A thesis and an abstract are entirely different things. The thesis of a paper introduces the main idea or question, while the abstract works to review the entirety of the paper, including the methods and results. Even if you think that you know what your paper is going to be about, always save the abstract for last. You will be able to give a much more accurate summary if you do just that - summarize what you’ve already written.

Is there a maximum or minimum length? Are there style requirements? Are you writing for an instructor or a publication?

Will other academics in your field read this abstract? Should it be accessible to a lay reader or somebody from another field?

Descriptive abstracts explain the purpose, goal, and methods of your research but leave out the results section. These are typically only 100-200 words. Informative abstracts are like a condensed version of your paper, giving an overview of everything in your research including the results. These are much longer than descriptive abstracts, and can be anywhere from a single paragraph to a whole page long. [4] X Research source The basic information included in both styles of abstract is the same, with the main difference being that the results are only included in an informative abstract, and an informative abstract is much longer than a descriptive one. A critical abstract is not often used, but it may be required in some courses. A critical abstract accomplishes the same goals as the other types of abstract, but will also relate the study or work being discussed to the writer’s own research. It may critique the research design or methods. [5] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC’s on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

Why did you decide to do this study or project? How did you conduct your research? What did you find? Why is this research and your findings important? Why should someone read your entire essay?

What problem is your research trying to better understand or solve? What is the scope of your study - a general problem, or something specific? What is your main claim or argument?

Discuss your own research including the variables and your approach. Describe the evidence you have to support your claim Give an overview of your most important sources.

What answer did you reach from your research or study? Was your hypothesis or argument supported? What are the general findings?

What are the implications of your work? Are your results general or very specific?

Many journals have specific style guides for abstracts. If you’ve been given a set of rules or guidelines, follow them to the letter. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

Avoid using direct acronyms or abbreviations in the abstract, as these will need to be explained in order to make sense to the reader. That uses up precious writing room, and should generally be avoided. If your topic is about something well-known enough, you can reference the names of people or places that your paper focuses on. Don’t include tables, figures, sources, or long quotations in your abstract. These take up too much room and usually aren’t what your readers want from an abstract anyway. [9] X Research source

For example, if you’re writing a paper on the cultural differences in perceptions of schizophrenia, be sure to use words like “schizophrenia,” “cross-cultural,” “culture-bound,” “mental illness,” and “societal acceptance. ” These might be search terms people use when looking for a paper on your subject.

Make sure to avoid jargon. This specialized vocabulary may not be understood by general readers in your area and can cause confusion. [12] X Research source

Consulting with your professor, a colleague in your field, or a tutor or writing center consultant can be very helpful. If you have these resources available to you, use them! Asking for assistance can also let you know about any conventions in your field. For example, it is very common to use the passive voice (“experiments were performed”) in the sciences. However, in the humanities active voice is usually preferred.