|
Find key words
Get information
Take notes
Write background
Choose a plan
Make a plan
Write paragraphs
Link paragraphs
Make sections
Write results
Write the conclusion
Write recommendations
Write introduction
Write appendix
Write abstract
Give references
Edit
Write list of contents
Format
Writing process
Problems
Example
|
DID YOU KNOW |
|
REPORT
WRITING PROCESS : |
STEP
15 |
 What is an abstract?
The abstract
 |
is a summary of the whole report |
|
contains the main
points but no new points |
Why do I need it?
It saves time for readers who are busy or who can't
understand the details.
Where do I place the abstract?
It should always follow the list of contents :
|
your abstract is a summary of what is in your report |
|
you can't summarise your report until you see what you have said |
What's the difference between the abstract and the introduction?
The difference is that
|
the abstract introduces the whole report |
|
the introduction introduces the investigation section only |
|
 |
Although the abstract repeats some of the same information,
it is different from the introduction. It explains
what the reader will find in the whole report. The information is
repeated because they are for different purposes and even for different readers.
What should I put in the
abstract?
Your job is to tell your reader quickly and clearly what
the document says - you are saving them time. So be accurate, and say the following :
|
what you
did |
|
how you
did it |
|
why you did it |
|
who you
did it for |
|
who funded it |
|
the parameters or limits of your investigation |
|
what you found out (results, conclusions) |
|
what you recommend |
NOTE :
|
the abstract should have no new ideas in it which
you have not already discussed in the main part of your work
|
|
the points in your abstract should be in the same order
as the discussion in your report
|
|
it should not be more than one paragraph long - one page maximum
|
|
don't use the word 'I' or refer to yourself in a report - use the passive or turn it round : 'The findings suggest that...' or 'The study concludes that...' or 'Environmental factors
are shown to be...' |
 Here is an example of an abstract for the following topic:
Write a
report in which you investigate the viability of renewable energy
sources for the eastern Cape for the period 2000-2005.
ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken by the
Department of the Environment on behalf of the Municipality of Port Elizabeth. It was
begun in January 1998 and completed January 1999. The
investigation was funded by grants from Companies and Institutions listed in Appendix 2.
The aim of the study is
to establish a policy for energy funding for the region from 2000 - 2005, within the
limits of the regional budget. The study researched existing systems, and also recent work
in energy production systems overseas. This research was undertaken by L.M. Mati, who
visited institutions in Israel and Sweden in June - July 1998. The results of his
researches are attached (Appendix 3).
The study looks at the relative costs
of renewable and non-renewable sources of energy (Section 4) and shows that renewable
systems will in the long term be cost effective (Section 4.4). A wide variety of renewable
energy sources were investigated (Section 4.8 and Appendix 3). Next environmental
impact assessments of various ways of generating power are examined (5.1 - 5.5) . These
are overwhelmingly in favor of renewable sources of energy (5.6, 5.7, 5.8). The related
concerns of community health are investigated (Section 6). Coal and oil
mining and processing are shown to produce health problems at local and national levels
(6.6) The report looks at long-term and short-term employment
predictions (7). Traditional sources of power are labour intensive. Then the employment
statistics for subsidiary and related industries are investigated (8).
Finally predictions for the long term sustainability of both types of
industry are investigated (9). This section weighs the relative importance of employment,
environment and power production, with the aim of providing the Region with guidelines
for investment in power production for the period 2000 - 2005 (Section 12).
Changes in investment policy are
recommended, with an increasing shift towards renewable sources of power production by the
year 2001 (Section 12.5). A major shift away from conventional energy production is recommended as a long term strategy, but is not
suggested for the period 2000 - 2005 (12.6). A move towards
(nationally subsidised) localised sources of renewable energy by 2005 is however
recommended. It is suggested
that a task team of experts should be set up in the Region to oversee the process
(Appendix4). |
 
|
