1、Unit Eight Writing the abstractTeaching Aims: Students should be able to 1. know some information about the abstract2. learn how to Write the abstract Teaching PlanI. Major types and contents of abstractsII. Suggestions about writing the abstractI. Major types and contents of abstracts1. DefinitionA
2、n abstract is a short description, or an accurate condensation, of the contents of a piece of writing.2. TypesTwo major typesDescriptive abstractInformative abstract1)Descriptive abstractIt describes what the paper is about, the topic, purpose, scope, and method of the paper.It helps the reader to d
3、ecide if they will read the paper.But it often does not offer information about details of results, conclusions or recommendations.2) Informative abstractIt often usually longer than descriptive one.It is often written after the research or the paper has been finished.It not only describes the topic
4、, purpose, scope, and method of the paper, but also offer information about details of results, conclusions or recommendations.3. Length It could be of different lengths according to the purpose or requirements.For a BA thesis, an abstract is usually 200 to 300 words.It is usually within one page an
5、d written in a single para, or no more than 3 paras.II. Suggestions about writing the abstract1. Approaches1) You can work on the thesis statement, list the main points from the outline, use topic sentences of the major paras and produce your abstract.2) You can also read the paper carefully, underl
6、ine the important places, and then write your abstract.2. Suggestions1) Make the abstract as informative as the nature of the document will permit, so that readers may decide, quickly and accurately, whether they need to read the entire document.2) Coney information in the original document accurate
7、ly and concisely, with an absence of any attempt to arouse emotion. The exclamation mark (!) is never used in an abstract, and question mark (?) is seldom used.3) Use standard terms. Try to avoid using abbreviations and symbols. 4) Employ Standard E with complete sentences, and follow conventional g
8、rammar and punctuation rules. Both active and passive voices, first and third persons can be used. Omit needless words, phrases and sentences.5) Avoid including background information or citing the work of others in the abstract, unless the study is replication or evaluation of their work.2. Some ad
9、vice about preparing an abstract1) Read through the article of a paper.2) Underline or write down its main points and major supporting evidence.3) Extract the gist of each section or cluster of related paras; give special attention to introductory and concluding.4) Shape your abstract from the points you have underlined or the summaries you have made of each major part of the article.5) Link your points with helpful transitions6) Test the abstract against the article, evaluating how well it reflects what the article contains.3 / 3
