Library & Learning Centre, Sha Tin College

An abstract is a short summary of your

completed work.
It helps the reader learn more about your
research and what is contained in your report.

Make it interesting so that the reader wants to
continue reading your report or research

Informational Abstract
Descriptive Abstract
Informational Abstract:
Communicates the contents of reports
Includes: Purpose, Method, Scope, Result,
Conclusion, Recommendations.
Highlights essential points.
Is usually short (1 paragraph to 1-2 pages)
depending on the length of the report.
Allows the reader to decide whether they want to
read the report.
Descriptive Abstract:
Tells what the report contains.
Include: Purpose, Method and Scope.
Is always short.. Approx. 100 words or less.
Introduces the subject to the reader.
Uses one or more well-developed paragraphs
which are unified, coherent, concise and are
able to stand alone.
Includes an introduction, a body and a
conclusion.
It should follow the chronology of the report.
Provides a logical connection between the
material included.
Is a summary of the report and does not add
information.
Reread your report: look at purpose,
methods, scope, results, conclusions &
recommendations.
After rereading write a rough draft without
looking back at your report.
Revise your draft so that it only includes what
is necessary and what is within the word
count.
Be concise.