Home Guides Writing Abstracts Word Limit for the Abstract

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

Word Limit for the Abstract

Back to Use of Details

Some publications limit the length of abstracts to no more than 75 words. Others allow abstracts of complex documents to run up to 350 words. Be sure to check the publication’s guidelines. If it has a low word limit, concentrate on capturing only main ideas from your paper. Don’t try to cut a 200-word abstract down to 125 words by simply cutting connecting words, articles, etc. Even the shortest abstracts need to be readable, not telegraphic.

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