ESSP 311L
Dr. R. Rinehart
Writing Abstracts

 Being able to write a good abstract is of great importance in communicating scientific [and other types] of information. See:

“How to Write an Abstract” from George Mason University
<http://www.gmu.edu/departments/writingcenter/handouts/abstract.html>
“How to Write an Abstract” by Phil Koopman at Carnegie Mellon University
<http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~koopman/essays/abstract.html>
for some very useful tips.
“Writing up Research: The Abstract” from the Asian Institute of Technology
http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/el21abst.htm
“How to Write an Abstract” by Kenneth A. Small at UC Irvine
http://www.galaxygoo.org/resources/abstract_writing.html
for additional insight

 Even though it is the first item in the report, the abstract is written after the rest of the report is complete.

Real-life sample:

Determination of the Formation Constant of Monothiocyanato Iron(III) in Aqueous Solution

Timothy Myers and Ronald W. Rinehart*
Chemistry Department, Monterey Peninsula College

 Abstract

        The equilibrium constant for the reaction Fe3+(aq) + SCN-(aq) ⇌ FeSCN2+(aq) was determined by systematically varying the initial concentration of thiocyanate in the presence of a constant initial concentration of iron(III) and measuring the resultant concentration of FeSCN2+ photometrically. As part of the experiment, the wavelength of minimum transmittance (maximum absorbance) for FeSCN2+ (lmax = 455 nm) and the extinction coefficient at lmax (emax = 4933) were determined. Values for Keq obtained ranged from 370 to 482; the average of five determinations was 431.

 

* To whom correspondence should be addressed

© Ronald W. Rinehart, 2003