Abstract Writing
“Stanford Marshmallow Experiment” – Delayed Gratification in Children
Guidelines and Samples
Your abstract is a short description (250 words) of what you did and learned from your research project. It should be interesting, informative, and written for a broad audience. Don’t assume the reader knows why your work is significant.
Format (Abstracts are limited to 250 words)
Introduction
1 sentence placing the study in context and 1-2 sentences explicitly stating what the study investigated and why it was special.
Body
1-3 sentences summing up the approach, or the most important methods used to investigate the problem
Results and Discussion
1-3 sentences that summarize the MAJOR results and potential future applications.
Summary
1 sentence that summarizes why your results are significant and perhaps what you will do in the future.
Things to Avoid
- References to other literature
- References to figures or images
- Overuse of abbreviations or acronyms
- Repetition
- Including unnecessary or vague sentences
