If there is one piece of writing that students tend to consider too mentally taxing, too physically draining and too intellectually bankrupting, then it is the task of dissertation writing. It is a task that can stretch itself for weeks, months and in most cases, for years, as most students prefer procrastinating and delaying this task for as long as they can.
A dissertation requires a student to put their best foot forward, as they aren’t only required to think out of the box, but they are also required to bring nuance to their writing, which is otherwise missing, due to the daily taxation and exhaustion they course their mind through.
An abstract of a dissertation comprises of a short and condensed summary of what can be expected in the ensuing narrative; it enables potential readers to review and gauge whether the dissertation is worth reading and it primes the headspace of the reader, as they get a gist of what they’re immersing themselves in.
That being said, writers and students also need to realise that even though an abstract is placed at the very beginning of the document. It is, however, most certainly the last element that needs to be written by the writer, as it comprises details that can change or can experience a shift through the course of writing out a dissertation. Hence, be diligent enough to compress each detail that stands out in your dissertation, as including crucial elements is of paramount importance.
Follow through on the below-mentioned elements to comprehend how to map out an abstract for a dissertation.
Keep It Short
There is no need to stretch out your writing, as the key to crack open an excellent abstract is to cut straight to the chase. Rather than rambling on for paragraphs, condense your narrative and see to it that you tie up the narrative within 150-300 words, as the shorter it is, the easier it will be for the reader to understand.
Moreover, it shouldn’t be too complicated in nature, as an individual with no knowledge of your dissertation, should be able to understand your concept.
Comprehensive
The abstract mustn’t lack any details, as you mustn’t leave the reader with doubts lodged into their headspace. The objectives, the literature reviewed, the methodologies utilised, the process of analysis and the conclusion should be presented, as it isn’t wise to leave surprises for your readers.
The abstract must detail the research problem, which are the theoretical and practical problems that the research solves. It should comprise the aims, which are the intentions and basic purpose of the research and it should comprise your thesis statement, which speaks about you’re looking to argue through the entire length of your narrative.
Showcase Your Prowess
From the outset, you need to set the tone right, as displaying an authoritative academic tone will enable you to represent yourself as someone who understands and is fully aware of each element that is engaging with your narrative.
In a nutshell, to write out an impeccable abstract, the writer needs to focus on being clear and coherent with their writing, as anything otherwise will cloud the thought process of the reader.