How to write abstracts (I): Structure and tone

Anthony Haynes (Creative Director, Frontinus Ltd) writes: Abstracts are of central importance to grey literature: some forms of grey literature -- proposals, for example, or working papers -- come accompanied by abstracts; and abstracts themselves (which are often used independently of the texts they're designed to accompany) constitute a form of grey literature.

This episode is designed to help listeners to create abstracts effectively and without undue difficulty. It does so by outlining (a) the content required in an abstract and (b) ways of sequencing content to achieve narrative flow. In the process, the episode distinguishes between obligatory and optional content.

Resources

Unit V of #EnginComms provides links to a video and how-to slides, together with links to other creators' resources in various forms: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_oHWjm3yg7Z29K31gE6niS4KWpFmUNyNTgbTIhNCFNQ/edit?usp=sharing.

Karen L. McKee has produced two excellent videos, one on written abstracts and one on graphical. The respective links are:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYkXA6gDRlg
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGwA-j1wikk

Credits

• Sound production: Bart Hallmark
• Music: from Handel's Water Music, courtesy of the United States Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra

Further listening

If you enjoyed listening to this episode, you might enjoy our episodes on creating word clouds and research posters. The respective links are here:

• https://thegreylitcafe.buzzsprout.com/1936705/10339609-wordclouds-a-neglected-form-of-grey-literature
• https://thegreylitcafe.buzzsprout.com/1936705/10507666-posters-as-a-form-of-research-communication

How Frontinus Ltd can help

Frontinus has extensive experience of helping organisations and their authors to write abstracts. Our services include writing, editing, and training. To discuss your needs and see how we add value, please contact us via our website: http://frontinus.org.uk/.