Guidelines for Abstracts - Humanities
Abstracts vary in style and format by field and discipline. Please consult the following questions and categories as guidelines for your given field as you prepare your abstracts (Adapted from SCCUR guidelines).
- Topic: What is the subject area of your research?
- Question: What is the problem or question that your research attempted to solve? What is its importance?
- Thesis: Based on your investigation and analysis, what is your main argument? Your thesis should encapsulate your main findings and interpretations.
- Evidence and Methodology: What is your evidence for this thesis? How did you collect this evidence? How did you arrive at your thesis?
- Conclusions: What is the significance of your findings?
Tips for All Fields:
- Make sure your abstract is understandable to a wide audience.
- Consult with your faculty mentor as to whether your abstracts should be written in the first or third person, and what is appropriate for your project.
- Take time to prepare your abstract. Write drafts and revise in order to capture your project precisely.
- Create a clear title that incorporates the keywords, key points and findings, and/or main ideas of your project.
- Review your abstract carefully before submission, checking for errors, typos, and clarity.
- Seek input from your faculty mentor and be sure to receive your mentor’s approval.