Writing an AbstractWriting an Abstract

Damascus, 29 February 2004Damascus, 29 February 2004

Milly GrilloneMilly Grillone

International Junior ConsultantInternational Junior Consultant

What’s an AbstractWhat’s an Abstract An abstract is a condensed version of a An abstract is a condensed version of a

longer piece of writing longer piece of writing

It conveys the essential information of a It conveys the essential information of a paper, article, document, bookpaper, article, document, book

It presents the content and scope of a It presents the content and scope of a paperpaper

Where do I start from?Where do I start from?

Key wordsKey words An abstract must An abstract must

contain key words contain key words about what is about what is essentialessential

in a report so that in a report so that someone else can someone else can retrieve information retrieve information

from it. from it.

How do I write an Abstract?How do I write an Abstract?

You You convey the essenceconvey the essence of a whole paper into a of a whole paper into a single paragraph single paragraph containing containing as much new as much new information as possible.information as possible.

1.Highlight the objective and 1.Highlight the objective and conclusionsconclusions

2.Identify keyword 2.Identify keyword informationinformation

3.Compile the above 3.Compile the above highlighted into a single highlighted into a single paragraph by condensing paragraph by condensing informationinformation

StyleStyle

Concise and ClearConcise and Clear Non-repetitiveNon-repetitive

The abstract’s wording The abstract’s wording should be should be very directvery direct

““The----(title)-------The----(title)-------presents…”presents…”

StepsSteps1.1. Read Read the paper with the the paper with the

goal of abstracting in mind goal of abstracting in mind (use the headings and (use the headings and table of contents as a table of contents as a guide)guide)

2.2. Write Write a draft (don’t merely a draft (don’t merely copy sentences from the copy sentences from the paper): summarize paper): summarize information in a new way!!information in a new way!!

3.3. ReviseRevise

Content RevisionContent Revision

Revise your rough Revise your rough draft to draft to

Correct Correct weaknesses in weaknesses in organizationorganization

Drop unnecessary Drop unnecessary informationinformation

Add important Add important information you left information you left outout

Grammatical RevisionGrammatical Revision

Delete extra words Delete extra words and phrasesand phrases

Rephrase the first Rephrase the first sentence (“This sentence (“This study….”)study….”)

Fix errors (grammar, Fix errors (grammar, spelling, punctuation)spelling, punctuation)

Improve transitions Improve transitions from point to pointfrom point to point

Syria’s major exports are

directed towards the EU. And

Syria is signing an agreement with the EU.

(……)

Print your final copy and read it Print your final copy and read it again to catch any oversightsagain to catch any oversights

A Sample Abstract (1)A Sample Abstract (1) Syrian Agricultural Trade 2003 illustrates the Syrian Agricultural Trade 2003 illustrates the

evolution of world and Syrian trade in line with evolution of world and Syrian trade in line with the increasing economic and social the increasing economic and social interdependency among countries brought about interdependency among countries brought about by global market liberalization.by global market liberalization.

It intends to be a source of information and a It intends to be a source of information and a tool for decision makers to consolidate Syria’s tool for decision makers to consolidate Syria’s internal reform process, increase its outward internal reform process, increase its outward orientation, build up a network of bilateral and orientation, build up a network of bilateral and multilateral agreements, promote trade multilateral agreements, promote trade liberalization and, thus, accelerate the country’s liberalization and, thus, accelerate the country’s economic development economic development

A Sample Abstract (2)A Sample Abstract (2) The first two chapters focus on general and agricultural world trade The first two chapters focus on general and agricultural world trade

and related policies, hinting at the experience of the EU and the and related policies, hinting at the experience of the EU and the USA. The third chapter analyzes Syrian agro-food trade trends in USA. The third chapter analyzes Syrian agro-food trade trends in the light of three main key dimensions: time, space and product. It the light of three main key dimensions: time, space and product. It also identifies the country’s new agricultural trade partners and also identifies the country’s new agricultural trade partners and traces a classification of the most suitable products for export. The traces a classification of the most suitable products for export. The report also provides variables and indicators allowing to asses the report also provides variables and indicators allowing to asses the adaptation of Syrian products to world demand changes and to adaptation of Syrian products to world demand changes and to measure the degree of exports diversification. The fourth chapter measure the degree of exports diversification. The fourth chapter reviews recent changes in institutions and policies as well as reviews recent changes in institutions and policies as well as negotiation and implementation of preferential agreements of negotiation and implementation of preferential agreements of relevance for agricultural trade. relevance for agricultural trade.

A special chapter is devoted to the description of the rules A special chapter is devoted to the description of the rules governing the accession process to the WTO. This information is governing the accession process to the WTO. This information is meant to provide technical background to Syria’s request of meant to provide technical background to Syria’s request of adhesion to the organization and to be functional to a further adhesion to the organization and to be functional to a further progression of the country’s integration into the global trading progression of the country’s integration into the global trading system.system.