Abstract/Summary
An abstract or summary is a scientific document summarizing a longer document.
It should:
1. Show what the longer document is all about
2. Help others decide whether to read all, part, or none of the longer document
3. Give users a framework for understanding the longer document.
For this assignment, you will choose an article from a professional journal in your field. This must be turned in as a hard-copy with your abstract.
Process of preparation:
1. Read
2. Reread—highlight or underline focusing on essential message.
3. Pare down ideas
4. Combine ideas
5. Rewrite in your own words
6. Check your version against original
7. Document your source
What the reader expects:
– accuracy – a precise sketch of content, emphasis, reasoning of journal article
– completeness – a reader would only glean details from reading the document as the
abstract has provided all main points.
– readability – clear, straightforward
– non-technical style – unless writing to an expert, use plain English
Student Learning Outcomes:
– Create a thesis that establishes claims for both a main argument and
intermediate arguments that support it. (OTM 1, 2, 3)
– Be able to distinguish between background, primary, and secondary
research sources, and use those sources appropriate for the genre
they are writing and the audience for whom they are writing.(OTM5 & 6)
– Write collaboratively with others, while remaining responsible for their
own contribution to a group project. (OTM 1, 2, 3,4)
– Use at least two different citation styles, and identify the disciplines for
which these are appropriate. (OTM 5)
– Apply advanced methods for integrating outside sources into an
argument, such as endnotes, footnotes, appendices, or similar reference. (OTM 1-6)
– Use electronic environments to collaborate on texts, conduct peer review, and
produce texts appropriate for publication in electronic forms. (OTM6)