• Contact AAPS
  • Get the Newsletter

Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences

How to Write a Really Great Presentation Abstract

Whether this is your first abstract submission or you just need a refresher on best practices when writing a conference abstract, these tips are for you..

An abstract for a presentation should include most the following sections. Sometimes they will only be a sentence each since abstracts are typically short (250 words):

  • What (the focus): Clearly explain your idea or question your work addresses (i.e. how to recruit participants in a retirement community, a new perspective on the concept of “participant” in citizen science, a strategy for taking results to local government agencies).
  • Why (the purpose): Explain why your focus is important (i.e. older people in retirement communities are often left out of citizen science; participants in citizen science are often marginalized as “just” data collectors; taking data to local governments is rarely successful in changing policy, etc.)
  • How (the methods): Describe how you collected information/data to answer your question. Your methods might be quantitative (producing a number-based result, such as a count of participants before and after your intervention), or qualitative (producing or documenting information that is not metric-based such as surveys or interviews to document opinions, or motivations behind a person’s action) or both.
  • Results: Share your results — the information you collected. What does the data say? (e.g. Retirement community members respond best to in-person workshops; participants described their participation in the following ways, 6 out of 10 attempts to influence a local government resulted in policy changes ).
  • Conclusion : State your conclusion(s) by relating your data to your original question. Discuss the connections between your results and the problem (retirement communities are a wonderful resource for new participants; when we broaden the definition of “participant” the way participants describe their relationship to science changes; involvement of a credentialed scientist increases the likelihood of success of evidence being taken seriously by local governments.). If your project is still ‘in progress’ and you don’t yet have solid conclusions, use this space to discuss what you know at the moment (i.e. lessons learned so far, emerging trends, etc).

Here is a sample abstract submitted to a previous conference as an example:

Giving participants feedback about the data they help to collect can be a critical (and sometimes ignored) part of a healthy citizen science cycle. One study on participant motivations in citizen science projects noted “When scientists were not cognizant of providing periodic feedback to their volunteers, volunteers felt peripheral, became demotivated, and tended to forgo future work on those projects” (Rotman et al, 2012). In that same study, the authors indicated that scientists tended to overlook the importance of feedback to volunteers, missing their critical interest in the science and the value to participants when their contributions were recognized. Prioritizing feedback for volunteers adds value to a project, but can be daunting for project staff. This speed talk will cover 3 different kinds of visual feedback that can be utilized to keep participants in-the-loop. We’ll cover strengths and weaknesses of each visualization and point people to tools available on the Web to help create powerful visualizations. Rotman, D., Preece, J., Hammock, J., Procita, K., Hansen, D., Parr, C., et al. (2012). Dynamic changes in motivation in collaborative citizen-science projects. the ACM 2012 conference (pp. 217–226). New York, New York, USA: ACM. doi:10.1145/2145204.2145238

📊   Data Ethics  – Refers to trustworthy data practices for citizen science.

Get involved » Join the Data Ethics Topic Room on CSA Connect!

📰   Publication Ethics  – Refers to the best practice in the ethics of scholarly publishing.

Get involved » Join the Publication Ethics Topic Room on CSA Connect!

⚖️  Social Justice Ethics  – Refers to fair and just relations between the individual and society as measured by the distribution of wealth, opportunities for personal activity, and social privileges. Social justice also encompasses inclusiveness and diversity.

Get involved » Join the Social Justice Topic Room on CSA Connect!

👤   Human Subject Ethics  – Refers to rules of conduct in any research involving humans including biomedical research, social studies. Note that this goes beyond human subject ethics regulations as much of what goes on isn’t covered.

Get involved » Join the Human Subject Ethics Topic Room on CSA Connect!

🍃  Biodiversity & Environmental Ethics – Refers to the improvement of the dynamics between humans and the myriad of species that combine to create the biosphere, which will ultimately benefit both humans and non-humans alike [UNESCO 2011 white paper on Ethics and Biodiversity ]. This is a kind of ethics that is advancing rapidly in light of the current global crisis as many stakeholders know how critical biodiversity is to the human species (e.g., public health, women’s rights, social and environmental justice).

⚠ UNESCO also affirms that respect for biological diversity implies respect for societal and cultural diversity, as both elements are intimately interconnected and fundamental to global well-being and peace. ( Source ).

Get involved » Join the Biodiversity & Environmental Ethics Topic Room on CSA Connect!

🤝  Community Partnership Ethics – Refers to rules of engagement and respect of community members directly or directly involved or affected by any research study/project.

Get involved » Join the Community Partnership Ethics Topic Room on CSA Connect!

Fourwaves

  • Event Website Publish a modern and mobile friendly event website.
  • Registration & Payments Collect registrations & online payments for your event.
  • Abstract Management Collect and manage all your abstract submissions.
  • Peer Reviews Easily distribute and manage your peer reviews.
  • Conference Program Effortlessly build & publish your event program.
  • Virtual Poster Sessions Host engaging virtual poster sessions.
  • Customer Success Stories
  • Wall of Love ❤️

How to Write an Abstract for a Conference

Matthieu Chartier, PhD.

Published on 27 Jan 2022

Scientific conferences are a great way to show your work to researchers in your field, get useful feedback and network. For most conferences, you will need to submit an abstract of your research project to register. 

I remember when, a few months into my graduate studies, my supervisor recommended that I submit an abstract for a conference. It was exciting but also intimidating. I felt I did not know my work well enough to write it. In fact, the process of writing the abstract gave me a much better grasp of my research project. 

I have since then written over a dozen abstracts for conferences and developed a process I’ll share with you today.

But first, what makes a great abstract? A great abstract contains all the key points and no unnecessary details of the research it relates to. It is a stand-alone text that conveys a clear message and tells you whether the research paper, poster or presentation is of interest to you.  

The abstract is the only information that scientific conference organizers will have access to. From it, they will assess the quality of your work and decide whether it is worth including in the event. Writing a great abstract improves your chances of being selected.

There are two main types of abstracts: classic or academic abstracts (the focus of this article) and layman summaries (more on these later).

How to write an abstract for a conference

1. check the guidelines.

Make sure you carefully read and follow the submission guidelines. Not doing so could get your abstract automatically rejected. One study reported that over 70% of abstracts submitted were rejected for not adhering to the submission guidelines.

Conference websites will usually provide detailed indications about formatting (font, spacing) and word count (typically 200-300 words). If no indications are given, you can consult abstract examples in the handbooks for previous years of the conference.

Make sure to check the indications for writing the authors’ names (sometimes the presenting author must be highlighted) and affiliations. At the same time, don’t forget to include everyone who has contributed to the work.

2. Choose your abstract title

The title should make it clear what your project is about and spark interest. If you’re not given specific directions, try to make it around 12 words. If you can’t read it in one breath, it’s probably too long! 

3. Define the background and motivation

This section answers the “why” of your research. Start with one or two sentences stating what is known in your field of study. Then, point out the gap that your research addresses or what question(s) you’re trying to answer. You need to convey what is the purpose of your project and its relevance. Sometimes the guidelines will require you to write the goals and/or hypothesis of your project.

4. The methodology

In this section you need to answer the “how” of your project. Outline the tools, study design, sample characteristics. There’s no need to be overly detailed here. For example, you don’t need to get into the specifics of the statistic tests you used if your project goals are not related to statistics.   

5. Main results and findings

This is the “what” section, as in “what did you find”? Ideally, the results should be the longest section of the abstract, say 40-50% of the total word count. This gives you some leeway in how many sentences you can use. State the main findings of your work in accordance with what you wrote in the background section.

The results should be unbiased and factual. Stay away from writing about the significance of your findings here. You can use linking words such as “moreover” or “in contrast” but avoid “interestingly” or “unexpectedly”, especially if it won’t be clear for the readers why the finding has such connotation. 

If you’re just a few months into your project, you might not have a lot of results yet, and that is ok. Do not try to extend this section by adding results that are not significant or just preliminary. You can show those in the actual presentation or poster and discuss them accordingly. 

6. Conclusions and relevance

Clearly state the main conclusion(s) that arise from your results. This is the moment to express the significance of your findings. Contrast them to existing literature; are they in accordance or opposition to previous studies? Highlight any novelty in your discoveries. Express the implications of your findings within the field and what new research avenues they open. 

7. Keywords

Sometimes, abstract submissions will allow you to add keywords . These are a great tool for people to find your work when they search for specific words. Choose words related to your research that are commonly used in your field. For inspiration, look up the keywords in related research papers you read.

Abstract structure

It is common for conferences to ask for a structured abstract. In this format, each section (background/introduction, methods, results, conclusions) is identified and separated from the rest. In traditional unstructured abstracts, all sections are combined. Other than that, the writing is pretty much the same in both cases. 

Layman abstracts

Layman or lay summaries are written in plain language so they can be understood by the general public. They are required for certain scholarships or to obtain government fundings. In these cases, people who are not experts in your field need to be able to grasp the significance of your research.

When writing a lay summary, don’t think of it as a “translation”, sentence by sentence, of your academic abstract. Rather, think of how you would explain and convey the importance of your project to a family member or a friend. Avoid any field-specific jargon. Be brief for the more technical sections (methods and results) and expand on the background, main conclusions, and relevance of your research.

You can read these guidelines for more guidance on how to write a lay summary.

General tips

  • Start writing your abstract early. Whatever time you think it will take, double it. Having a draft of your abstract way before the deadline will allow you to go back to it, edit and make improvements. 
  • Ask your colleagues, other graduate students and certainly your supervisor to look over your abstract and give you feedback before you submit it.
  • Most likely you will find the word limits constricting. One thing that will help is to use, as in all scientific writing, short clear sentences. Make every single word count. Every sentence should serve a purpose.
  • Find the handbook for previous years of the conference you are interested in. It will contain some successful abstract examples to model. 
  • Read abstracts of papers in your field and evaluate whether they are successful or not. 
  • Finally, practice makes perfect. Keep updating and improving your abstract as your research goes along and submit to multiple conferences.

Abstract submission management

If you’re in charge of collecting abstracts for a conference, it’s best to have a system or use a software to avoid errors and confusion. A custom form for abstract submission is better than collecting them by email. Other things to consider are how you're going to manage the peer reviews and make abstract available online if relevant.

In conclusion

Only the key points of your research should be in your conference abstract. A great abstract can generate excitement and interest in your project. Writing a great abstract demonstrates that you know your stuff, and ultimately, that is what conference organizers are looking for.

5 Best Event Registration Platforms for Your Next Conference

By having one software to organize registrations and submissions, a pediatric health center runs aro...

5 Essential Conference Apps for Your Event

In today’s digital age, the success of any conference hinges not just on the content and speakers bu...

Tips for Writing an Excellent Conference Abstract

By Kathy Van Dusen, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NHDP-BC Apr 05, 2022

  • Orientation

Add to Collection

Added to Collection

Have you ever attended a nursing conference and thought to yourself that someday you would love to present a session at this conference? Perhaps you submitted an abstract that didn’t get accepted. Have you read a call for abstracts and wished you knew how to write an excellent abstract? Maybe you are ready to take your professional growth to the next level by presenting at a national conference. Following are some tips to help you write an excellent conference abstract.

The road to an outstanding abstract begins with carefully reviewing the submission guidelines for the conference.

Before You Begin

  • Read the directions carefully and often.
  • Understand the format, length and content expected.
  • Seek a mentor who has experience writing abstracts.
  • Allow yourself enough time to prepare a first-rate submission; waiting until the last minute rarely results in quality content.
  • Make sure there is evidence to support your topic, and provide current references.

