Abstract

An abstract is a brief summary of a journal article or research paper or other source of information. An abstract for doctorate research paper, for example, will usually be about one page in length. Abstracts are often found in journals created primarily for the purpose of collecting such summaries. Looking at the abstract will often give you enough information about the source so that you can determine if looking up the original source would be worthwhile. Occasionally, also, the abstract will tell you exactly what you want to know.

Research paper Abstract:
Darling, Charles W. "Giver of Due Regard: The Poetry of Richard Wilbur." Diss.
U. of CT, 1977. DAI 38 (1978): 1210A.

Article Abstracts:
Garrett, Anne W. "In Vitro Ocular Alternatives." Drug & Cosmetic Industry 9
160 (1995): 344-353. Abstract. Journal of International Business Studies 26 (1997): item (BWBA)97030352.
Leach, Joan, and Julia M. Rosa. "Stress in Nursing Education in the Community College."
International Journal of Nursing Education 14 (1996): 124-78. Psychological
Abstracts 84 (1997): item 1432.

Final Text
Good writing takes time, and requires composition and editing." (Berge, 126)

Reading and revising:
Look at the three major parts of your paper:
Do you have a solid introduction?
Are you clearly stating the thesis of your presentation?
Does the body of the paper offer convincing support of the thesis?
Based on the research presented, is your conclusion logical?
Next look closely at the style of your writing:
Do your paragraphs work together?
Are the transitions between them clear?
Are your sentences well constructed?
Does the paper contain sentences which vary in length and style so as to maintain the reader's interest?
Have you used words as effectively as possible? Is your language specific and vivid?
Proofread for spelling mistakes and typo