
thesis abstract
Writing an abstract might sound simple, but that’s only the case until you sit down to do it.
Scholar Sukrimiyadi’s 2023 research on variation in abstract writing proves that dissertation abstracts don’t always follow a clear layout. Sometimes, it is overly wordy, other times too vague, and many abstracts don’t even make sense.
Therefore, researchers need to summarize their thesis in a powerful abstract – one that is less messy and ensures that the research receives the attention it deserves. Now, let us move on to the latter part of the blog and discover how to write an abstract that actually works.
Thesis Abstract Writing – From 100 Pages to 250 Words!
Remember that an abstract writer needs to be more tactful than an essay writer. However, before you put down the pen on the paper or type a word into the Word file, here is what you must understand about the summary writing.
- It is placed right at the beginning, acting as a gateway to your academic work.
- Think of it like a quick preview of the research paper. It speaks volumes to the reader about what the research is based on and why it matters so much.
- A strong summary covers your research questions, method, key findings and conclusions.
- However, all of this has to be within 150 to 300 words. Not more.
- Lastly, this brief synopsis has to be attention-grabbing, clear, concise and effective.
Now, Let’s Break Down the Abstract Into Part Line-Wise
- Lines 1 to 3 – Introduction & Research Question
The purpose of this section is to introduce your topic and why it matters. You should try to keep it engaging and to the point, both at the same time. Here are some other things to remember for summarizing your thesis in a powerful abstract:
- This section should take 40 to 60 words.
- Start with a strong opening that briefly introduces the topic.
- Do not use any vague statements at all throughout the research.
- Keep all your sentences concise, but keep them meaningful.
- Then, mention the relevance of your study to a broader academic conversation.
- Avoid excessive background information.
- You need to revisit your research questions and check if they are SMART.
- If possible, use a compelling hook to engage readers immediately.
- Lines 4 to 8 – Methodology and Key Findings
The prime intention of this part is to explain how your research was conducted and then proceed by presenting the core results. You need to include all the details of the methodology, whether it’s done through surveys, experiments or analysis.
- Here, you have the liberty to write between 70 to at least 100 words.
- After the quick introduction, you need to briefly describe the approach used.
- Continue this with non-technical details that won’t overwhelm the readers.
- After that, make your findings easy to understand and highlight how they are important.
- You should not be listing too many minor results.
- Instead, you need to stay objective and let the findings speak for themselves without exaggeration.
- Finally, make sure that everything you write here is in direct alignment with the research questions and research purpose.
- Lines 9 to 12 – Conclusion and Significance
The last section is where you highlight why your study matters and how it contributes to the field. You must wrap it up with the details of implications and future relevance.
- The total words here should be around 50 to 80.
- Try to begin by subtly restating the main takeaway.
- Then, without unnecessarily repeating yourself, explain why your findings matter for the academic field or real-world applications.
- You should also suggest potential improvements or future areas of research.
- In your entire conclusion, be very precise and confident in what was achieved.
- Then, end it by reinforcing your main argument rather than introducing new points.
- So far, if you find yourself stuck anywhere, you can always reach out to any thesis writing service in Ireland for help.
Mistakes That Scholars Often Make & How to Avoid Them
Stop… | Instead… |
Forgetting to add the keywords. | ü Try to use the relevant keywords efficiently in the text. It will help in improving the overall visibility. |
Writing content that lacks logical flow. | ü Organize the idea clearly, following a structured outline. |
Using passive voice excessively. | ü You should be using an active voice. This helps in making the summary more appealing. |
Overloading the summary with too many details. | ü Prioritize the most important points to keep it concise. |
Making the abstract too specialized. | ü Ensure that it is accessible, not technically deep and 100% readable. |
The Frequently Asked Questions of a Scholar
- How short is too short for an abstract?
If you listen to the experts, the acceptable word count range is from 150 to 250 words. Any length shorter than this may fail to provide essential context. So, instead of worrying about word count, focus on including all the information clearly and concisely.
2. Can I make my abstract more engaging, or does it have to be purely academic?
While it needs to be formal, it doesn’t really have to be dry, too. Thus, try to use clear, precise and attractive language, but stay away from jargon to keep yourself safe from readability issues.
3. Is it okay to include personal insights or emotions?
An abstract should remain objective and research-focused. Any personal narratives in it can dilute academic integrity. However, if your study is deeply qualitative or human-centred, a little bit of narrative can be acceptable.
4. What are the qualities of a vague abstract?
- It lacks specifics and has excessive generalization.
- It doesn’t focus enough on the findings.
- It overuses broad terms.
- It omits methodology and research implications.
The Summary of How to Summarize Your Thesis in 250 Words
Summarizing your thesis in a powerful abstract that, too, just 250 words, is simple when you focus on key points. All you need to do is start by clearly introducing your research topic.
Then, state all your main research questions and discuss the approaches you used in finding answers to them. Once done, you can share your important findings. However, you need to make sure that all of this stays both brief and meaningful.
Finally, you end the abstract by explaining why your research matters and how it will leave a lasting impact. Besides this, try to keep the sentences short and direct and avoid the extra chunky details.