Selecting a Topic

Let’s start at the beginning of your submission with the topic of your abstract. Consider the audience who attends the conference, and think of clinical or professional practice topics that would be meaningful and valuable to them. Timely and relevant topics with fresh ideas and takeaways are a great way to start, and they include:

  • New research or clinical guidelines
  • Topics that highlight your area of expertise
  • Topics that are relevant to conference attendees
  • Subjects that apply to current practice challenges or workplace concerns
  • Narrowing your topic to focus on key information that will fit in the time allotted

Abstract Titles

The title is the first thing abstract scorers and conference attendees will see, so it is worth spending some time trying a few variations to see what conveys the main point of your abstract and entices the audience to read further:

  • Keep the title clear and concise; be certain it accurately reflects your presentation.
  • Catchy titles grab the reader’s attention, yet describe the subject well.
  • A title with 12 or fewer words is optimal.

Abstract Content

Plan your abstract thoroughly before writing it. A high-quality abstract addresses the problem or question, the evidence and the solutions. It is important to give an overview of what you intend to include in the presentation. Abstracts should be concise but also informative. Sentences should be short to convey the needed information and free of words or phrases that do not add value. Keep your audience in mind as you prepare your abstract. How much background information you provide on a topic will depend on the conference. It is a good idea to explain how you plan to engage the audience with your teaching methods, such as case studies, polling or audience participation.

  • After the title, the first sentence should be a hook that grabs the reader’s attention and entices them to continue reading.
  • The second sentence should be a focused problem statement supported by evidence.
  • The next few sentences provide the solution to the problem.
  • The conclusion should reiterate the purpose of your presentation in one or two sentences.

Learning Objectives

If the conference abstract requires learning objectives, start each one with an action verb. Action verbs are words such as apply, demonstrate, explain, identify, outline and analyze. Refrain from using nonaction verbs and phrases such as understand, recognize, be able to, and become familiar with. Learning objectives must be congruent with the purpose, session description/summary and abstract text. For a list of action verbs, refer to a Bloom’s Taxonomy chart .

Editing Your Abstract

Editing is an important part of the abstract submission process. The editing phase will help you see the abstract as a whole and remove unnecessary words or phrases that do not provide value:

  • The final draft should be clear and easy to read and understand.
  • Your language should be professional and adhere to abstract guidelines.
  • Writing in the present tense is preferred.
  • If there is more than one author, each author should review and edit the draft.
  • Ask a colleague who is a good editor to critique your work.
  • Reread your abstract and compare it with the abstract guidelines.
  • Great content that is written poorly will not be accepted.
  • Prevent typographical errors by writing your submission as a Word document first, and copy and paste it into the submission platform after you check spelling and grammar.
  • Follow word and character count instructions, abstract style and formatting guidelines.
  • Do not try to bend the rules to fit your needs; authors who do not follow the guidelines are more likely to have their submission rejected.
  • After you finish writing your abstract, put it aside and return later with a fresh mind before submitting it.

Grammar Tips

  • Avoid ampersands (&) and abbreviations such as, etc.
  • Parenthetical remarks (however relevant they may seem) are rarely necessary.
  • It is usually incorrect to split an infinitive. An infinitive consists of the word “to” and the simple form of a verb (e.g., to go, to read).
  • Examples: “To suddenly go” and “to quickly read” are examples of split infinitives, because the adverbs (suddenly and quickly) split (break up) the infinitives to go and to read.
  • Contractions are not used in scholarly writing. Using contractions in academic writing is usually not encouraged, because it can make your writing sound informal.
  • I’m = I am
  • They’re = They are
  • I’d = I had
  • She’s = She is
  • How’s = How is
  • Avoid quotations.
  • Do not be redundant or use more words than necessary.
  • Use an active voice.

National Teaching Institute (NTI) Submissions

We invite you to participate in AACN’s mission to advance, promote and distribute information through education, research and science. The API (Advanced Practice Institute) and NTI volunteer committees review and score every abstract submitted for NTI. Abstracts are reviewed for relevance of content, quality of writing and expression of ideas. At NTI there are four session times to choose from. Your abstract should demonstrate that you have enough content to cover the selected time frame.

Session Types for NTI

  • Mastery: 2.5 hours of content
  • Concurrent: 60- or 75-minute sessions
  • Preconference half-day: 3 hours of content
  • Preconference full-day: 6 hours of content

Links for NTI Submissions

  • Submit an abstract for NTI
  • Read the Live Abstract Guidelines before submitting your abstract

Putting time and effort into writing an excellent abstract is the gateway to a podium presentation. It’s time to kickstart your professional growth and confidently submit a conference abstract.

For what conference will you submit an abstract?

featured profile

This is an excellent blog with very sound advice. It has great content for nurses who are wanting to submit an abstract but feel they do not know whe ... re to start and so they never take the opportunity to do it. Read More

profile

Are you sure you want to delete this Comment?

LSE - Small Logo

  • About the LSE Impact Blog
  • Comments Policy
  • Popular Posts
  • Recent Posts
  • Subscribe to the Impact Blog
  • Write for us
  • LSE comment

January 27th, 2015

How to write a killer conference abstract: the first step towards an engaging presentation..

34 comments | 128 shares

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Helen Kara responds to our previously published guide to writing abstracts and elaborates specifically on the differences for conference abstracts. She offers tips for writing an enticing abstract for conference organisers and an engaging conference presentation. Written grammar is different from spoken grammar. Remember that conference organisers are trying to create as interesting and stimulating an event as they can, and variety is crucial.

Enjoying this blogpost? 📨 Sign up to our  mailing list  and receive all the latest LSE Impact Blog news direct to your inbox.

The Impact blog has an  ‘essential ‘how-to’ guide to writing good abstracts’ . While this post makes some excellent points, its title and first sentence don’t differentiate between article and conference abstracts. The standfirst talks about article abstracts, but then the first sentence is, ‘Abstracts tend to be rather casually written, perhaps at the beginning of writing when authors don’t yet really know what they want to say, or perhaps as a rushed afterthought just before submission to a journal or a conference.’ This, coming so soon after the title, gives the impression that the post is about both article and conference abstracts.

I think there are some fundamental differences between the two. For example:

  • Article abstracts are presented to journal editors along with the article concerned. Conference abstracts are presented alone to conference organisers. This means that journal editors or peer reviewers can say e.g. ‘great article but the abstract needs work’, while a poor abstract submitted to a conference organiser is very unlikely to be accepted.
  • Articles are typically 4,000-8,000 words long. Conference presentation slots usually allow 20 minutes so, given that – for good listening comprehension – presenters should speak at around 125 words per minute, a conference presentation should be around 2,500 words long.
  • Articles are written to be read from the page, while conference presentations are presented in person. Written grammar is different from spoken grammar, and there is nothing so tedious for a conference audience than the old-skool approach of reading your written presentation from the page. Fewer people do this now – but still, too many. It’s unethical to bore people! You need to engage your audience, and conference organisers will like to know how you intend to hold their interest.

Image credit:  allanfernancato  ( Pixabay, CC0 Public Domain )

The competition for getting a conference abstract accepted is rarely as fierce as the competition for getting an article accepted. Some conferences don’t even receive as many abstracts as they have presentation slots. But even then, they’re more likely to re-arrange their programme than to accept a poor quality abstract. And you can’t take it for granted that your abstract won’t face much competition. I’ve recently read over 90 abstracts submitted for the  Creative Research Methods conference in May  – for 24 presentation slots. As a result, I have four useful tips to share with you about how to write a killer conference abstract.

First , your conference abstract is a sales tool: you are selling your ideas, first to the conference organisers, and then to the conference delegates. You need to make your abstract as fascinating and enticing as possible. And that means making it different. So take a little time to think through some key questions:

  • What kinds of presentations is this conference most likely to attract? How can you make yours different?
  • What are the fashionable areas in your field right now? Are you working in one of these areas? If so, how can you make your presentation different from others doing the same? If not, how can you make your presentation appealing?

There may be clues in the call for papers, so study this carefully. For example, we knew that the  Creative Research Methods conference , like all general methods conferences, was likely to receive a majority of abstracts covering data collection methods. So we stated up front, in the call for papers, that we knew this was likely, and encouraged potential presenters to offer creative methods of planning research, reviewing literature, analysing data, writing research, and so on. Even so, around three-quarters of the abstracts we received focused on data collection. This meant that each of those abstracts was less likely to be accepted than an abstract focusing on a different aspect of the research process, because we wanted to offer delegates a good balance of presentations.

Currently fashionable areas in the field of research methods include research using social media and autoethnography/ embodiment. We received quite a few abstracts addressing these, but again, in the interests of balance, were only likely to accept one (at most) in each area. Remember that conference organisers are trying to create as interesting and stimulating an event as they can, and variety is crucial.

Second , write your abstract well. Unless your abstract is for a highly academic and theoretical conference, wear your learning lightly. Engaging concepts in plain English, with a sprinkling of references for context, is much more appealing to conference organisers wading through sheaves of abstracts than complicated sentences with lots of long words, definitions of terms, and several dozen references. Conference organisers are not looking for evidence that you can do really clever writing (save that for your article abstracts), they are looking for evidence that you can give an entertaining presentation.

Third , conference abstracts written in the future tense are off-putting for conference organisers, because they don’t make it clear that the potential presenter knows what they’ll be talking about. I was surprised by how many potential presenters did this. If your presentation will include information about work you’ll be doing in between the call for papers and the conference itself (which is entirely reasonable as this can be a period of six months or more), then make that clear. So, for example, don’t say, ‘This presentation will cover the problems I encounter when I analyse data with homeless young people, and how I solve those problems’, say, ‘I will be analysing data with homeless young people over the next three months, and in the following three months I will prepare a presentation about the problems we encountered while doing this and how we tackled those problems’.

Fourth , of course you need to tell conference organisers about your research: its context, method, and findings. It will also help enormously if you can take a sentence or three to explain what you intend to include in the presentation itself. So, perhaps something like, ‘I will briefly outline the process of participatory data analysis we developed, supported by slides. I will then show a two-minute video which will illustrate both the process in action and some of the problems encountered. After that, again using slides, I will outline each of the problems and how we tackled them in practice.’ This will give conference organisers some confidence that you can actually put together and deliver an engaging presentation.

So, to summarise, to maximise your chances of success when submitting conference abstracts:

  • Make your abstract fascinating, enticing, and different.
  • Write your abstract well, using plain English wherever possible.
  • Don’t write in the future tense if you can help it – and, if you must, specify clearly what you will do and when.
  • Explain your research, and also give an explanation of what you intend to include in the presentation.

While that won’t guarantee success, it will massively increase your chances. Best of luck!

This post originally appeared on the author’s personal blog and is reposted with permission.

Note: This article gives the views of the author, and not the position of the Impact of Social Science blog, nor of the London School of Economics. Please review our  Comments Policy  if you have any concerns on posting a comment below.

About the Author

Dr Helen Kara has been an independent social researcher in social care and health since 1999, and is an Associate Research Fellow at the Third Sector Research Centre , University of Birmingham. She is on the Board of the UK’s Social Research Association , with lead responsibility for research ethics. She also teaches research methods to practitioners and students, and writes on research methods. Helen is the author of Research and Evaluation for Busy Practitioners (2012) and Creative Research Methods in the Social Sciences (April 2015) , both published by Policy Press . She did her first degree in Social Psychology at the LSE.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

About the author

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

Dr Helen Kara has been an independent researcher since 1999 and also teaches research methods and ethics. She is not, and never has been, an academic, though she has learned to speak the language. In 2015 Helen was the first fully independent researcher to be conferred as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. She is also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, University of Manchester. She has written widely on research methods and ethics, including Research Ethics in the Real World: Euro-Western and Indigenous Perspectives (2018, Policy Press).

