Week 5

English for Academic and

Professional Purposes

Lesson 4
Today's
Lesson

01 Abstract Writing

02 Précis Writing
Abstract
An abstract is a short summary of your
(published or unpublished) research
paper, usually about a paragraph (c. 6-7
sentences, 150-250 words) long.
Structures of In this section, you summarize your
main findings, comment on those

an Abstract 04
Discuss-
ions
findings and connect them to another
research.

03 Results In this section, you present your findings.

The methods section tells readers how you conducted your

02 Methods
study.

Intro- The introduction explains why this research is important or

01 duction necessary.
Example:
Environmental non-profit organizations in the UK currently face a significant funding gap. Research has
shown that donation intention is influenced by campaign messaging strategies, and that representations
of individual victims are generally more effective than appeals based on abstract concepts like climate
change. This study aims to determine how environmental organizations can target fundraising campaigns
to increase donations. Based on a review of the literature on donation intention and theories of social
distance, an online survey was distributed to potential donors based across the UK. Respondents were
randomly divided into two conditions (large and small social distance) and asked to respond to one of
two sets of fundraising material. Analysis of the responses demonstrated that large social distance was
associated with stronger donation intentions than small social distance. The results indicate that social
distance does have an impact on donation intention. On this basis, it is recommended that environmental
organizations use social distance as a key factor in designing and targeting their campaigns. Further
research is needed to identify other factors that could strengthen the effectiveness of these campaigns.
Practice:
We assessed the oral health of the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota people, described a new oral health
assessment tool for Indigenous people, and suggested ways to improve Native oral health. The Check Up
Study team of dentists and dental hygienists performed examinations of teeth and oral soft tissue for a
convenience sample of 292 adults and children. Screening personnel counted the number of decayed,
filled, sealed and total teeth, used probes to measure periodontal disease, and screened for oral lesions.
Half of the adults had 27 or fewer teeth. Sixteen percent of adults had at least one tooth with a pocket
depth > 6mm. Participants had higher numbers of decayed teeth (p<0.0001), and lower numbers of filled
teeth (p<0.0001) than those reflected in Indian Health Service cross-tribe aggregated data from 1999.
Amongst Lakota people of Pine Ridge, our study documented a high prevalence of caries and
periodontal disease, numerous people with missing teeth, and many unmet dental needs. Future studies
of oral health-related behaviors and access to oral health care are needed to explain the dental,
periodontal, and soft tissue problems that adversely affect the Oglala Lakota.
Précis A précis is a specific kind of summary
of an article, book, or speech that uses
the language and overall structure of
the original source.
It is a summary where the words came
from the original text. 1/3 of total
words are from the original passage,
essay and chapter of a book.
HOW IS A PRÉCIS DIFFERENT FROM
PARAPHRASE OR SUMMARY?
 Final Copy
06

Writing 05 Revise

Précis 04
Initial
Draft

03 Title

02 Analyze

01 Read
Example:
Step 1 Reading
The great defect of our civilization is that it does not know what to do with its knowledge. Science has
given us power fit for the gods, yet we use it like small children. For example, we do not know how to
manage our machines. Machines were made to be man’s servants; yet he had grown so dependent upon
them that they in a fair way have become his master. Already, most men spend most of their lives looking
after and waiting upon machines. And the machines are very stern master. They must be fed with coal
and petrol to drink, and oil to wash waste, and they must be kept at the right temperature. And if they do
not get their meals when they expect them, they grow sulky and refuse to work, or burst with rage, and
blow up, and spread ruin and destruction all around them. So, we have to wait upon them very
attentively and do all that we can, to keep them in good temper. Already we find it difficult either to
work or play without the machines, and a time may come when they will rule us altogether just as we
rule animals.
Example:
Step 2 Analyze
The great defect of our civilization is that it does not know what to do with its knowledge. Science has
given us power fit for the gods, yet we use it like small children. For example, we do not know how to
manage our machines. Machines were made to be man’s servants; yet he had grown so dependent upon
them that they in a fair way have become his master. Already, most men spend most of their lives looking
after and waiting upon machines. And the machines are very stern master. They must be fed with coal
and petrol to drink, and oil to wash waste, and they must be kept at the right temperature. And if they do
not get their meals when they expect them, they grow sulky and refuse to work, or burst with rage, and
blow up, and spread ruin and destruction all around them. So, we have to wait upon them very
attentively and do all that we can, to keep them in good temper. Already we find it difficult either to
work or play without the machines, and a time may come when they will rule us altogether just as we
rule animals.
Example:
Step 3 Title

Title:

Men and Machines

Example:
Step 4 Initial Draft

It does not know what to do with its knowledge. Science has given us power fit for the gods, yet we use
it like small children. For example, we do not know how to manage our machines. They must be fed with
coal and petrol to drink, and oil to wash waste, and they must be kept at the right temperature. And if
they do not get their meals when they expect them, they grow sulky and refuse to work, or burst with
rage, and blow up, and spread ruin and destruction all around them. So, we have to wait upon them very
attentively. Already we find it difficult either to work or play without the machines, and a time may come
when they will rule us altogether just as we rule animals.
Example:
Step 5 Revise

It does not know what to do with its knowledge. Science has given us power fit for the gods, yet we use
it like small children. For example, we do not know how to manage our machines. They must be fed with
coal and petrol to drink, and oil to wash waste, and they must be kept at the right temperature. And if
they do not get their meals when they expect them, they grow sulky and refuse to work, or burst with
rage, and blow up, and spread ruin and destruction all around them. So, we have to wait upon them very
attentively. Already we find it difficult either to work or play without the machines, and a time may come
when they will rule us altogether just as we rule animals.
Example:
Step 6 Final Copy

Men and Machines

People do not know what to do with their knowledge. Science has given individuals superhuman
powers, which they do not use properly. For example, people are unable to manage machines.
Machines should be fed promptly and waited upon attentively; otherwise, they will not be useful
and may cause destruction. Now, humans find it difficult to do things without machines. Over time,
machines may rule over us.
Thank you for
listening!