Writing an Abstract for Your
Research Paper
Definition and Purpose of Abstracts
 An abstract is a short summary of your (published
orunpublished) research paper, usually about a
paragraph (c. 6-7sentences, 150-250 words) long.
A well-written abstract serves multiple purposes:
1. an abstract lets readers get the gist or essence of
your paper or article quickly, in
order to decide whether to read the full paper;
2. an abstract prepares readers to follow the detailed
information, analyses, and
arguments in your full paper;
3. and, later, an abstract helps readers remember key
points from your paper.
Here are the typical kinds of information
found in most abstracts:
1.the context or background information for your
research; the general topic under study; the specific
topic of your research
2.the central questions or statement of
the problem your research addresses
3.what’s already known about this question,
what previous research has done or shown
4. the main reason(s), the exigency, the rationale,
the goals for your research—Why is it important to
address these questions? Are you, for example,
examining a new topic? Why is that topic worth
examining? Are you 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 in your field? . . .
4. your research and/or analytical methods
5. your main findings, results, or arguments
7. the significance or implications of your findings or
arguments.
WRITING A PRECIS
A precis writing is a gist of any passage in as
few words as possible. A precis should mention all
important details of the original paragraph so that
anyone who is reading it can understand the idea of
the original passage.
 The word Precis comes from the Latin ‘praecisus’
and the old French ‘précis’ which means abrupt,
abridged,cut off, or shortened. The word Precis is
pronounced with a silent ‘s’ (Pray-see).
Rules in making a precis.
1. Attentively read the source text. You need to
understand whatit is about and what the author wants
to emphasize. Make a list of the bullet points to always
have them in front of you;
2. Highlight its main features, arguments and points.
Then it will be much easier for you to concentrate on
the work and stick to a proper précis format;
3. Make a list of the used evidence. This will help you
will understand what the main ideas and motives of the
author are. Without walking in the author’s shoes you
won’t be able to create an awesome work;
4. Research any information you find unfamiliar. This
includes terms, definitions, data, statements, etc. You
need to have a clear understanding of what you are
writing about. If you have any doubts, research the
subject;
5. Identify call-to-actions. These may become the main
motives the author was trying to convey. They are
usually situated in the end of the paragraph or text and
urge the reader to move forward, support the author or
act in any particular way. The best precis
examples always contain outstanding call-to actions
7. Make a thesis restatement. It should also consist of
one or two statements and indicate general ideas of the
whole work. Your thesis is the heart of the work, so
think thoroughly about how to put it into words. Don’t
be in a hurry and write this section only when the
whole précis is ready;
8. Write a brief summary for each part of the article. It
should explain its key ideas and features, and give the
reader an understanding of what the source text is
about;
9. Give explanation of the piece, using your own words.
Avoid being too general and never forget about your
own unique style. It is important to show your
personality and give a side look on seemingly common
facts and ideas;
10. Reread the initial text and compare it to your
summary. They should interlink and your précis must
contain all the key features and points of the source.
Do’s and Don’ts of Precis Writing
Here are some Do’s listed below which one
can follow in Precis Writing:
 Read all the text carefully and identify
the main points.
 Focus on the main points of the given
text and it is best to avoid adding any
irrelevant information.
 Write a concise summary of the text
which reflects all the main points of it.
Don’ts to be followed in Precis Writing
❌ Avoid including your personal opinion
❌ Re-write or summarize the entire text
❌ Avoid adding any superfluous details
Remember Don’ts for Précis Writing
Your words should not be more than 1/3 of the given
passage
Avoid copy/pasting
Don’t make answers to a single paragraph as précis
Don’t make more than 1 paragraph
5 Ultimate Points & Rules
1. Read once quickly
2. Re-read and underline the focuses of the passage3.
3. Read again and write down important points
4. Analyze the important points and given questions
5. Try to relate them with each other. As a result, you’ll
get a summary/précis of passage.
How to find the exact title?
 Guess that it is from social evils or others to give a
broad topic.Otherwise, get an idea from the most
focused point
EXAMPLES
ACTUAL PARAGRAPH
A good book is one of our best friends. It is the same
today and it will never change. This is the most
patient and cheerful of colleagues. He does not turn
away from us in times of trouble or distress. It
always accepts us with the same kindness. To entertain
and educate in youth, to comfort and comfort us
in old age.
Precis:
A good book is a patient, neverchanging, and cheerful
friend who helps us find peace and comfort in grief, in
youth, and in old age.
Title: - The usefulness of books.
ACTUAL PARAGRAPH
Generally, European trains still stop at borders
to change locomotives and staff. This is often
necessary. The German and French voltage
systems are incompatible. Spain though not
Portugal has a broad gouge track. English bridges
are lower than elsewhere, and passengers on
German trains would need a ladder to reach
French platforms, twice as high as their own. But
those physical constraints pale in comparison to
an even formidable barrier national chauvinism.
While officials in Brussels strive for an integrated
and efficiently run rail network to relieve the
Continent’s gorged roads and airways and cut
down on pollution, three member countries
France, Germany, and Italy are working
feverishly to develop their own expensive and
mutually incompatible high-speed trains.
To write down the important points after the second
Reading
 European trains still stop at borders
 Physical constraints pale in comparison to an even
formidable barrier national chauvinism.
 officials in Brussels strive for an integrated and
efficiently run rail network
 France, Germany, and Italy are working feverishly
to Develop
Precis
European trains are incompatible to enter from one
European country into another due to the physical
barriers between them, but more so the nationalistic
tendencies. Officials in Brussels, however, are striving
for an integrated rail network, but three member
countries are doing the opposite.
Title: The Barriers among European Trains
Passage word count = 118 words
Précis word count = 44 word
PARAPHRASING
Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas into
your own words.Paraphrasing a source involves
changing the wording while preserving the original
meaning.
Paraphrasing is an alternative to quoting (copying
someone’s exact words and putting them in quotation
marks). In academic writing, it’s usually better to
integrate sources by paraphrasing instead of quoting. It
shows that you have understood the source, reads
more smoothly, and keeps your own voice front and
center.
Every time you paraphrase, it’s important to cite the
source. Also take care not
to use wording that is too similar to the original.
Otherwise, you could be at risk of
committing plagiarism.