34 Comments

Personally, I’d rather not see reading a presentation written off so easily, for three off the cuff reasons:

1) Reading can be done really well, especially if the paper was written to be read.

2) It seems to be well suited to certain kinds of qualitative studies, particularly those that are narrative driven.

3) It seems to require a different kind of focus or concentration — one that requires more intensive listening (as opposed to following an outline driven presentation that’s supplemented with visuals, i.e., slides).

Admittedly, I’ve read some papers before, and writing them to be read can be a rewarding process, too. I had to pay attention to details differently: structure, tone, story, etc. It can be an insightful process, especially for works in progress.

Sean, thanks for your comment, which I think is a really useful addition to the discussion. I’ve sat through so many turgid not-written-to-be-read presentations that it never occurred to me they could be done well until I heard your thoughts. What you say makes a great deal of sense to me, particularly with presentations that are consciously ‘written to be read’ out loud. I think where they can get tedious is where a paper written for the page is read out loud instead, because for me that really doesn’t work. But I love to listen to stories, and I think of some of the quality storytelling that is broadcast on radio, and of audiobooks that work well (again, in my experience, they don’t all), and I do entirely see your point.

Helen, I appreciate your encouraging me remark on such a minor part of your post(!), which I enjoyed reading and will share. And thank you for the reply and the exchange on Twitter.

Very much enjoyed your post Helen. And your subsequent comments Sean. On the subject of the reading of a presentation. I agree that some people can write a paper specifically to be read and this can be done well. But I would think that this is a dying art. Perhaps in the humanities it might survive longer. Reading through the rest of your post I love the advice. I’m presenting at my first LIS conference next month and had I read your post first I probably would have written it differently. Advice for the future for me.

Martin – and Sean – thank you so much for your kind comments. Maybe there are steps we can take to keep the art alive; advocates for it, such as Sean, will no doubt help. And, Martin, if you’re presenting next month, you must have done perfectly well all by yourself! Congratulations on the acceptance, and best of luck for the presentation.

Great article! Obvious at it may seem, a point zero may be added before the other four: which _are_ your ideas?

A scientific writing coach told me she often runs a little exercise with her students. She tells them to put away their (journal) abstract and then asks them to summarize the bottom line in three statements. After some thinking, the students come up with an answer. Then the coach tells the students to reach for the abstract, read it and look for the bottom line they just summarised. Very often, they find that their own main observations and/or conclusions are not clearly expressed in the abstract.

PS I love the line “It’s unethical to bore people!” 🙂

Thanks for your comment, Olle – that’s a great point. I think something happens to us when we’re writing, in which we become so clear about what we want to say that we think we’ve said it even when we haven’t. Your friend’s exercise sounds like a great trick for finding out when we’ve done that. And thanks for the compliments, too!

  • Pingback: How to write a conference abstract | Blog @HEC Paris Library
  • Pingback: Writer’s Paralysis | Helen Kara
  • Pingback: Weekend reads: - Retraction Watch at Retraction Watch
  • Pingback: The Weekly Roundup | The Graduate School
  • Pingback: My Top 10 Abstract Writing tips | Jon Rainford's Blog
  • Pingback: Review of the Year 2015 | Helen Kara
  • Pingback: Impact of Social Sciences – 2015 Year-In-Review: LSE Impact Blog’s Most Popular Posts

Thank you very much for the tips, they are really helpful. I have actually been accepted to present a PuchaKucha presentation in an educational interdisciplinary conference at my university. my presentation would be about the challenges faced by women in my country. So, it would be just a review of the literature. from what I’ve been reading, conferences are about new research and your new ideas… Is what I’m doing wrong??? that’s my first conference I’ll be speaking in and I’m afraid to ruin it!!! I will be really grateful about any advice ^_^

First of all: you’re not going to ruin the conference, even if you think you made a bad presentation. You should always remember that people are not very concerned about you–they are mostly concerned about themselves. Take comfort in that thought!

Here are some notes: • If it is a Pecha Kucha night, you stand in front of a mixed audience. Remember that scientists understand layman’s stuff, but laymen don’t understand scientists stuff. • Pecha Kucha is also very VISUAL! Remember that you can’t control the flow of slides – they change every 20 seconds. • Make your main messages clear. You can use either one of these templates.

A. Which are the THREE most important observations, conclusions, implications or messages from your study?

B. Inform them! (LOGOS) Engage them! (PATHOS) Make an impression! (ETHOS)

C. What do you do as a scientist/is a study about? What problem(s) do you address? How is your research different? Why should I care?

Good luck and remember to focus on (1) the audience, (2) your mission, (3) your stuff and (4) yourself, in that order.

  • Pingback: How to choose a conference then write an abstract that gets you noticed | The Research Companion
  • Pingback: Impact of Social Sciences – Impact Community Insights: Five things we learned from our Reader Survey and Google Analytics.
  • Pingback: Giving Us The Space To Think Things Through… | Research Into Practice Group
  • Pingback: The Scholar-Practitioner Paradox for Academic Writing [@BreakDrink Episode No. 8] – techKNOWtools

I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering problems with your site. It appears as if some of the text in your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This could be a issue with my browser because I’ve had this happen before. Thank you

  • Pingback: Exhibition, abstracts and a letter from Prince Harry – EAHIL 2018
  • Pingback: How to write a great abstract | DEWNR-NRM-Science-Conference
  • Pingback: Abstracting and postering for conferences – ECRAG

Thank you Dr Kara for the great guide on creating killer abstracts for conferences. I am preparing to write an abstract for my first conference presentation and this has been educative and insightful. ‘ I choose to be ethical and not bore my audience’.

Thank you Judy for your kind comment. I wish you luck with your abstract and your presentation. Helen

  • Pingback: Tips to Write a Strong Abstract for a Conference Paper – Research Synergy Institute

Dear Dr. Helen Kara, Can there be an abstract for a topic presentation? I need to present a topic in a conference.I searched in the net and couldnt find anything like an abstract for a topic presentation but only found abstract for article presentation. Urgent.Help!

Dear Rekha Sthapit, I think it would be the same – but if in doubt, you could ask the conference organisers to clarify what they mean by ‘topic presentation’. Good luck!

  • Pingback: 2020: The Top Posts of the Decade | Impact of Social Sciences
  • Pingback: Capturing the abstract: what ARE conference abstracts and what are they FOR? (James Burford & Emily F. Henderson) – Conference Inference
  • Pingback: LSEUPR 2022 Conference | LSE Undergraduate Political Review
  • Pingback: New Occupational Therapy Research Conference: Integrating research into your role – Glasgow Caledonian University Occupational Therapy Blog

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Related Posts

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

‘It could be effective…’: Uncertainty and over-promotion in the abstracts of COVID-19 preprints

September 30th, 2021.

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

How to design an award-winning conference poster

May 11th, 2018.

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

Are scientific findings exaggerated? Study finds steady increase of superlatives in PubMed abstracts.

January 26th, 2016.

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

An antidote to futility: Why academics (and students) should take blogging / social media seriously

October 26th, 2015.

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

Visit our sister blog LSE Review of Books

Enago Academy

Important Tips for Writing an Effective Conference Abstract

' src=

Academic conferences are an important part of graduate work. They offer researchers an opportunity to present their work and network with other researchers. So, how does a researcher get invited to present their work at an academic conference ? The first step is to write and submit an abstract of your research paper .

The purpose of a conference abstract is to summarize the main points of your paper that you will present in the academic conference. In it, you need to convince conference organizers that you have something important and valuable to add to the conference. Therefore, it needs to be focused and clear in explaining your topic and the main points of research that you will share with the audience.

The Main Points of a Conference Abstract

There are some general formulas for creating a conference abstract .

Formula : topic + title + motivation + problem statement + approach + results + conclusions = conference abstract

Here are the main points that you need to include.

The title needs to grab people’s attention. Most importantly, it needs to state your topic clearly and develop interest. This will give organizers an idea of how your paper fits the focus of the conference.

Problem Statement

You should state the specific problem that you are trying to solve.

The abstract needs to illustrate the purpose of your work. This is the point that will help the conference organizer determine whether or not to include your paper in a conference session.

You have a problem before you: What approach did you take towards solving the problem? You can include how you organized this study and the research that you used.

Important Things to Know When Developing Your Abstract

Do your research on the conference.

You need to know the deadline for abstract submissions. And, you should submit your abstract as early as possible.

Do some research on the conference to see what the focus is and how your topic fits. This includes looking at the range of sessions that will be at the conference. This will help you see which specific session would be the best fit for your paper.

Select Your Keywords Carefully

Keywords play a vital role in increasing the discoverability of your article. Use the keywords that most appropriately reflect the content of your article.

Once you are clear on the topic of the conference, you can tailor your abstract to fit specific sessions.

An important part of keeping your focus is knowing the word limit for the abstract. Most word limits are around 250-300 words. So, be concise.

Use Example Abstracts as a Guide

Looking at examples of abstracts is always a big help. Look at general examples of abstracts and examples of abstracts in your field. Take notes to understand the main points that make an abstract effective.

Avoid Fillers and Jargon

As stated earlier, abstracts are supposed to be concise, yet informative. Avoid using words or phrases that do not add any specific value to your research. Keep the sentences short and crisp to convey just as much information as needed.

Edit with a Fresh Mind

After you write your abstract, step away from it. Then, look it over with a fresh mind. This will help you edit it to improve its effectiveness. In addition, you can also take the help of professional editing services that offer quick deliveries.

Remain Focused and Establish Your Ideas

The main point of an abstract is to catch the attention of the conference organizers. So, you need to be focused in developing the importance of your work. You want to establish the importance of your ideas in as little as 250-300 words.

Have you attended a conference as a student? What experiences do you have with conference abstracts? Please share your ideas in the comments. You can also visit our  Q&A forum for frequently asked questions related to different aspects of research writing, presenting, and publishing answered by our team that comprises subject-matter experts, eminent researchers, and publication experts.

' src=

best article to write a good abstract

Excellent guidelines for writing a good abstract.

Rate this article Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

Enago Academy's Most Popular Articles

How To Write A Lab Report | Traditional vs. AI-Assisted Approach

  • AI in Academia
  • Reporting Research

How to Improve Lab Report Writing: Best practices to follow with and without AI-assistance

Imagine you’re a scientist who just made a ground-breaking discovery! You want to share your…

Guide to Adhere Good Research Practice (FREE CHECKLIST)

Achieving Research Excellence: Checklist for good research practices

Academia is built on the foundation of trustworthy and high-quality research, supported by the pillars…

Concept Papers

  • Promoting Research

Concept Papers in Research: Deciphering the blueprint of brilliance

Concept papers hold significant importance as a precursor to a full-fledged research proposal in academia…

Writing Argumentative Essays

8 Effective Strategies to Write Argumentative Essays

In a bustling university town, there lived a student named Alex. Popular for creativity and…

abstract in research paper

  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Publishing Research

Role of an Abstract in Research Paper With Examples

Why does one write an abstract? What is so intriguing about writing an abstract in…

7 Steps of Writing an Excellent Academic Book Chapter

When Your Thesis Advisor Asks You to Quit

Virtual Defense: Top 5 Online Thesis Defense Tips

3 Critical Tips to Maximize Your Potential As an Academic Researcher

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

Sign-up to read more

Subscribe for free to get unrestricted access to all our resources on research writing and academic publishing including:

  • 2000+ blog articles
  • 50+ Webinars
  • 10+ Expert podcasts
  • 50+ Infographics
  • 10+ Checklists
  • Research Guides

We hate spam too. We promise to protect your privacy and never spam you.

I am looking for Editing/ Proofreading services for my manuscript Tentative date of next journal submission:

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

What should universities' stance be on AI tools in research and academic writing?

