RENEE PHILLIPS - MENTOR FOR ARTISTS
Helping Artists Achieve Their Fullest Potential
Writing About Your Abstract Art
By Renee Phillips 2 Comments
Most artists I know find writing artist’s statements very difficult. One might agree that for artists who work in the style of realism, it is an easier task to communicate their inspiration because they are dealing with tangible and natural references. However, if you’re an abstract artist the challenges are very different. How do you convey to others how you feel when choosing your colors, shapes, forms and techniques? The myriad of internal, intangible forces may be difficult to articulate.
For this article let’s take a look at several different abstract artists and what I have written about their art and their statements. I hope these examples offer some guidance when writing about your abstract art.
I love to write about art and artists. If you would like me to write an Art Review in which I write about the strengths and unique qualities about your art, visit this page.
Karen Johnston Writes About Soft Textures and Brilliant Tones
Karen Johnston, studiokarenjohnston.com, lives in Nashville, Tennessee and refers to herself as an intuitive, abstract painter. She won a Featured Artist Membership Award in the Healing Power of Art & ARTISTS “Art That Lifts Our Spirits” exhibition. We asked artists to submit, along with their JPEG images, a 60-word statement. This requirement poses the challenge for them is to be as clear and concise as possible. As you can imagine, some artists rise to the task with success and it separates the artists who have a clear vision of the kind of artist those who don’t.
For her award-winning submission Karen wrote, “Lingering on interior moments and bringing them to life with soft gestures and brilliant tones is the essence of my work. My joy of nurturing emotion until it rises to the heights of hope and light radiates from my canvases. Touches of whimsy, intuitive marks, and passages of color lyrically combine in my abstract narratives to poetically inspire the spirit.”
Eva Breitfuß Transports Us and Raises Consciousness
Eva Breitfuss, known as Eva Breitfuß, evabreitfuss.space, is a contemporary artist whose paintings transport us on an enthralling, multi-dimensional, visceral journey of transcendent self-discovery.
A profusion of abstract styles culminates in her versatile artistic vocabulary. She orchestrates minimal and reductive imagery and open spaces as well as geometric shapes, detailed designs, and intricate compositions. Every line, color and shape she chooses reflects a purposeful intention to communicate conceptual breadth and depth.
With unerring prowess, Eva lures us into spacious orbits, curvilinear forms, concentric circles, undulating waves and crossing directional lines. Her images release an exalted crescendo and emanate a profound vibrational energy.
You can read a complete Art Review I wrote on The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website
Britt Michaelian Creates Transcendent Paintings Infused With Healing Energy
Britt Michaelian is a contemporary abstract painter and a quintessential artist/healer. Her transformative paintings are infused with spiritual intuition and healing modalities. They emanate a universal and eternal presence of equilibrium, tranquility, and restoration.
The large enveloping scale of Britt’s paintings embraces us with an immersive and transcendent presence. They conceptualize invisible yet visceral forces inherent in the inner and outer worlds of our existence.
As an artist she applies her depth of knowledge and extensive creative skills anointed with her love for helping others heal. It is worth noting that Britt has a master’s degree in art therapy which contributes to her creative vision.
Read an Art Review I wrote on The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website.
Steevie Jane Parks Unites the Healing Dynamics of Colors and Forms
Steevie Jane Parks creates awe-inspiring, multi-layered abstract paintings. She is highly proficient in applying the dynamics of color theory and integrates a range of hues with organic and curvilinear elements. Her art combines her many artistic skills with intuition and engages viewers visually and viscerally.
Steevie’s vibrant painting “Creativity” awakens our inner spirit. Symbolic forms and contrasting colors emphasize dynamism and intensity. The mesmerizing glowing forms conjure visions of stained glass and kaleidoscopes.
Biomorphic elements also enliven many of Steevie’s paintings. However, they transcend their physical details in favor of illuminating their intrinsic essence. Her animated references to patterns from the natural world are often inspired by painting en plein air .
Would You Like Me to Write An Art Review About Your Art?
I love to write about art and artists. if you would like me to write an art review in which i write about the strengths and unique qualities about your art, visit this page., more articles to help you write your artist’s statement.
