{"id":123,"date":"2020-06-17T15:45:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T19:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/nld\/?page_id=123"},"modified":"2026-10-10T18:55:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T22:55:06","slug":"communications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/nld\/communications\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing an effective abstract"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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<\/span>Nonlinear Dynamics Laboratory<\/p>\n

Writing an effective abstract<\/h1><\/div>\n\"\"\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The abstract is the part of a paper most people read, and often the only part. Editors read it first when they decide whether to send a manuscript for review. Write it last, when you know what the paper shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What an abstract contains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One paragraph, roughly one or two sentences per item:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Context.<\/strong> The problem and why it matters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Gap.<\/strong> What current methods cannot do.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Approach.<\/strong> What you did: the system, the method, and whether the work is experimental, numerical or analytical.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Results.<\/strong> The main findings, with numbers where you have them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Significance.<\/strong> What the results change, and for whom.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Most of the words belong to the approach and the results. A reader should be able to state your main finding without opening the paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n