American Society for Microbiology

Tips for writing your first conference abstract.

July 17, 2019

Communicating your research is an important part of being a scientist. While submitting an abstract to a national conference can seem overwhelming, it is one of the best ways to communicate your science and get your research in front of a large audience.

Students interested in learning how to write an abstract should review these helpful tips that describe components of a competitive abstract . Also review the below suggestions from ASM education specialist, Dr. Christopher Skipwith, on best practices for preparing your first abstract for a scientific conference.

Read the Instructions

Although this may be obvious, many times, abstracts are rejected because they are missing key components. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the submission requirements before starting your abstract.

Understand the Target Audience

Who will be reading your abstract? Whether you are submitting to a field-specific or general conference, make sure the language you use can be easily understood by your target audience. Field-specific language may be appropriate for specialized conferences, however plain language must be used for conferences that cover a wide range of fields.

When using acronyms, remember to always provide the full phrase on the first mention accompanied by the acronym in parenthesis.

Clearly State the Hypothesis/Statement of Purpose

Not every project has a hypothesis, but all projects have a purpose. Figure out the research questions you are trying to answer and include the hypothesis or purpose of your research in the abstract. It is imperative to communicate your hypothesis/statement of purpose clearly so the reader can get a better context of your research goals and understand the importance of your research.

Tie Results and Conclusions Back to the Hypothesis/Statement of Purpose

After you have written your results and conclusions, go back to your hypothesis/statement of purpose. Do the results and conclusions clearly support your research purpose? What did the results say about your hypothesis? Make sure the links between these components are obvious to the reader.

Review, Then Review Again

Re-read your abstract against a copy of the abstract guidelines. As you go through, check off each guideline to ensure your abstract is complete. Remember that even if it has all the requirements, a poorly written abstract will not be accepted. Then have multiple people, including your Principal Investigator, read it over. Incorporate their feedback to ensure a strong submission.

The Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) provides poster and oral presentation opportunities for undergraduates, postbaccalaureates, and masters students.

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Communicating Science
  • Graduate Student
  • Professional Development
  • Scientific Writing

Author: Christopher Skipwith, Ph.D.

Christopher Skipwith, Ph.D.

ASM Microbe 2024 Registration Now Open!

Discover asm membership, get published in an asm journal.

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

How to Write a Conference Abstract

What is a conference abstract, why submit a conference abstract.

  • Finding Conferences
  • Abstract Preparation
  • How to Write a Scientific or Research Abstract
  • How to Write a Case Report Abstract
  • How to Write a Quality Improvement Project Abstract
  • Writing Tips
  • Reasons for Rejection

A conference abstract is a short proposal you write when you want to have a chance to share your research at a conference. For medical conferences, presenters usually either give a podium presentation (just talking in front of an audience about their research) or they present a poster. 

Here are some of the benefits of submitting a conference abstract:

  • It's a good addition to your CV and resume
  • It may be published in the conference proceedings
  • It could be a basis for future publication
  • Garners recognition from colleagues online and through social media
  • Helps you make connections through networking at the conference
  • Helps you meet potential employers at the conference
  • Next: Finding Conferences >>
  • Last Updated: Feb 14, 2024 8:15 AM
  • URL: https://guides.temple.edu/howtowriteaconferenceabstract

Temple University

University libraries.

See all library locations

  • Library Directory
  • Locations and Directions
  • Frequently Called Numbers

Twitter Icon

Need help? Email us at [email protected]

Department of History

  • Why Study History?
  • Undergraduate
  • Think and Do
  • Full Site Navigation
  • Degree Programs
  • Highlighted Courses
  • Student Resources
  • Undergraduate Advisors
  • History Club
  • Prospective Students
  • Public History PhD Students
  • Get Involved
  • Graduate Resources
  • Faculty Publications
  • Digital Humanities
  • Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
  • Brick By Brick Blog
  • History Faculty Interview Series

Tips for Writing Conference Paper Abstracts

So you want to answer the Call for Papers? This is a general guide for crafting stand-out conference paper abstracts. It includes recommendations for the content and presentation of the abstract, as well as examples of the best abstracts submitted to the 2012-2013 abstract selection committee for the ninth annual North Carolina State University graduate student history conference.

Typically, an abstract describes the topic you would like to present at the conference, highlighting your argument, evidence and contribution to the historical literature. It is usually restricted to 250-500 words. The word limit can be challenging: some graduate students do not fret over the short limit and hastily write and submit an abstract at the last minute, which often hurts their chances of being accepted; other students try to condense the Next Great American Novel into 250 words, which can be equally damning. Graduate students who approach the abstract early, plan accordingly, and carefully edit are the ones most often invited to present their research. For those who are intimidated by the project, don’t be – the abstract is a fairly standardized form of writing. Follow the basic guidelines below and avoid common pitfalls and you will greatly improve your abstract.

Diligently follow all abstract style and formatting guidelines. Most CFPs will specify page or word length, and perhaps some layout or style guidelines. Some CFPs, however, will list very specific restrictions, including font, font size, spacing, text justification, margins, how to present quotes, how to present authors and works, whether to include footnotes or not. Make sure that you strictly adhere to all guidelines, including submission instructions. If a CFP does not provide abstract style and formatting guidelines, it is generally appropriate to stay around 250 words – abstract committees read a lot of these things and do not look fondly on comparatively long abstracts. Make sure that you orient your abstract topic to address any specific CFP themes, time periods, methods, and/or buzzwords.

With a 250-500 word limit, write only what is necessary, avoiding wordiness. Use active voice and pay attention to excessive prepositional phrasing.

Plan your abstract carefully before writing it. A good abstract will address the following questions:  What is the historical question or problem? Contextualize your topic. What is your thesis/argument? It should be original. What is your evidence? State forthrightly that you are using primary source material. How does your paper fit into the historiography? What's going on in the field of study and how does your paper contribute to it? Why does it matter? We know the topic is important to you, why should it be important to the abstract selection committee?

You should be as specific as possible, avoiding overly broad or overreaching statements and claims. And that’s it: don’t get sidetracked by writing too much narrative or over explaining. Say what you need to say and nothing more.

Keep your audience in mind. How much background you give on a topic will depend on the conference. Is the conference a general humanities conference, a general graduate student history conference, or something more specific like a 1960s social revolutions conference? Your pitch should be suited to the specificity of the conference: the more specific the topic, the less broad background you need to give and vice versa.

Revise and edit your abstract to ensure that its final presentation is error free. The editing phase is also the best time to see your abstract as a whole and chip away at unnecessary words or phrases. The final draft should be linear and clear and it should read smoothly. If you are tripping over something while reading, the abstract selection committee will as well. Ask another graduate student to read your abstract to ensure its clarity or attend a Graduate Student Writing Group meeting.

Your language should be professional and your style should adhere to academic standards. Contractions may be appealing because of the word limits, but they should be avoided. If citation guidelines are not specifically given, it is appropriate to use the author’s name and title of work (in either italics or quotation marks) within the text rather than use footnotes or in-text citations.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Misusing questions.

While one question, if really good, may be posed in your abstract, you should avoid writing more than one (maybe two, if really really good). If you do pose a question or two, make sure that you either answer it or address why the question matters to your conference paper – unless you are posing an obvious rhetorical question, you should never just let a question hang there. Too many questions takes up too much space and leaves less room for you to develop your argument, methods, evidence, historiography, etc. Often times, posing too many questions leaves the abstract committee wondering if you are going to address one or all in your paper and if you even know the answers to them. Remember, you are not expected to have already written your conference paper, but you are expected to have done enough research that you are prepared to write about a specific topic that you can adequately cover in 15-20 minutes. Prove that you have done so.

Extraneous Jargon and Over-the-Top Phrasing

Language that helps you be as specific as possible in presenting your argument is great but don’t get your readers bogged down in jargon. They will be reading a lot of abstracts and will not want to wade through the unnecessary language. Keep it simple.

Repetition of Claims

When students repeat claims, they often don’t realize they are doing so. Sometimes this happens because students are not yet clear on their argument. Think about it some more and then write. Other times, students write carelessly and do not proofread. Make sure each sentence is unique and that it contributes to the flow of your abstract.

Writing too Broadly about a Topic

The abstract committee does not need to be reminded of the grand sweep of history in order to contextualize your topic. Place your topic specifically within the historiography.

The samples below represent the five highest scoring samples submitted to the selection committee for the ninth annual graduate student history conference, 2012-2013. Two of the samples below were subsequently selected for publication in the NC State Graduate Journal of History . Outstanding papers presented at the graduate student history conference are recommended for publication by panel commentators. Papers go through a peer review process before publication.

Sample 1: “Asserting Rights, Reclaiming Space: District of Marshpee v. Phineas Fish, 1833-1843”

From May of 1833 to March of 1834, the Mashpee Wampancag tribe of Cape Cod Massachusetts waged an aggressive campaign to gain political and religious autonomy from the state. In March of 1834, the Massachusetts legislature passed an act disbanding the white guardians appointed to conduct affairs for the Mashpee tribe and incorporated Mashpee as an Indian district. The Mashpee tribe's fight to restore self-government and control over land and resources represents a significant "recover of Native space." Equally significant is what happened once that space was recovered.

The topic of this paper addresses an understudied and essential period in the history of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. Despite a growing body of literature on the Mashpee, scholars largely neglect the period between 1834 and 1869. This paper looks as the Mashpee tribe's campaign to dismiss Harvard appointed minister Phineas Fish; the fight to regain the parsonage he occupied, its resources, and the community meetinghouse. This paper will argue the tribe asserted its power within the political and physical landscape to reclaim their meetinghouse and the parsonage land. Ultimately, this assertion contributed to shaping, strengthening, and remaking Mashpee community identity. This study examines legislative reports, petitions, letters, and legal documents to construct a narrative of Native agency in the antebellum period. [Note: This is part of my larger thesis project (in progress0 "Mashpee Wampanoag Government Formation and the Evolving Community Identity in the District of Marshpee, 1834-1849."]

Note: This paper, entitled " Testing Rights in Contested Space: The District of Marshpee versus Reverend Phineas Fish, 1833-1839 " was subsequently selected for publication in the NC State Graduate Journal of History .

Sample 2: “Private Paths to Public Places: Local Actors and the Creation of National Parklands in the American South”

This paper explores the connections between private individuals, government entities, and non-governmental organizations in the creation of parklands throughout the American South. While current historiography primarily credits the federal government with the creation of parks and protection of natural wonders, an investigation of parklands in the Southern United States reveals a reoccurring connection between private initiative and park creation. Secondary literature occasionally reflects the importance of local and non-government sources for the preservation of land, yet these works still emphasize the importance of a national bureaucracy setting the tone fore the parks movement. Some works, including Jacoby's Crimes Against Nature examine local actors, but focus on opposition to the imposition of new rules governing land in the face of some outside threat. In spite of scholarly recognition of non-government agencies and local initiative, the importance of local individuals in the creation of parklands remains and understudies aspect of American environmental history. Several examples in the American South raise concerns about the traditional narrative pitting governmental hegemony against local resistance. This paper argues for widespread, sustained interest in both nature preservation and in creating spaces for public recreation at the local level, and finds that the "private path to public parks" merits further investigation.

Note: This paper, entitled " Private Paths to Public Parks in the American South " was subsequently selected for publication in the NC State Graduate Journal of History .

