1、Week 12 Abstract and AcknowledgementsZHENCONG LIUContentsAbstractAcknowledgementsLead in(1)What do you think the abstract may include?(2)How many types of abstract do you know?(3)What are the features for a good abstract?(4)W h a t s h o u l d b e i n c l u d e d i n acknowledgements?（5）What are the
2、 common sentence structures for acknowledges?AbstractsAn abstract is“a brief summary An abstract is“a brief summary which condenses in itself the which condenses in itself the argument and all the essential argument and all the essential information of a paper”(Taylor,information of a paper”(Taylor,
3、2007).2007).Importance of AbstractsAlmost the first part for readers to readAs an overall signpost for the readerBut it is written after after the research has been completed,after the thesis has been completed.An abstract competes for attention in An abstract competes for attention in a global ocea
4、n of literatureits a global ocean of literatureits worth spending some quality time on worth spending some quality time on writing it.writing it.Important featuresAn abstract allows the reader to survey the contents of a document quickly and decide whether to continue reading.It needs to be dense wi
5、th information but also readable,well-organized,brief,and self-contained.Length of AbstractsAbstracts are generally 100-250 words,though a thesis or conference abstract may be up to 400 words.“SAEF”AbstractStartStart by clearly stating the topic being addressed and indicating its importance.AvoidAvo
6、id over-reaching claims of significance and also being too narrow.ElaborateElaborate on the opening by explaining the specifics of your study:what have you done,how,and what did you discover?FinishFinish by stating your conclusions and why they are significant?The abstract is critical for reviewers-
7、make it interesting!Good AbstractThe quality of an abstract will strongly influence the editors and reviewersUse the abstract to“sellsell”your article.A good abstract:Is precise and honest Can stand alone Use no technical jargon Is brief and specific Cites no referencesQualities of a Good Abstract A
8、ble to stand alone.Uses keywords.Uses one or more well developed,unified,coherent and concise paragraphs.Uses an introduction/body/conclusion structure presenting the purpose,results,conclusions,and recommendations in that order.Follows strictly the chronology of the article,paper,or report.Provides
9、 logical connections between the information included.Does not include unnecessary details.Adds no new information,but simply summarizes the report.Is understandable to a wide audience.Adheres closely to the length given.Often uses passive verbs to downplay the author and emphasize the information.P
10、rinciples of Abstracts avoid repetition.are limited to one paragraph of about 120-250 words.can stand alone.use the third person.use the passive voice.are highly signposted.What Goes into an Abstract?What Goes into an Abstract?What Goes into an Abstract?What Goes into an Abstract?Components The purp
11、ose of the study introduces the reason,the origin,the importance and significance of the study in question,including the premise,purpose and tasks and scope of the research.Research methods present the methods or techniques of the research,including the model,theory,conditions,objects,materials,tech
12、nology,structure,means,equipment,procedures,data collection and analysis,etc.Results report the results of the study,including data,identified relationship,observation results,effectiveness and performance achieved.Conclusions and recommendations comment on the main contribution or value ofthe resea
13、rch paper.It includes an analysis,comparison,evaluation of the research results,new issues raised,further studies of the future,assumptions,inspirations,recommendations and forecasts.Types of Abstracts (1)Indicative Abstracts (2)Informative Abstracts (3)Informative-indicative Abstracts (4)Structured
14、 AbstractsIndicative Abstracts Also known as descriptive abstracts or introductory abstracts,indicative abstracts mainly introduce the point of view or research purposes of the paper rather than the research methods,findings and conclusions.Requirements:tell readers what information the report,artic
15、le,tell readers what information the report,article,or paper contains.or paper contains.include the purpose,methods,and scope of the include the purpose,methods,and scope of the report,article,or paper.report,article,or paper.do not provide results,conclusions,or do not provide results,conclusions,o
16、r recommendations.recommendations.are always short,usually under are always short,usually under 50 words50 words.introduce the subject to readers,introduce the subject to readers,Informative AbstractsInformative abstracts outline the scope and content of the paper,including research purposes,methods
17、,results and conclusions.It is suitable for experimental studies and the word limit is in general between 100150 words.Requirements:communicate specific information from the report,article,communicate specific information from the report,article,or paper.or paper.include the purpose,methods,and scop
18、e of the report,include the purpose,methods,and scope of the report,article,or paper.article,or paper.provide the report,article,or papers results,provide the report,article,or papers results,conclusions,and recommendations.conclusions,and recommendations.are shortfrom a paragraph to a page or two,d
19、epending are shortfrom a paragraph to a page or two,depending upon the length of the original work being abstracted.upon the length of the original work being abstracted.Usually informative abstracts are Usually informative abstracts are 10%10%or less of the length or less of the length of the origi
