How to Write a Dissertation Abstract – Guide from Experts

Writing a dissertation abstract is no easy task. For some students, this process can be really challenging, and it can even sink them into deep despair. However, nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. As long as you know some good tips on how to write a dissertation abstract, you will not struggle with the whole writing process.

A dissertation abstract is the first thing that the examiner reads, so it must be more than perfect. In this article, we will explain to you the meaning of the dissertation abstract and the process of writing it. So, if you are desperately looking for tips on how to write an abstract for a dissertation, then you came to the right place. Keep on reading!

What Is an Abstract?

So, what is a dissertation abstract? As we have already mentioned, an abstract is the first part of your dissertation that people read, which makes it a very important component of your work. Moreover, many will read only that part. So, let’s take a closer look at the dissertation abstract definition.

A dissertation abstract is a short piece of writing which gives your reader an overview of your dissertation and allows them to understand if it is interesting enough for them to read. Basically, it is a summary of the whole dissertation, so it must present all the major elements of your work. While this summary is a very short piece of text, still it is not something that you can write at the last moment before handing in the dissertation.

You need to take it very seriously. Otherwise, you would have to turn to a professional dissertation writing service.

What Should Be in It?

So, what about the structure? You have to understand that this kind of paper should be logically structured. The structure of an abstract must mirror the structure of the whole dissertation and represent all the main elements of it.

An abstract is a mini-statement of the dissertation, and it must present all the moves that are in the larger text. Thus, if your dissertation has five chapters, then your summary must contain information about each of them. You need to make sure that all of the elements are there – what you were researching, the methodological approach, the list of references and the results of your research. The important thing is to understand that this piece of writing is not about what you will do but what you have already done. We also recommend you consult your professor before you start working on it. Otherwise, drop the hassle and turn to a cheap dissertation writing service. It will make the job easier for you.

In a nutshell, while writing an abstract, think about the following questions:

• What problem are you trying to solve?
• How did you go about solving that problem? What methods did you use?
• What were the results?
• What is the value of your research?

A good abstract has the following qualities:

• has logically structured paragraphs;
• uses intro/body/conclusion structure;
• mirror the structure of the whole work;
• summarize the information (do not add new ideas!) and demonstrate the value of your work to the scientific world.

How Long Should It Be?

In order to find out the dissertation abstract length, you need to talk to your academic advisor. The truth is, the length of such paper can vary by discipline and educational institute’s requirements. In general, it needs to be done within the word limit of 250-350 words. When you are writing an abstract, you need to find a balance between too much information and too little. So, don’t go on too long as the usual abstract should not exceed one page of text. Keep in mind that exceeding the limitations in length can lead to a serious failure, so try to stay within a single-page limit.

Useful tips for writing a perfect abstract for a thesis

First of all, it will help to take a look at some other abstracts in your field. Take note of the best and understand what makes them that good. It can be really helpful especially if you are having trouble figuring out what your summary should look like.

To write a perfect abstract follow these steps:

• start working on it after you have finished writing a thesis;
• don’t forget about the keywords (try to highlight no more than 5-7 terms);
• divide your paper into short paragraphs;
• look up the formatting guidelines (you can lose points on poor formatting);
• proofread your work;
• give your text to someone who has not read your thesis, so they could tell you if your abstract makes good sense.

Writing an abstract can be a real challenge, but by paying close attention to the information above, you can achieve some great results. One more thing to keep in mind: there is an option of a Master’s dissertation proposal writing service – if neither of all tips above can solve your problem.

Now, you can successfully proceed with your writing!