HOW TO WRITE AN ABSTRACT

 
    Whether or not you actually write a paper about your project, you must write an abstract.  The abstract should give the essence of your project.  Your should describe your project in a brief but complete form.  It must be detailed so that a person unfamiliar with your project will have a general idea of what you tried to find out.  Scientific papers are written in the third person singular, in the past tense.  Do not use "I" or "you".

 

The abstract should include a statement of PURPOSE of you your investigation - what you attempted to find out an why this is important.
A good investigation should be set up to answer a very definite question.  The question should be simple and well defined - something that your experiment will actually test.
 
Describe HOW the investigation was done - the basic information.  Do not go into minute details in the abstract, but do give key points and the general plan of what you did.  Identify the RESULTS of the investigation/experiment - do not give all your data and observations, but summarize what you found out.

State your CONCLUSION from you investigation - what do your results mean.  Compare your results to your purpose.

* A complete abstract should be about 250 words.  Remember, the judges will read your abstract.  It is an important part of your project.

The specific margin widths and spacing for the abstract will be given to you by your teacher.  Be sure you get them and follow them.  Many teachers give out a form with an outline of black margin lines on it.  An easy way to type your abstract is to put that form underneath a clean sheet of typing paper and thread both through the typewriter.  You will be able to see the dark lines and should type the information inside the lines.  If you use a word processor or computer, set your margins as specified on the sheet from your teacher.

The abstract on your backboard should only have the title and written material, no names of people (not yours or your teacher) nor your school.  The abstract that you turn in to you teacher should have all information.  If you type your abstract you can either type two copies or cover up the names and photocopy it.  If you use a word processor, simply delete the names and print another copy.  Remember, the abstract on your backboard should not have any names.