Sample 3: Untitled

Previous generations of English Historians have produced a rich literature about the Levellers and their role in the English Civil Wars (1642-1649), primarily focused on the Putney Debates and their contributions to Anglophone legal and political thought. Typically, their push to extend the franchise and espousal of a theory of popular sovereignty has been central to accounts of Civil War radicalism. Other revisionist accounts depict them as a fragmented sect of millenarian radicals whose religious bent marginalized and possibility that they could make lasting contributions to English politics or society. This paper seeks to locate a Leveller theory of religious toleration, while explaining how their conception of political activity overlapped their religious ideas. Rather than focusing on John Lilburne, often taken as the public face of the Leveller movement, this paper will focus on the equally interesting and far more consistent thinker, William Walwyn. Surveying his personal background, published writings, popular involvement in the Leveller movement, and attacks launched by his critics, I hope to suggest that Walwyn's unique contribution to Anglophone political thought was his defense of religious pluralism in the face of violent sectarians who sought to wield control of the Church of England. Although the Levellers were ultimately suppressed, Walwyn's commitment to a tolerant society and a secular state should not be minimized but rather recognized as part of a larger debate about Church-State relations across early modern Europe. Ultimately this paper aims to contribute to the rich historiography of religious toleration and popular politics more broadly.

Sample 4: “Establishing a National Memory of Citizen Slaughter: A Case Study of the First Memory Site to Mass Murder in United States History - Edmond, Oklahoma, 1986-1989”

Since 1989, memory sites to events of mass murder have not only proliferated rapidly--they have become the normative expectation within American society. For the vast majority of American history, however, events commonly labeled as "mass murder" have resulted in no permanent memory sites and the sites of perpetration themselves have traditionally been either obliterated or rectified so that both the community and the nation could forget the tragedy and move on. This all changed on May 29, 1989 when the community of Edmond, Oklahoma officially dedicated the "Golden Ribbon" memorial to the thirteen people killed in the infamous "post office shooting" of 1986. In this paper I investigate the case of Edmond in order to understand why it became the first memory site of this kind in United States history. I argue that the small town of Edmond's unique political abnormalities on the day of the shooting, coupled with the near total community involvement established ideal conditions for the emergence of this unique type of memory site. I also conduct a historiography of the usage of "the ribbon" in order to illustrate how it has become the symbol of memories of violence and death in American society in the late 20th century. Lastly, I illustrate how the notable lack of communication between people involved in the Edmond and Oklahoma City cases after the 1995 Murrah Federal Building bombing--despite the close geographic and temporal proximity of these cases--illustrates this routinely isolated nature of commemorating mass murder and starkly renders the surprising number of aesthetic similarities that these memory sites share.

Sample 5: “Roman Urns and Sarcophagi: The Quest for Postmortem Identity during the Pax Romana”

"If you want to know who I am, the answer is ash and burnt embers;" thus read an anonymous early Roman's burial inscription. The Romans dealt with death in a variety of ways which incorporated a range of cultural conventions and beliefs--or non-beliefs as in the case of the "ash and embers." By the turn of the first century of this era, the Romans practiced cremation almost exclusively--as the laconic eloquence of the anonymous Roman also succinctly explained. Cremation vanished by the third century, replaced by the practice of the distant past by the fifth century. Burial first began to take hold in the western Roman Empire during the early second century, with the appearance of finely-crafted sarcophagi, but elites from the Roman world did not discuss the practices of cremation and burial in detail. Therefore archaeological evidence, primarily in form of burial vessels such as urns and sarcophagi represented the only place to turn to investigate the transitional to inhumation in the Roman world. This paper analyzed a small corpus of such vessels in order to identify symbolic elements which demarcate individual identities in death, comparing the patterns of these symbols to the fragments of text available relating to death in the Roman world. The analysis concluded that the transition to inhumantion was a movement caused by an increased desire on the part of Romans to preserve identity in death during and following the Pax Romana.

Selection of Papers

In general, the program committee evaluates the abstracts on the following basis:

  • Intervention in the Historiography: Does the abstract ask new historical questions? Does the proposal provide new insights on familiar topics?
  • Clarity of Presentation: Does the abstract clearly define the topic, scope, and methodologies?
  • Argument: Does the abstract clearly lay out the historical argument?
  • Style: Is the abstract free of grammatical errors, major spelling mistakes, or other problems that suggest the presenter may not be prepared to deliver a polished paper?

While the co-president of the HGSA organizes and facilitates the abstract selection committee each year and may change the selection process and methods, this rubric still represents a general guide for what a committee looks for when selecting conference participants. Selection is not a science, however: great abstracts are often not accepted because of panel design. It is unlikely, however, that poor abstracts will be selected to fill out panels.

Additional Resources

  • Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books
  • Guidelines for Writing Effective Abstracts for Conference Paper Presentations
  • How to Write a Paper or Conference Proposal Abstract

Writing an Abstract for a Conference

January 2, 2022 8 min read

January 2, 2022 | 8 min read

Writing Abstracts for a Conference

An "abstract" for an academic conference is a short summary of the scientific research you are involved in. While abstracts generally have a standard format and include more or less the same information and in a similar layout, each conference may have its unique requirements. It is, therefore, essential that you make yourself aware of that conference's specific requirements when planning to submit an abstract for a conference.

Abstracts are submitted to the conference organizers by or on behalf of one of the research authors. This person is called the "presenting author". The presenting author submits the abstract because they wish to present their work at the conference. The conference then has a committee that decides and selects the abstracts that most fit the topic and purpose of the conference. These chosen abstracts are then scheduled into the conference.

Presenting at a conference is a privilege; so typically, the presenter registration fees are not waived. On the contrary, many conferences will not review an abstract if the person who has submitted it is not registered to attend the conference or has not paid an abstract submission fee.

How to Write a Research Abstract for a Conference.

Conferences are essential academic activities pursued by researchers worldwide. They drive the advancement of knowledge through presentations and discussions among their participants. They also help researchers from different regions and backgrounds to connect, thereby enabling future research cooperation.

The Benefits of Presenting at an Academic Conference

Researchers who present their research at conferences open the door to multiple opportunities to advance their research. They receive direct feedback, new ideas, and advice from influential scientific community members and colleagues.

On both a personal and professional level, presenters receive attention from influential members of the community that can benefit them in the future. In addition to this, presenters gain the opportunity to build their reputation and to add colleagues, future employers, and future collaborators to their network.

Participating in an international conference can be expensive. To present at a conference, participants must have ways to fund their conference participation, including travel and accommodation expenses. Unfortunately, the conference organizers usually will not cover presenters' costs and will not even exempt presenters from the conference registration free. However, presenters can apply for grants from any academic institution they are affiliated with. Associations may also have funds to help members present in conferences. In addition, many organizations will generally fund conference participation for their employees.

To begin with, you need to prepare and submit an abstract of your research.

1. What is a Conference Abstract?

abstract submission form

As mentioned above, a conference abstract is a limited-length outline of an oral presentation or poster that you intend to present at a conference.

A conference abstract includes:

Article abstract vs. conference abstract.

Article abstracts are submitted alongside the full article or paper and are therefore evaluated alongside the full paper. In the case of academic journals, if the abstract is not perfect, but the editors liked the article, they can request that the author fix the abstract. However, this is not the case with a conference; a conference abstract is submitted by itself and judged by itself.

On the other hand, many conferences will accept poor abstracts because they need to fill slots to make their conference bigger. In a conference, the quality of your abstract as evaluated by the organizer will affect the type of presentation (live or poster) and the scheduling of the presentation provided to you.

2. Processing and Reviewing Abstracts in Conferences.

Conference Poster

Conference abstracts are processed and reviewed in several steps. These are listed below:

  • Conference name.
  • Conference date and location.
  • Conference topics.
  • Abstract submission guidelines.
  • Abstract submission deadlines.
  • Abstract processing fees.
  • Potential speakers submit their abstracts.
  • The conference secretariat receives the abstracts. They then ensure the abstract is valid, complete, and follows the guidelines

The secretariat is responsible for assigning the abstract for review by one or more reviewers. The secretariat or the Abstract Management System will select the reviewers based on the abstract topic and rules defined by the conference organizers and the conference chairperson.

In small conferences, the chairperson will review all the abstracts and decide how to include them in the conference agenda.

In other conferences, a group of reviewers (known as the scientific committee) will review and give a grade to each abstract. Each reviewer will grade each abstract independently. Depending on the specific conference, each reviewer may also suggest filing the abstract under a different conference topic, recommend the presentation type (poster or oral), or ask the author to revise the abstract (revise and resubmit).

There are two main types of review processes:

  • After all reviewers complete their review, the abstract management system will calculate the average score of each abstract. The chairperson will then make the final decision regarding the abstracts.
  • The secretariat will communicate this decision to the abstract submitters and will guide them about the next steps they should take.
  • The conference chairperson, along with the organizers, will schedule the accepted abstracts to a conference session.

Abstract review criteria.

Most conferences aks reviewers to review and grade abstracts based on similar criteria.

Common abstract grading factors:

  • Relevance of the abstract to the conference.
  • Originality.
  • Significance.
  • Adherence to abstract submission guidelines.

Conference organizers may have additional goals, so they may consider additional factors.

Example of additional abstract selection factors:

  • Encouraging young researchers
  • Ethnic diversity
  • Author reputation

3. Challenges in Writing a Conference Abstract.

Writing a conference abstract is challenging since it is a limited-length text that needs to appeal to all the different groups of people involved in the conference. In addition, each group has somewhat other interests.

The main groups are the conference organizers, reviewers, and conference attendees. Organizers decide if the abstract is good enough before assigning it to the reviewers, and after the abstract is accepted, they choose when to schedule it. Reviewers score the abstract based on conference criteria such as fitting the conference topics and scientific significance. Attendees need to have an interest in attending the presentation after reading the abstract.

4. Getting Ready to Write the Abstract.

Before writing your abstract, check if a preliminary conference agenda has been published. There may be a list of sessions that you can aim to present and topics that get more time on the agenda.

How many users enter the website, where they are from, the browser they use, how many pages they visit, the time they spend on each page, and more.

Remember to check the conference's abstract submissions guidelines.

Things to note:

  • Submission deadlines.
  • Topic list.
  • Abstract length limit.
  • Are tables and figures permitted?
  • Review criteria.

Check for scientific committee members and chairpersons.

Search Abstract Examples

Check abstracts submitted to the conference over the last years can help get an idea of what is required in the abstract.

If previous year abstracts are not available online, ask your colleges if they have a copy of the conference abstracts book from previous years. Attempt to figure out what made each one work.

5. Writing the Abstract Title.

The title is one sentence that describes your research and presentation. It is probably the most important sentence in your abstract because:

  • It is the first impression of people reviewing your abstract.
  • It will appear in the conference agenda with a possible link to your abstract.
  • More people will only read the title than read the abstract or attend the presentation.
  • People remember and recite your article by its title.

A good title is a clear, easily understood, and attention-grabbing sentence that describes your research and highlights its importance. A good title attracts attendees to read the full abstract or attend the oral presentation.

To make your title clear, straightforward, and short:

  • Keep it under 14 words.
  • Avoid using obvious words such as "Research on", "Results of ", "Investigation", "Role of".
  • Remove unnecessary words such as "the".
  • Remove words that give no information to the readers.
  • Avoid special symbols and units.
  • Avoid complicated words, uncommon abbreviations, and too much jargon.

Writing the abstract title step by step

  • Explain what your research and presentation are about in two or three sentences. Do not reveal the conclusions.
  • Shorten and combine the sentences into one title.
  • Remove unnecessary words.
  • Review and refine the title.
  • Make sure that it is informative, clear, and interesting.

6. Writing the Abstract Body.

The abstract body is the main part of the abstract and typically has 200 to 500 words.

