consistent and correct](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/how-to-write-an-abstract-221023114600-bcaabb01/85/how-to-write-an-abstract-ppt-29-320.jpg)
how-to-write-an-abstract.ppt
- 1. How to Write an Abstract: Abstract Submission & Poster Presentation Mohammad K. Ismail MD Chief of GI, Methodist University Hospital Program Director GI Fellowship Training University of Tennessee, Memphis
- 2. Why Writing is Important Francis Bacon once said, “reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; but writing an exact man”
- 3. Why bother to write well? To communicate your work well
- 4. Reasons for Not Writing • Difficulty knowing where to start • Not knowing how to start • Anxiety about writing skills • Lack of confidence
- 5. Objectives • Attendees will learn • Basic information about various types of publications • How to write abstract • Submission of Abstract • Some Writing Tips
- 6. What is an Abstract • An abstract is a very concise statement of the major elements of your research project. It states the purpose, methods, and findings of your research project. • An abstract is a condensed version of a full scientific paper.
- 7. Identify Your Topic • First thing is to identify what are you planning to write • Clinical Vignette Abstract • Case report • Case series • Research • Do a background Research
- 8. Background Research Search engines such as • PubMed or MEDLINE • MD Consult • Major Database listing available at UT Library website http://library.utmem.edu/eresources/category/ databases-major
- 9. Four C's of Abstract Writing • Complete — it covers the major parts of the project/case • Concise — it contains no excess wordiness or unnecessary information. • Clear — it is readable, well organized, and not too jargon-laden. • Cohesive — it flows smoothly between the parts.
- 10. How to Pick a Case Report Consider presenting a case -increases awareness of a condition -unusual presentation of a relatively common condition -suggests the proper diagnostic strategy -unusual complication of a disease and its management -about the message or lesson that the case can deliver
- 11. Format of Case Report • Where are you submitting abstract • For the ACP, the rules are available on the electronic abstracts portal (http://www.acponline.org/srf/abstracts/guide. htm) • Check the details for the forum/meeting you planning to submit
- 12. Clinical Vignette (Case Report) Abstract • Title and Author Information • Introduction • Case Description • Discussion
- 13. Title and Author Information • Create a winning title • Should be convincing • Appealing • Format for the title • Following the title, the names of all authors and their institutional affiliations are listed
- 14. Southern Society Meeting GRANULAR CELL TUMOR OF ESOPHAGUS: A CASE SERIES S Narra MD, M K Ismail MD University of Tennesee, Memphis and VA Medical Center Memphis, Tennessee
- 15. ACP Meeting Ergotism Masquerading as Arteritis Amy Tarnower, Associate, Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI.
- 16. Introduction • The introduction should provide the subject, purpose, and merit of the case report. • Present background information • Focused comprehensive literature review that corroborates the author’s claims: prevalence, mortality, "100,000 people each year die of…" “Fulminant hepatic failure is a rare presentation of Wilson’s disease, which if unrecognized carries a high mortality rate without liver transplantation.”
- 17. Case Description • Describe in sequence • the history • physical examination • investigative studies • the patient's progress and outcome
- 18. Discussion The discussion should evaluate the patient case for • accuracy, validity, and uniqueness • compare and contrast the case report with the published literature • why decisions were made and extract the lesson from the case
- 19. Research Abstract • Suggested format • Title and Author Information • Introduction • Methods • Results • Conclusions
- 20. Before Finalizing • Get help from a mentor • Make revisions based upon the feedback • Have others read your draft in order to check for technical errors, such as spelling and grammar mistakes
- 21. Prior to Submission Check Yourself did you : • Follow the instructions!!!! • Include headings exactly as stated in the instructions/template? • Use short, clear sentences; one idea per sentence? • Limit your abstract to the word count/character count requirement? • Edit, edit, edit • Check grammar, syntax and punctuation
- 22. ACP Clinical Vignette Abstract Checklist • Due date for abstract is ____________. • Number of copies needed ____________. • Presenting author is listed as first author. • Presenting author meets eligibility requirements for the meeting. • Author affiliations are listed. • Abstract clearly organized into Introduction, Case Description, and Discussion. • The “lesson” of the case is presented clearly and concisely. • Completed abstract meets word- limit requirements or fits into formatting box. • Abstract printed with correct font size and style (if stipulated). • Others have reviewed abstract for content, style, grammar, and spelling. • Mail abstract to: • Electronic submission
- 23. You Did It! Submit Your Abstract • Submit your abstract on or before any relevant deadline • Mostly online/check on paper submission • Payment may be needed for some Abstract Submission
- 24. Poster Presentation • Once accepted begin preparation early • Review with mentor • Add References appropriately • Submit stuff for printing Abstract for display: check on mounting • Take care of meeting registration, stay and travel arrangement
- 25. Forums for Presentation • ACP Meeting • Southern Society Meeting (SSCI) • Specialty Meetings • American College of Gastroenterology Meeting
- 26. Not the End of Work • Poster presentation: Not the end of work • Intermediate stage in a yet unfinished project • Plan to write full manuscript ASAP • Choose Proper Journal for the case report • Read and follow the “Guidelines for Authors” of the target journal. • Set Goals • Set Deadlines for yourself • Shoot for the Moon
- 27. Why Abstracts Not Accepted Most common deficiencies encountered (in order of frequency): • Poor presentation • Weak discussion • Lack of originality • Poor methods • Inappropriate statistical analysis • Inadequate results
- 28. How to Improve • Writing is an art, you can learn • Read published manuscript and abstract carefully in major journals and focus on detail • Practice; practice; practice • Get help from your mentors and colleagues • Attend classes in writing skills/read books
- 29. Some Writing Tips • Active voice is preferable to passive voice • “We studied 15 patients with ARDS.” is much better than “Fifteen patients with ARDS were studied.” • Always use the full term before you refer to it by acronym [for example, Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT)] • Write only one thought per sentence. • Eliminate unnecessary words • Ensure that verb tenses are consistent and correct
- 30. Closing Thoughts • Scholarly activities and Publications are a required part of residency training • Very Important for residents pursuing academic career • Important for academic advancement • Faraday once said, “Work; finish; publish”