A lot of people think writing an abstract is easy. If you’re right, then they’ll probably find out how wrong they are soon enough.
Writing an abstract isn’t as easy as it seems. There are a lot of standards to follow, and if you want the article to be considered for publication, then you need to work hard to meet them.
Let’s take a look at what you need to include in your abstract and why you need to follow these guidelines so carefully.
Keywords
One of the first things to check for is the keywords. If you want to find the article easily then you should include the right keywords in your abstract. When someone searches for information on your topic, your abstract will appear alongside other articles and you’ll get the green light to publication.
To find the right keywords, you need to think like a customer. What problems are they facing that your article could solve? What are their pain points? What do they need to get their work done?
You can also use the keyword tool in the article’s URL to find any available keywords. For example, let’s say your topic is fashion. If you visit the URL of an article (let’s call it anime girl dresses), then you’ll see a list of all the keywords that are used in the article along with how many times they were mentioned.
You should include the main keywords in your abstract. These are the keywords that are most relevant to your article. You don’t have to include all of them. Just add the ones that you think are most relevant to your topic. After all, less is more. When someone is reading your abstract, they should be able to find the article easily with just a few clicks. By including all the keywords, you make it easier for the reader to find your content.
Summary
The summary is very similar to the keywords. You need to include a short description of your article. A rough draft of your summary should be no more than 300 words. Make sure you include enough information for the reader to understand your work. Summarizing an article is difficult enough as it is. You don’t want to make it harder by using complex language.
It’s best to keep your summary short and sweet. Try to keep it no more than 300 words because that’s approximately how long it will take to read the entire article. If you want to write a more detailed summary, then you can always expand on it later in the form of an editorial or a blog post.
Introduction
The introduction is where you briefly introduce yourself and the topic you’re writing about. In the case of a literature review, you can start by saying something like this:
“Literature review: The purpose of a literature review is to examine the existing body of literature on a specific topic. To do this, we’ll first need to establish what is already known about this topic as well as what new information can be added to the conversation.
There are two main types of literature reviews:
- Analytical:
- Thematic.
An analytical literature review examines the existing body of research on a topic and provides conclusions based on the existing studies. For example, let’s say you’re writing a literature review on how to choose the right accessories to enhance your evening look. You could start by establishing what is currently known about this topic by using the keywords from the previous section:
“Asymmetry: The asymmetry of an object is the difference in its properties (e.g., size, shape, or color) upon opposite sides. In other words, an object’s asymmetry is the difference in its physical make-up or natural state, as opposed to its intended use or artistic creation.
This term is also used in the field of neuroscience to describe the difference in the structure or functioning of the brain on the left and right sides. For example, the right hemisphere controls our motor skills while also being dominant for perception and learning. As a result, the right side of the brain is often associated with an object’s ‘use-meaning’ while the left side is associated with its ‘form-meaning.’
This type of review can also include a discussion of the limitations of existing research, as well as an assessment of the quality of the studies.
A thematic literature review examines a topic in depth and provides a broad overview of existing research. For example, let’s say you’re writing a thematic review on fashion trends. You could start by establishing the “Big Five” (brand, styling, color, cut, and silhouette) of fashion as defined by the fashion industry, and then provide a broad overview of the existing trends based on this framework.
This type of review can also include the development of a theoretical framework (i.e., make up a model or theory) to explain how and why the trends are happening now. In the case of fashion, some experts believe that technological advances (i.e., artificial intelligence and robotics) are at the root of today’s fashion trends. Another trend that has gained popularity is ‘metaphysical purchasing’, where people are seeking clothes that can amplify their own personalities, such as bright colors and patterns for women, and tough looks for men.
Regardless of whether you choose an analytical or thematic approach, the most important thing to keep in mind is that your introduction should be relevant to your article’s content. You don’t want to write a 1,000-word introduction for a 300-word article. The introduction should support the article rather than the other way around. Think of it this way: you’re not writing an encyclopedia; you’re writing a literary work that will be understood by a specific audience. Ensure that your introduction is relevant to that audience and makes a good case for why they should care about your article.
Materials And Methods
The materials and methods section is where you describe the specific tools you used to research your topic. This part of the paper is mostly for the benefit of the reader. The materials and methods section should not exceed 6-7 sentences and should be as objective as possible. Avoid using language that’s too subjective. For example, instead of saying “I loved reading X study because it was so insightful,” you can say “The methods used for this study were systematic and reliable.”
Results
The results section is where you present the findings of your analysis. In other words, this is where you discuss the information you gathered from previous sections. The results section is also where you discuss the significance of your work, its limitations, and how it can be further improved upon. The results section is meant to be comprehensive and to the point. Make sure you include all the relevant and significant data that supports your findings.
It is preferred that you follow the “organization-first, results-second” approach when presenting your results. This means you should include all the important findings in the same section, regardless of whether they support or contradict your hypothesis. To keep your results concise, you can use the following approach:
1. First, describe the general findings (i.e., what did you learn from your analysis of the previous sections).
2. Next, provide the results specific to your hypothesis (if you have one).
3. Finally, discuss the significance of your findings in the context of existing research.
Some experts believe that step two should come first followed by steps one and three. However, as a general rule, the more you break down the paper, the more you’ll achieve. By following this approach, you’ll present a more comprehensive overview of your work.
Discussion
The discussion is where you offer your opinion on the topic you’re writing about. This part of the paper is completely subjective and is meant to be a rounded view of the topic. Some experts believe that this type of paper doesn’t deserve its own section because it is supposed to be a part of the whole paper, but it’s still important to include it here. The discussion should include everything you’d like to say on the topic and should not be limited to the scope of the article. Make sure you include both facts and opinions, but make sure that your opinion is based on the facts. When offering your opinion on a topic, it’s always best to be as objective as possible. This means you should avoid using phrases like “I believe,” “In my opinion,” and “In my judgment.” Instead, you can say “Based on my analysis…” or “According to…”.