20、nal pieceof the original pieceInformative-indicative Abstracts Informative-indicative abstracts have the characteristics of both informative and indicative abstracts.They are relatively longer than indicative abstracts,but shorter than informative abstracts,generally between 50100 words.Structured A
21、bstracts Structured abstracts mark the Aim,Methods,Results and Conclusion headings with eye-catching font(bold,uppercase or italics)for the reader.Contents:AimAim introduces the purpose of the paper and the introduces the purpose of the paper and the problems to be solved.problems to be solved.Metho
22、dsMethods describe research methods,including the describe research methods,including the processes,technical means or methods,equipment,etc.processes,technical means or methods,equipment,etc.ResultsResults report on the experimental data,research report on the experimental data,research results,the
23、 relationship,the theoretical results and results,the relationship,the theoretical results and observed phenomena.observed phenomena.ConclusionsConclusions are drawn based on the results obtained,are drawn based on the results obtained,mainly on the significance of the research.mainly on the signifi
24、cance of the research.Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages Advantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages Readability.Readability.equivalent to the equivalent to the outline of the paper,outline of the paper,w h i c h h e l p s t h e w h i c h h e l p s t h e author to write the author to write the first
25、draft.first draft.c o n d u c i v e t o c o n d u c i v e t o editingediting Their separate Their separate subheadings undermine subheadings undermine t h e c o h e r e n c e t h e c o h e r e n c e between the various between the various parts.parts.Example of a structured abstract Surviving and th
26、riving in academia:a selective bibliography for new faculty membersDeborah LeeReference Services ReviewVol.31 No.1PurposeTo provide a selective bibliography for graduate students and new faculty members with sources which can help them develop their academic career.Design/methodology/approach A rang
27、e of recently published(19932002)works.Findings To provide information about each source,.Steps for Writing Abstracts Print final copy and reread it to catch problems Print final copy and reread it to catch problems Revise a rough draft Revise a rough draft After you have finished rereading the arti
28、cle,After you have finished rereading the article,write a rough draft without looking back at the paperwrite a rough draft without looking back at the paper Reread the paper with the goal of abstracting in mind Reread the paper with the goal of abstracting in mind.The Language of AbstractA b s t r a
29、 c t a s a s u m m a r y o f thesis/dissertation:the present simple tense,e.g.This thesis examines.Abstract as a summary of the research that was carried out:the past simple tense and the present perfect tense,e.g.The study revealed that Previous research has shown thatVerb Tense in AbstractsVerb Te
30、nse in Abstractsu s e p r e s e n t t e n s e f o r t h e topic/problem/questionuse past tense to describe your method,results and analysisuse a cautious present tense for implications(may mediate,can improve)and recommendations(should be administered)use simple future tense in a proposal(I will mea
31、sure;This exploratory study will investigate)Tips on Writing an AbstractTips on Writing an Abstract1.Write the abstract last2.Follow any guidelines youve been given3.Be accurate4.Be self-contained5.Be clear,concise and specific6.Use signals7.Emphasize points in proportion to the emphasis they receiv
32、e in the paper8.Select key indexing termsSignals in AbstractsYour question:Your question:We asked whether X inhibits YWe asked whether X inhibits Y We hypothesized that X inhibits We hypothesized that X inhibits Y Y Your method:Your method:To answer this question,we used To answer this question,we u
33、sed To test the hypothesis that,we To test the hypothesis that,we conducted two trials conducted two trials Your results:Your results:We found thatWe found thatYour analysis:Your analysis:Descriptive statistics were used to Descriptive statistics were used to analyzeanalyzeYour answer:Your answer:We
34、 conclude that X inhibits YWe conclude that X inhibits Y Therefore,Therefore,Your implications:Your implications:We suggest that X may play a roleWe suggest that X may play a roleYour recommendations:Your recommendations:We recommend that X be We recommend that X be administered administered Errors
35、in Abstract Two serious problems do exist in the writing of abstracts.(A)There is too much background information in the abstract.(B)The findings and contributions are too sketchy.Sample Abstract 1田海龙,张向静,2013,图像中的意义与媒体的意识形态:多模态语篇分析视角,外语学刊,2013 年第2 期.提要:本文以Kress 和van Leeuwen 提出的视觉语法为理论基础，对中英媒体报道奥运会圣
36、火采集仪式时使用图像的情况进行多模态语篇分析，揭示中英媒体在这一事件的报道中体现的不同意识形态。分析表明，通过图像制造者在向量、接触、距离、视角、信息值、显著性和框架等方面的加工，图像已不再具有简单的再现意义、互动意义和构图意义，而是成为媒体表达其意识形态意义的一种方式。Sample AbstractsFlanagan,S.R.(2016).Language Orientation and Student Success in Online Learning Environments:A Case Study.MA dissertation,Arizona State University.L
37、awrence,G.P.J(2000).Teacher Belief Systems-Towards computer-mediated language learning:College ESL instruction.MA thesis,University of Toronto.Hayes,K.M.(2010).A case study of Chinese university English as a foreign language(EFL)students attitudes toward learning technologies.PhD dissertation(Ed.D.)