General tips:

  • Concentrate on the research Objective, Methods, Results, and Consultation (OMRC).
  • Keep sentences brief and concise.
  • References are not required in the abstract.
  • Keep background information to a minimum.
  • Do extensively referring to other works.
  • Do not define terms.
  • Avoid asking questions and not answering them.
  • Make sure your abstract is error-free before submitting it.

An abstract body typically has four parts abbreviated as OMRC.

Abstract body parts (OMRC):

  • Conclusions

Let us have a look at the main parts of the abstract:

Part 1 - Objective and Purpose

This part is typically two to four sentences and covers: background information, the reason for doing the research, the problems or questions the research aims to solve, and the overall topic of the research. It also outlines why your research is important and how difficult it is.

Typically, this part of the body will end with a sentence that describes the purpose of the research. For example, "The purpose of this study was to _____."

Examples of abstract purpose:

  • Examining a new topic. Remember to outline why you are examining this new topic.
  • Filling a gap in previous research.
  • Applying new methods to take a fresh look at existing ideas or data.
  • Resolving a dispute within the literature.

Part 2 - Methods

When doing the research, what research methods were used? How extensive was the investigation? Remember to explain who the participants are, what the researchers measured, and what tools they used. Was the research empirical or theoretical? What sources of information did the research rely on?

This section should not include what the researchers expected to find.

Part 3 - Results

This section describes the research findings.

In the case that the research does not have results yet, you should describe the preliminary data or results with some statistical work. If you expect to have results before the conference, the abstract can include a note that a finalized version of the abstract will be updated at a later date before the conference.

Part 4 - Conclusion

This section explains the meaning of the findings, the importance of the findings, and their implications.

An abstract that does not include a conclusion or result section is called a descriptive abstract. If the abstract has a conclusion, it is called an informative abstract.

Participating in an international academic conference potentially brings multiple opportunities. Presenting at a conference adds a significant boost to these opportunities and can also help fund participation. Writing a good abstract is key to making this possible.

Please share your tips with us on Twitter. Did you find any part of this article helpful? Please share it with your colleagues and friends.

Review Management

Event Websites

Event Professionals

How to Write a  Presentation Abstract for a Tech Conference logo

How to Write a Presentation Abstract for a Tech Conference

on December 22, 2015

I Hate Writing Abstracts.

I love writing presentations. I like outlining them, I like writing the demos, putting the slides together. I even like reconsidering everything, backing up, scrapping it, and starting from a new approach!

But I hate writing abstracts. It’s just tough to capture your vision in the format a conference organizer wants. And often, if I’m writing the abstract before the presentation is done, I’m wary about possibly describing something that I’ll want to change later.

writers_block

I’ve Developed a Formula to Cope With It

Staring at a blank piece of paper (or a blank sheet in the Mou Markdown editor , in my case), is the toughest part. As I was writing my abstracts, I realized that I’ve developed a formula that gets me immediately past that blank paper and into the abstract.

The biggest part of the secret is that I don’t write the title or the first sentence of the abstract first. For whatever reason, that’s incredibly hard.

If You Hate Writing Abstracts (Or Just Don’t Know Where to Start), Here’s My Formula

  • Target audience : Write a short note describing your target audience. I write for SQL Server conferences, so I think about their job role and how much experience they have. This step is really important because it orients your  whole session, not just the abstract
  • Outline : Write a brief outline of the topics that you’ll cover. Some conference organizers want to see this, but this is largely for yourself. What concepts will you teach the audience you described? Look at it critically and make sure you haven’t bitten off more than you can choose.
  • What You’ll Learn : Next write a couple of sentences about what people will learn. This will end up being the heart of your abstract, and it’s what people really want to know about whether or not they should be in your session. Target your “What you will learn” sentences to the audience you described, and plug in the concepts from your outline. Example pattern: “In this session, you will learn how to ____, ___, and ___.”
  • Opener : Next add an opening statement that calls to the target audience. An example: “Every developer needs to know how to ____.” Or “You’re a SQL Server DBA with 3 years of experience, but ___ still mystifies you.”
  • Personalize (optional):  personalize the abstract with a reference to your name. I personally think that the abstract sounds just plain friendlier when it’s written this way: “In this session, Kendra will show you why…”  It lets the audience know they’ve got a person there, not a faceless robot! However, if you’re submitting to a conference that does blind review (such as the SQLPASS Summit ), this may not win you any friends. Check with the conference organizers if you’re not sure.
  • Title!  Whee, you’re almost done! At this point it starts getting kinda fun. Brainstorm your title. I always write a few iterations, some more playful than others, and then pick my favorite.
  • Review it Yourself: Check your abstract for length. Possibly add a “call to action” closing sentence like, “If you’re a developer with ___ years of experience, this session is for you.” But if your abstract has already called clearly to your audience, you may not need this.
  • Get Feedback: Ask a few folks to review title and abstract for you, and tweak based on their feedback.

Step 8 is incredibly valuable, no matter where you are in the process. Try to get feedback from a variety of people, including some who have spoken at the conference(s) you’re planning to submit to. They can help guide you about style and advice specific to those events.

Most Important: Keep on Submitting

Your abstracts may not be accepted the first time you submit. That doesn’t mean they are bad abstracts. It just means you weren’t selected that time.

The most important thing is to not take it personally. Sure, tweak your abstract and session the next time you submit. But this is just because it’s always best to make sure the abstract fits what you’re doing at that point in time and is fresh and relevant to you.

Every conference is an opportunity to share and teach. Have fun rising to it!

Posts or Comics for Your Inbox?

Copyright (c) 2024, Catalyze SQL, LLC; all rights reserved. Content policy: Short excerpts of blog posts (3 sentences) may be republished, but longer excerpts and artwork cannot be shared without explicit permission.

  • Campus Calendars
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Majors & Minors
  • News & Events
  • IT Help Desk
  • Mobile Printing
  • Directory (Faculty & Staff)
  • Offices & Departments
  • Map of the Campus
  • Visitor Parking
  • University Police

Salisbury University students on campus

Writing Abstracts for a Conference Submission

Identify a conference that fits your research area and topic. Check the deadlines, criteria for submission and acceptance, location, and funding avenues. Once you have decided on an appropriate conference, prepare your research to meet the submission criteria. For example, your conference might ask you to submit an abstract and provide specific guidelines explaining what the criteria for a successful abstract should be in order for it to be accepted at that conference. The next section below will focus on explaining the function and form of an abstract: What is an abstract, how to write an abstract. It will then provide you with NCUR guidelines for a successful abstract and a range of abstract examples from SU students from different majors.

What is an Abstract

What is an Abstract?

  • In general, an abstract tells the reader what the research contains. Thus a good abstract should include a clear and brief statement on the purpose of the research, the methods employed, the sample, findings or results, conclusions, and recommendations/ or significance for your field.
  • Thus a good abstract is a brief summary (for example, NCUR gives a word limit of 300 words) that introduces the reader to your research study and all its key elements.

Overview: How to Write an Abstract

  • After completing your research report, start preparing your abstract. Review your report for its main elements: purpose, research questions, methods, findings or results, conclusions or discussion, and recommendations. Limitations and significance can be included if you have space.
  • Now start to write a rough draft of your abstract. It may be over the word limit at this stage. Once you have a rough draft down, go back and edit your abstract for organization, coherence, focus, flow, redundancy, and typos.
  • Your final version of the abstract should meet all the required word count and compositional criteria, be tightly edited, clear and focused, and without any grammatical errors.
  • A good abstract should ultimately reflect all the key elements of your study for the reader and give them a good idea of what you wanted to do, how you did it, what you found, and its significance.

Students submitting NCUR abstracts should:

  • Complete **all** required fields on the online submission form
  • Submit only one abstract per presentation (the first author/primary presenter can submit this on all co-authors’ behalf).
  • Upon submitting, check that you receive a confirmation email from [email protected] . Check that it has not gone to spam.

NCUR Abstracts Guidelines:

  • Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project.
  • Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry.
  • Provide a brief description of the research methodology.
  • State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed.
  • Include text only (no images or graphics)
  • Be well-written and well-organized. Check for typos—proof-read!

Other formatting guidelines:

  • References are allowed within abstracts, but not required.
  • Double-check your title: This will appear on the program exactly as you type it.
  • Likewise, check the spelling for the names of all authors and co-authors (first name, middle name, last name).
  • The form will not process all formatting and special characters (e.g., scientific symbols). Use plain text format for your abstract.
  • There is space in the form to include a link to online documentation, formulas, images, music files, etc. in support of your submission. You may use this space to provide a link to a location to view your abstract in its original form.
  • It’s a good idea to work on your abstract with your mentor’s support on a word document. Once it is ready to submit, you can copy and paste it on the online form. Don’t wait till the last minute to do so.
  • Abstracts are usually 200-300 words long with no paragraph breaks.  MAXIMUM LENGTH = 300 WORDS!

Have the following information available when submitting your abstract:

  • Name and e-mail address for each faculty mentor and co-author

Jessica Clark, PhD and Chrys Egan, PhD Co-Directors, Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Email: [email protected] Phone number: 410-677-0083

  • Presentation type: oral, poster, visual arts, or performing arts
  • Field of study.

Sample NCUR Poster and Oral Abstracts

Robert R. Audley, Amelia Willoughby (Dr. Lucy Morrison), Political Science Department, Salisbury University, 1101 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801

From a rally at our nation’s capital, to the words of world leaders, to the thoughts of a survivor, our documentary about genocide in Sudan grew out of a class investigating genocide as a social, political, and humanitarian topic. Are we world citizens or individualists? Our documentary shows these aspects as intrinsically intertwined. Through speeches and interviews, we explore the conflicting arguments of survivors simply asking for help, the pitfalls of political promises not kept, and those in academia asking “What can we really do?” Our documentary entertains arguments in favor of both intervention and isolationism and supports these arguments with interviews from those closest to the conflict, including a survivor from Darfur, nationally known activists, and footage of our President and Secretary of State. President Barack Obama is shown advocating for a cautious approach to the genocide in Darfur, and Hilary Clinton is shown making her first serious speech regarding the issue. Our documentary portrays the limitations of awareness campaigns, political speeches, and academic debates. These only go so far and more tangible outreach must be undertaken to make real change happen. In our presentation, we will outline how we used a class about past genocides as a springboard for composing a documentary that captures the conversation surrounding the current struggle in Darfur, and gives voice to those most closely related to it. We will elaborate on the technical trials, such as editing and compiling footage with Avid software, along with the educational process of contacting interviewees on such a controversial topic, and the ways in which this process shaped our final product.

Velora A. Branch, Matthew J. Copeland, (Chasta L. Parker), Salisbury University, Department of Chemistry, Salisbury, Maryland 21801

Adiponectin (Acrp30) is a protein hormone released from adipocytes that has been shown to have anti-proliferative effects on obesity related cancer cells. Three cellular receptors from the progestin and AdipoQ Receptor (PAQR) family have been identified that can actively bind Acrp30: AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, located on the cell membrane; and AdipoR3 in the Golgi body. Prior research has indicated that AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 are involved in the anti-proliferative effect but there has been minimal research on AdipoR3 (PAQR3). The production of AdipoR3 mRNA in HT-29 human colorectal cancer cells in the presence or absence of Acrp30 was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The difference in the abundance of AdipoR3 mRNA can be related to a change in demand for the receptor by the cell, signifying its importance. The mRNA of the cell was extracted, converted to cDNA, and evaluated by qRT-PCR using fluorescent probe primers that emit light in the presence of UV-Vis radiation. The quantity of mRNA originally present is directly related to the intensity of emission. Following this study, a knockdown of AdipoR3 in the cell will be performed using RNA silencing techniques after which the anti-proliferative effect of Acrp30 on HT-29 cells will be reanalyzed. Simultaneously, the growth rate of human cancer cells will be assayed in the presence and absence Acrp30. Preliminary results confirm the anti-proliferative nature of Acrp30 and also indicate altered AdipoR3 mRNA abundance in adiponectin treated colorectal cancer cells. This work was supported by the Henson School of Science, the department of chemistry at Salisbury University as well as the Cort Scholarship.

