Guidelines for Cut and Paste Method

As you read through your own paper, highlight or copy sentences which summarize the entire paper or individual sections or sub-points of your main argument.
Write (or copy) a sentence that summarizes the main point.
Add sentences that summarize sections (or write new sentences for sections that lack a concise summary sentence).
If you're writing a descriptive abstract, you're ready to begin revising.
If you're writing an informative abstract, look through your paper for details, particularly of key findings or major supporting arguments and major conclusions. Paste these into your abstract and proceed to editing for consistency and length--frequently in the original "cuts" you will still have more detail than is necessary in an abstract.

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Writing Abstracts