38、,Northern Illinois University.AcknowledgementsDefinitionDefinition:Acknowledgement is an optional item in the paper.If the Acknowledgement is an optional item in the paper.If the author has received help from someone else in the course of author has received help from someone else in the course of t
39、he study,he/she should acknowledge this.the study,he/she should acknowledge this.LocatioLocation n:It is often located It is often located after the conclusionafter the conclusion,but it can also take the,but it can also take the form of a title note.For theses,it is usually located in the form of a
40、 title note.For theses,it is usually located in the front matters.front matters.SubjectSubjects s:Co-authors,mentors,anonymous judges,institutions and donors,Co-authors,mentors,anonymous judges,institutions and donors,material providers and those providing assistance in the course of material provid
41、ers and those providing assistance in the course of the investigation and experiments.the investigation and experiments.Sentence Sentence patternpattern:We thankforWe thankfor We are grateful tofor We are grateful tofor Special thanks are due Special thanks are due Move in Acknowledgements section1.
42、Reflecting moveReflecting move:which makes some reflective comment on the writers research experience.2.Thanking moveThanking move:which give credit to individuals and institutions3.Announcing moveAnnouncing move:which accepts responsibility for any flaws or errors and dedicates the thesis to an ind
43、ividual or individuals.(Hyland 2004)Useful ExpressionsThe writing of an MA thesis is not an easy task.I am profoundly indebted toI am grateful toMany thanks to.I am the only person responsible for errors in the thesis.This thesis is dedicated to the memory of Frances Falmer.Assignment1.Abstract Writ
44、ingAbstract Writing：Assume that you have finished your own paper.Refer to the techniques and guidelines for abstract writing and write your own abstract.Keep the instructions for writers of your targeted journal in mind,especially the word limit for abstract.Assignment2.Abstract SummaryAbstract Summ
45、ary:Select a journal article from Language Learning,TESOL Quarterly,or the Modern Language Journal.Summarize the Abstract section by providing the following data:a.Backgrounda.Backgroundb.purposeb.purposec.methodc.methodd.findingsd.findingse.implications/significancee.implications/significanceAssign
46、ment3.Peer EvaluationPeer Evaluation:Please exchange your Abstract section with Three of your classmates and comment on their abstracts against the criteria for a good Method section.Assignment4.Abstract EvaluationAbstract Evaluation:Examine five abstracts and answer the following questions.1.Is eac
47、h a clear example of specific type of abstract?Which kind?2.How closely does each abstract conform to conventional guidelines/readers expectations?3.Can you easily locateThe objectives of the research?The key words identifying the methods used?The results of the research?The conclusions drawn from t
48、he results?What could you do to improve each abstract?Assignment5.Abstract Guidelines DevelopmentAbstract Guidelines Development:Find out whether the guidelines are suitable for writing a thesis abstract in your discipline.If not,consult with colleagues in your department and create preparation guid
49、elines that you will be able to use when you are writing up your thesis/dissertation.Assignment 6.Expressions for AbstractExpressions for Abstract:Skim five abstracts and cross out all the language that describes the research project,in particular.The resulting phrases are“shared language”and can be
50、 incorporated into your own writing without fear of plagiarism.Assignmentv7.Acknowledgements WritingAcknowledgements Writing:Suppose your paper has received help from d i f f e r e n t p a r t i e s.W r i t e a n acknowledgements to express your gratitude to them for their support.Assignment8.Acknow