Kori L. Asbury, Ryan J. Maluski, (Jonathan Munemo), Economics Department, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD 21801

The gravity equation, as derived from the physics gravity equation, has been used to explain the value of international economic trade. Additionally, the Index of Intra-Industry Trade explains how much one country can import the same good that it is exporting under perfect competition. Our goal is to test the credibility and functionality of this economic equation, and determine its ability to explain the value and importance of international economic trade. Using historical United States international trade data, we compiled 132 countries that the United States has traded with over a period of the past twenty six years. From this data we were able to calculate the natural log of B, using the gravity term and trade. The natural log of B signifies the magnitude of the relationship between the variables of the gravity equation, including Gross Domestic Product and distance. It has been found that the larger the country’s Gross Domestic Product, or the shorter the distance between two counties, the stronger the trade relationship will be. This in turn, will cause more trade between two countries. From our research, we have found a strong positive correlation in the calculation of the gravity equation, in dealing with the relationship between overall trade relative to distance and Gross Domestic Product. In terms of the Index of Intra-Industry Trade, Gross Domestic Product and distance have little influence on the intra-industry trade value.

Brent A. Alogna (Miguel Mitchell) Department of Chemistry, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD 21801

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium responsible for the disease tuberculosis. One class of drugs that show antitubercular properties are promazine-based compounds, which inhibit the type II NADH-menaquinone dehydrogenase (ndh-2) enzyme in the electron transport chain of M. tuberculosis. A triflupromazine derivative with a 4-chlorobenzyl substituent on the non-2-trifluoromethyl phenothiazine base nitrogen has shown the most potency against M. tuberculosis, but it produces a compound with a permanent positive charge, which decreases the oral bioavailability of the compound. In an attempt to increase the oral bioavailability of the drug, while maintaining the antitubercular potency, a demethylated N-4-chlorobenzyl triflupromazine derivative was synthesized. Triflupromazine was demethylated with 1-chloroethyl chloroformate and 1,2-dichloroethane, followed by methanolysis, which produced the desired product in 68-92% yield (3 trials), structure confirmed by its 1H-NMR spectrum. The intermediate of the demethylation process, formed before methanolysis, was also isolated and its structure was tentatively determined by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. Direct alkylation of demethylated triflupromazine with 4-chlorobenzyl chloride resulted in a demethylated N-4-chlorobenzyl triflupromazine derivative, synthesized with yields of 40.9% and 71.3% respectively. Its structure was confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and GC-MS. In order to try and make the demethylation process more environmentally friendly, water was substituted for methanol in the demethylation procedure. We were pleased to discover that the same demethylation product was obtained in 52.1% yield. In vitro and in vivo MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) assays of our final compound against M. tuberculosis will be performed at U. Illinois-Chicago's Institute for Tuberculosis Research. The associated bacteriological studies on the demethylated N-4-chlorobenzyl triflupromazine compound in mice should show an increase in the oral bioavailability of the drug, with the same or higher antitubercular potency.

Rebecca Abelman, Diane Davis, Medical Laboratory Science, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD 21801

Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms are becoming an increasingly important medical issue in the 21st century. With the elevated use of antibiotics and better systems of delivering health care, these bacteria have mutated to survive. The nature of these antibiotic-resistant organisms makes them dangerous not only for the public, but also for the health care workers that come in contact with them on a regular basis. The impact of these bacteria on patient health and safety has been extensively researched, but these studies tend to be patient-focused and often exclude health care workers who come in contact with the microbes daily. They are at high risk from not only patients but also from contaminated objects and surfaces known as fomites. Medical laboratory scientists (MLS) face an unusually high risk due to the amplified organism loads in specimens in microbiology laboratories. Although the increased loads allow for better identification, testing, and manipulation of the organism, they also expose the MLS to very concentrated amounts of hazardous microbes. This inspired me to research Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in relation to laboratories. I determined the survival rate of VRE broth cultures on common laboratory surfaces, which gave me an indication of the risks associated with unnoticed spills. The four surfaces I tested were floor tiles, glass, melamine countertops, and polyester/cotton laboratory coats. Broth inoculated with a standard amount of CFUs (colony forming units) of Enterococcus faecium was placed on the surfaces and the number of organisms surviving on each surface was checked at timed intervals. BBL CHROMagar® plates for VRE were used to test for the VRE on the fomites. Measuring the survival rate of this organism will contribute to the growing knowledge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and aid in the protection of laboratory workers and the public alike.

Stacie L. Manger Dr. Haven Simmons Communications Salisbury University 1101 Camden Ave Salisbury, MD 21801

While significant research is devoted to traditional American sports such as baseball, football and basketball, soccer is largely an afterthought. Soccer is arguably the most popular sport globally with millions of ardent followers, but it struggles to compete in the United States. This paper examines the marketing, public relations and crisis communication strategies of professional soccer in America, where Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, NASCAR, professional golf and tennis attract more fans and media attention. The MLS (Major League Soccer League) must be innovative and aggressive to survive despite the popularity of American youth soccer. The league has recruited expensive foreign stars such as David Beckham, Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, for example, but salary disparities remain problematic compared to other professional sports. Beckham's $6.5 annual salary is compared to players making less than six figures. Critics argue the MLS Cup at RFK Stadium in November arrived at a critical juncture for the league. They also wonder whether TV ratings and media coverage have improved enough to bolster a league that is expanding to 18 teams in the next five years. Most people consider the increasing number of team owners in the MLS a positive development. In addition, more stadiums catering exclusively to soccer have been constructed. The researcher weighs these critical factors according to marketing, public relations and crisis management tactics employed by the league, concluding with recommendations for enhancing its reputation and popularity against daunting odds.

Amanda J. Baker, (Dr. Gina Bloodworth), Department of Geography and Geosciences, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD 21801

Monitoring and improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay has been a rising concern over the past 40 years. It has been proven that storm water run-off frequently contains unfiltered pollutants, which have devastating effects on water quality and consequently the quality of life of organisms dependent upon that water. Fluctuations in population and the rapid urban and suburban development occurring in the Chesapeake Bay region from the 1970s to the present day involve the introduction of more impervious surfaces to this watershed basin, increasing the amount of run-off. Best Management Practices (BMPs) for monitoring and controlling storm water have evolved over the decades, for a variety of reasons. This paper will map and examine the connection between rapid urbanization and levels of storm water run-off; from this investigation, a typology of BMPs implemented in the Chesapeake Bay watershed basin will be generated. Finally, the research seeks patterns in the underlying implications of the availability and popularity of select BMPs.

Stephen Abresch, Lucy Morrison, Department of Philosophy, Salisbury University, 1011 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, Md, 21804

This work is an investigation into the experience of repulsion and its greater meaning in better understanding the way in which we are. The intimate relationship between a realization of imperfection and an experience of repulsion is focused on as revealing the true roots of repulsion: the clash of the belief of perfection and the inherent imperfection of human beings. The wisdom that no accurate knowledge of the world is gained before accurate self-knowledge is central to this work, and no self-knowledge is complete lest it understand that evil exists not only in the world, but within us as well. In essence, this paper seeks to understand not only the experience of repulsion in conjunction with an experience of imperfection (whether it be personality flaws, addiction, even physical imperfection) but also why we are so averse to accepting our imperfection in the first place. In investigating this topic I will be examining the experience of Exile and the implications it has for a dialogue on repulsion and taking a look at the modern day leper, the AIDS victim. In addition to these I will be using the works of St. John of the Cross, Richard Rorty, Carl Jung, Elie Wiesel, Rebalye and Jerome Miller to better explicate the relationship between repulsion and human revelation.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

  • Knowledge Base
  • Dissertation
  • How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples

How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples

Published on February 28, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 18, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

How to Write an Abstract

An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a thesis ,  dissertation or research paper ). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers know exactly what your paper is about.

Although the structure may vary slightly depending on your discipline, your abstract should describe the purpose of your work, the methods you’ve used, and the conclusions you’ve drawn.

One common way to structure your abstract is to use the IMRaD structure. This stands for:

  • Introduction

Abstracts are usually around 100–300 words, but there’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check the relevant requirements.

In a dissertation or thesis , include the abstract on a separate page, after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

upload-your-document-ai-proofreader

Table of contents

Abstract example, when to write an abstract, step 1: introduction, step 2: methods, step 3: results, step 4: discussion, tips for writing an abstract, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about abstracts.

Hover over the different parts of the abstract to see how it is constructed.

This paper examines the role of silent movies as a mode of shared experience in the US during the early twentieth century. At this time, high immigration rates resulted in a significant percentage of non-English-speaking citizens. These immigrants faced numerous economic and social obstacles, including exclusion from public entertainment and modes of discourse (newspapers, theater, radio).

Incorporating evidence from reviews, personal correspondence, and diaries, this study demonstrates that silent films were an affordable and inclusive source of entertainment. It argues for the accessible economic and representational nature of early cinema. These concerns are particularly evident in the low price of admission and in the democratic nature of the actors’ exaggerated gestures, which allowed the plots and action to be easily grasped by a diverse audience despite language barriers.

Keywords: silent movies, immigration, public discourse, entertainment, early cinema, language barriers.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

You will almost always have to include an abstract when:

  • Completing a thesis or dissertation
  • Submitting a research paper to an academic journal
  • Writing a book or research proposal
  • Applying for research grants

It’s easiest to write your abstract last, right before the proofreading stage, because it’s a summary of the work you’ve already done. Your abstract should:

  • Be a self-contained text, not an excerpt from your paper
  • Be fully understandable on its own
  • Reflect the structure of your larger work

Start by clearly defining the purpose of your research. What practical or theoretical problem does the research respond to, or what research question did you aim to answer?

You can include some brief context on the social or academic relevance of your dissertation topic , but don’t go into detailed background information. If your abstract uses specialized terms that would be unfamiliar to the average academic reader or that have various different meanings, give a concise definition.

After identifying the problem, state the objective of your research. Use verbs like “investigate,” “test,” “analyze,” or “evaluate” to describe exactly what you set out to do.

This part of the abstract can be written in the present or past simple tense  but should never refer to the future, as the research is already complete.

  • This study will investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.
  • This study investigates the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.

Next, indicate the research methods that you used to answer your question. This part should be a straightforward description of what you did in one or two sentences. It is usually written in the past simple tense, as it refers to completed actions.

  • Structured interviews will be conducted with 25 participants.
  • Structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants.

Don’t evaluate validity or obstacles here — the goal is not to give an account of the methodology’s strengths and weaknesses, but to give the reader a quick insight into the overall approach and procedures you used.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

  • Academic style
  • Vague sentences
  • Style consistency

See an example

writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

Next, summarize the main research results . This part of the abstract can be in the present or past simple tense.

  • Our analysis has shown a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
  • Our analysis shows a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
  • Our analysis showed a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.

Depending on how long and complex your research is, you may not be able to include all results here. Try to highlight only the most important findings that will allow the reader to understand your conclusions.

Finally, you should discuss the main conclusions of your research : what is your answer to the problem or question? The reader should finish with a clear understanding of the central point that your research has proved or argued. Conclusions are usually written in the present simple tense.

  • We concluded that coffee consumption increases productivity.
  • We conclude that coffee consumption increases productivity.

If there are important limitations to your research (for example, related to your sample size or methods), you should mention them briefly in the abstract. This allows the reader to accurately assess the credibility and generalizability of your research.

