Use of Details

Introduction

Definition of Abstract

Purposes for Abstracts

Types of Abstracts

Bibliographic Citation or Identification

Processes for Writing Abstracts

Key Issues in Preparing Abstracts

Concise, Accurate Statement of the Main Idea

Organization of Subpoints

Use of Details

Complexity of the Paper

Word Limit for the Abstract

Purposes Readers Have

Revising and Editing

Abstracts in Specific Disciplines

Additional Resources

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Authors & Contributors

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Use of Details

Back to Key Issues in Preparing Abstracts

Details should be used judiciously in abstracts. Determining the amount of detail to provide depends a great deal on what type of abstract you are writing (informative or descriptive), the complexity of the paper, the word limit for the abstract, and the purposes you imagine readers of your abstract have for reading.

Complexity of the Paper
Word Limit for the Abstract
Readers' Purposes