How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples

An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a dissertation or research paper). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers know exactly what your paper is about.

Although the structure may vary slightly depending on your discipline, your abstract should describe the purpose of your work, the methods you’ve used, and the conclusions you’ve drawn.

One common way to structure your abstract is to use the IMRaD structure. This stands for:

Abstracts are usually around 100–300 words, but there’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check the relevant requirements.

In a dissertation or thesis, include the abstract on a separate page, after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents.

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Table of contents

1. Abstract example
2. When to write an abstract
3. Step 1: Introduction
4. Step 2: Methods
5. Step 3: Results
6. Step 4: Discussion
7. Keywords
8. Tips for writing an abstract
9. Frequently asked questions about abstracts

Abstract example

Hover over the different parts of the abstract to see how it is constructed.

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Shona McCombes

Shona has a bachelor's and two master's degrees, so she's an expert at writing a great thesis. She has also worked as an editor and teacher, working with students at all different levels to improve their academic writing.

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The introduction leads your reader into the dissertation. Describe the topic, focus, relevance, and objectives of your research.

Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

The dissertation acknowledgements are where you thank the people who helped you during your thesis or dissertation process.

Dissertation title page

As well as your dissertation's title, the cover page should include your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date.