If your aim was to solve a practical problem, your discussion might include recommendations for implementation. If relevant, you can briefly make suggestions for further research.

If your paper will be published, you might have to add a list of keywords at the end of the abstract. These keywords should reference the most important elements of the research to help potential readers find your paper during their own literature searches.

Be aware that some publication manuals, such as APA Style , have specific formatting requirements for these keywords.

It can be a real challenge to condense your whole work into just a couple of hundred words, but the abstract will be the first (and sometimes only) part that people read, so it’s important to get it right. These strategies can help you get started.

Read other abstracts

The best way to learn the conventions of writing an abstract in your discipline is to read other people’s. You probably already read lots of journal article abstracts while conducting your literature review —try using them as a framework for structure and style.

You can also find lots of dissertation abstract examples in thesis and dissertation databases .

Reverse outline

Not all abstracts will contain precisely the same elements. For longer works, you can write your abstract through a process of reverse outlining.

For each chapter or section, list keywords and draft one to two sentences that summarize the central point or argument. This will give you a framework of your abstract’s structure. Next, revise the sentences to make connections and show how the argument develops.

Write clearly and concisely

A good abstract is short but impactful, so make sure every word counts. Each sentence should clearly communicate one main point.

To keep your abstract or summary short and clear:

  • Avoid passive sentences: Passive constructions are often unnecessarily long. You can easily make them shorter and clearer by using the active voice.
  • Avoid long sentences: Substitute longer expressions for concise expressions or single words (e.g., “In order to” for “To”).
  • Avoid obscure jargon: The abstract should be understandable to readers who are not familiar with your topic.
  • Avoid repetition and filler words: Replace nouns with pronouns when possible and eliminate unnecessary words.
  • Avoid detailed descriptions: An abstract is not expected to provide detailed definitions, background information, or discussions of other scholars’ work. Instead, include this information in the body of your thesis or paper.

If you’re struggling to edit down to the required length, you can get help from expert editors with Scribbr’s professional proofreading services or use the paraphrasing tool .

Check your formatting

If you are writing a thesis or dissertation or submitting to a journal, there are often specific formatting requirements for the abstract—make sure to check the guidelines and format your work correctly. For APA research papers you can follow the APA abstract format .

Checklist: Abstract

The word count is within the required length, or a maximum of one page.

The abstract appears after the title page and acknowledgements and before the table of contents .

I have clearly stated my research problem and objectives.

I have briefly described my methodology .

I have summarized the most important results .

I have stated my main conclusions .

I have mentioned any important limitations and recommendations.

The abstract can be understood by someone without prior knowledge of the topic.

You've written a great abstract! Use the other checklists to continue improving your thesis or dissertation.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

  • Anchoring bias
  • Halo effect
  • The Baader–Meinhof phenomenon
  • The placebo effect
  • Nonresponse bias
  • Deep learning
  • Generative AI
  • Machine learning
  • Reinforcement learning
  • Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

  • Grammar Checker
  • Paraphrasing Tool
  • Text Summarizer
  • AI Detector
  • Plagiarism Checker
  • Citation Generator

An abstract is a concise summary of an academic text (such as a journal article or dissertation ). It serves two main purposes:

  • To help potential readers determine the relevance of your paper for their own research.
  • To communicate your key findings to those who don’t have time to read the whole paper.

Abstracts are often indexed along with keywords on academic databases, so they make your work more easily findable. Since the abstract is the first thing any reader sees, it’s important that it clearly and accurately summarizes the contents of your paper.

An abstract for a thesis or dissertation is usually around 200–300 words. There’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check your university’s requirements.

The abstract is the very last thing you write. You should only write it after your research is complete, so that you can accurately summarize the entirety of your thesis , dissertation or research paper .

Avoid citing sources in your abstract . There are two reasons for this:

  • The abstract should focus on your original research, not on the work of others.
  • The abstract should be self-contained and fully understandable without reference to other sources.

There are some circumstances where you might need to mention other sources in an abstract: for example, if your research responds directly to another study or focuses on the work of a single theorist. In general, though, don’t include citations unless absolutely necessary.

The abstract appears on its own page in the thesis or dissertation , after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, July 18). How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/abstract/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write a thesis or dissertation introduction, shorten your abstract or summary, how to write a literature review | guide, examples, & templates, what is your plagiarism score.

IMAGES

  1. Writing a Conference Abstract (Cheat Sheet)

    writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

  2. abstract example mla

    writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

  3. abstract example for lab report

    writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

  4. how to write a good abstract for conference presentation

    writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

  5. An Example Abstract for the International Conference on Electron

    writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

  6. Writing abstracts for conference papers: Term Paper

    writing an abstract for a conference presentation examples

VIDEO

  1. Academic Writing Abstract/Conference paper/ Chapter/Book writing Part 1

  2. Stellar Abstract to Boost your Conference Paper Acceptance Rate!

  3. ABSTRACT WRITING TIPS FOR National Seminar on Emerging Trends in Applied Chemical Sciences

  4. What to Write in An Abstract? #academicwriting #scientificwriting #phd #research

  5. Abstract Algebra # Examples Group Theory # class 08

  6. Abstract Algebra # Examples of Group # Class 11

COMMENTS

  1. PDF Writing an Abstract for a Conference Presentation

    What is an Abstract? •"The abstract is a brief, clear summary of the information in your presentation. A well-prepared abstract enables readers to identify the basic content quickly and accurately, to determine its relevance to their interests or purpose and then to decide whether they want to listen to the presentation in its entirety."

  2. The Writing Center

    These abstracts are often the shortened version of the paper abstract; for example, an IMRaD abstract with max word count of 500 words will need to be shortened to fit a smaller max count, usually between 250-350 depending on the conference. Some conferences may also ask for a 100-word summary to supplement the abstract, as well.

  3. PDF Writing a Conference Abstract: Tips for Success

    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 research questions; method, finding, conclusion, recommendation. Follows the chronology of the report.

  4. How to Write a Really Great Presentation Abstract

    An abstract for a presentation should include most the following sections. Sometimes they will only be a sentence each since abstracts are typically short (250 words): What (the focus): Clearly explain your idea or question your work addresses (i.e. how to recruit participants in a retirement community, a new perspective on the concept of ...

  5. How to Write an Abstract for a Conference

    Writing a great abstract improves your chances of being selected. There are two main types of abstracts: classic or academic abstracts (the focus of this article) and layman summaries (more on these later). How to write an abstract for a conference 1. Check the guidelines. Make sure you carefully read and follow the submission guidelines.

  6. How to write an abstract for your conference talk or webinar

    The whole point of your talk or webinar is to leave the audience smarter. The second paragraph of your abstract is a moment to teach something to your audience even before they attend. Give the ...

  7. Tips for Writing an Excellent Conference Abstract

    The final draft should be clear and easy to read and understand. Your language should be professional and adhere to abstract guidelines. Writing in the present tense is preferred. If there is more than one author, each author should review and edit the draft. Ask a colleague who is a good editor to critique your work.

  8. How to write a killer conference abstract: The first step towards an

    This, coming so soon after the title, gives the impression that the post is about both article and conference abstracts. I think there are some fundamental differences between the two. For example: Article abstracts are presented to journal editors along with the article concerned. Conference abstracts are presented alone to conference organisers.

  9. Important Tips for Writing an Effective Conference Abstract

    Once you are clear on the topic of the conference, you can tailor your abstract to fit specific sessions. An important part of keeping your focus is knowing the word limit for the abstract. Most word limits are around 250-300 words. So, be concise. Use Example Abstracts as a Guide. Looking at examples of abstracts is always a big help. Look at ...

  10. PDF How to Write a Successful Abstract for a Public Health Conference

    Understand the purpose of a scientific abstract; Describe the structure of a scientific abstract and the writing approaches for each section; Discuss "tricks of the trade" to improve chances for abstract acceptance. Write an abstract for submission to an upcoming public health conference! Call for Abstracts: Nov. 1, 2019 - Jan. 10, 2020.

  11. PDF How to Write an Abstract That Will Be Accepted for Presentation at a

    prior to its presentation at the meeting. The first step in writing an abstract is to read the in-structions. Professional societies nearly always provide guidelines and specifications for submitting abstracts to their meetings, and while certain things are common to all of them, there are important differences. Detailed, explicit

  12. Writing a Conference Abstract and Paper for Presentation

    It covers the key issues to consider and is organised into two main sections: the first deals with how to write an abstract and the second with how to write and present a conference paper. Unlike a conference keynote paper, 'less is more' when it comes to a conference theme presentation.

  13. Tips for Writing Your First Conference Abstract

    While submitting an abstract to a national conference can seem overwhelming, it is one of the best ways to communicate your science and get your research in front of a large audience. Students interested in learning how to write an abstract should review these helpful tips that describe components of a competitive abstract. Also review the ...

  14. Research Guides: How to Write a Conference Abstract: Home

    Here are some of the benefits of submitting a conference abstract: It's a good addition to your CV and resume. It may be published in the conference proceedings. It could be a basis for future publication. Garners recognition from colleagues online and through social media. Helps you make connections through networking at the conference.

  15. PDF Sample Conference Abstract

    *If the abstract is to be blind-reviewed, you will need to omit any identifying information. Sample Conference Abstract . Presentation Title: Adhering to the Formatting Requirements Set by the Conference . Organisers. Your name, and any co-presenters' names, along with your title/s, university affiliation/s,

  16. Tips for Writing Conference Paper Abstracts

    This is a general guide for crafting stand-out conference paper abstracts. It includes recommendations for the content and presentation of the abstract, as well as examples of the best abstracts submitted to the 2012-2013 abstract selection committee for the ninth annual North Carolina State University graduate student history conference.

  17. Writing an Abstract for a Conference

    Example of additional abstract selection factors: Encouraging young researchers; Ethnic diversity; Author reputation; 3. Challenges in Writing a Conference Abstract. Writing a conference abstract is challenging since it is a limited-length text that needs to appeal to all the different groups of people involved in the conference.

  18. PDF Writing a Conference Abstract or Proposal

    What is a conference proposal? The conference proposal is a stand-alone document—independent from your written —that proposes your presentation for a conference. The primary audience for a conference proposal is the The secondary audience is conference attendees (abstracts are generally listed in conference programs).

  19. How to Write a Presentation Abstract for a Tech Conference

    Target your "What you will learn" sentences to the audience you described, and plug in the concepts from your outline. Example pattern: "In this session, you will learn how to ____, ___, and ___.". Opener: Next add an opening statement that calls to the target audience. An example: "Every developer needs to know how to ____.".

  20. Writing a Conference Abstract and Paper for Presentation

    It covers the key issues to consider and is organised into two main sections: the first deals with how to write an abstract and the second with how to write and present a conference paper. Unlike a conference keynote paper, 'less is more' when it comes to a conference theme presentation.

  21. Preparing an Abstract, Traditional Poster, Oral Presentation

    Abstract text must be written inside the area that is indicated (usually a small rectangle is provided for your text). This may be the amount of space allotted for printing in the meeting program so it is important to stay within the rectangle space. A standard software program should be used to type the text of the abstract.

  22. Writing Abstracts for a Conference Submission

    Writing Abstracts for a Conference Submission. Identify a conference that fits your research area and topic. Check the deadlines, criteria for submission and acceptance, location, and funding avenues. Once you have decided on an appropriate conference, prepare your research to meet the submission criteria. For example, your conference might ask ...

  23. How to Write an Abstract

    Step 2: Methods. Next, indicate the research methods that you used to answer your question. This part should be a straightforward description of what you did in one or two sentences. It is usually written in the past simple tense, as it refers to completed actions.