How to Write Your Artist’s Statement Art and Artist’s Statements – Quotes by Famous Artists Quick Tips For Writing Your Artist’s Statement Write Your Artist’s Statement in 60 Words or Less Follow The 5 P’s When Writing Your Artist’s Statement Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Artist’s Statement Fun Techniques to Help You Write Your Artist’s Statement
About Renee Phillips
Renée Phillips is a mentor and advocate for artists helping them achieve their fullest potential. She provides career advice, writing services, and promotion for artists from beginners to advanced. She organizes online exhibitions as Director/Curator of Manhattan Arts International www.ManhattanArts.com and Founder of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS www.healing-power-of-art.org. As an arts' advocate she has served on the advisory boards of several non-profit arts organizations. She lives in New York, NY.
04/02 at 8:39 am
Was happy to see Michael Amrose’s input. I love his work. Bought one several years ago and still ‘am in love’. Brings out a lot of meditative and spiritual feelings.
08/16 at 7:51 pm
Great article, so sorry I did not know about it.
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Writing Services for Artists
My specialty is writing Art Reviews and Art Statements / "Praise Quotes" for artists to use for promotion... on their websites, social media profiles, exhibition catalogues, grant submissions, blog posts, press releases, artists’ books and more. My writing for artists has led to increasing their art sales, attracting publicity, gaining … More...
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Writing with Abstract Art
In her essay “Art Objects,” Jeanette Winterson challenges readers to experiment with looking at an original work of art (ideally something you like, at least a little) for an entire hour. She supposes that over the course of that hour, one would become increasingly uncomfortable, distracted, and irritated, but also more imaginative: “I can make up stories about the characters on the canvas much as art historians like to identify people in Rembrandt’s The Night Watch [….] A picture is its subject matter isn’t it? Oh, dear, mine’s an abstract. Never mind, would that pink suit me?”
Looking for inspiration in figurative art, art depicting real-world objects, offers many possibilities, some of which I’ve covered before . But what can you do with abstract art? Winterson writes, “art is an extraordinarily faithful transmitter. Our job is to keep our receiving equipment in good working order.” And the way to do this is by taking it in. What do you see? What does it say to you?
When I’ve taught ekphrastic writing, I’ve never had students look at a work of art for an entire hour (though I hope one day one of them will try it out on their own and let me know how it goes). Once a quarter, I do usually invite them to look at a work of art of their choice for ten minutes. They don’t write in that time, just look. Then, they can either write whatever comes to mind, or they can describe that painting, sculpture, video-on-a-loop, etc. and describe the experience of looking at it for that full ten minutes—what thoughts, emotions, visceral reactions went through them? On the surface, that might seem like a very basic writing prompt, but the act of looking for even ten minutes can be a challenge and writing from it can be fruitful.
I hope you’ll try the open-ended prompt above. Nevertheless, here are some more directed prompts for looking at abstract art. You might do them at a local art gallery. You might do them with Amy Frierson’s digital illustration above. Or you might apply them to one of the works of art in this virtual gallery I pulled together on the Google Art Project. If you’re just getting started looking at art, see my blog post “Eye Want” for some more useful starting points.
The Prompts
1. What if a work of abstract art resembled the emotional state, or even emotional journey, of a fictional character? Who is that character? What is that emotional state? How did he or she get there?
2. Look at the art through the perspective of one of your characters in a work-in-progress. What is their interpretation of the piece? Does their interpretation incite them to do anything? If yes, what? How does it move your story forward?
3 . What if the design of an abstract work suggested the structure for a piece of writing? Is there something compelling about its design that you can transfer to your readers’ experience?
4. In Image to Word: Art and Creative Writing , Kathleen-Walsh Piper offers these considerations for looking at abstract sculpture: Consider the sculpture’s lines of force, bearing, weight, mass, material, surface texture, whether it seems to imply movement or stillness. Now imagine the abstract sculpture as if it were a person. Describe the energy and gestures of the person you might imagine .
5. When I gave Walsh-Piper’s prompt to my most recent class at the Henry Art Gallery’s exhibit of Katinka Bock ’s sculptures, the majority of the class found it difficult (I think I actually gave them too much time for it), with the exception of one student who seemed to come up with dozens of ideas. Later, one of the students who’d found the exercise challenging wrote a beautiful story about her chosen sculpture not as a person but as a shrine . Brilliant. So there is another prompt for you: imagine the sculpture is a shrine. What is it a shrine to? Do people bring it offerings? What kind of offerings?
If you do end up taking Jeanette Winterson on her challenge and look at a work of art for an hour, I would love to read about your experience, right here in the comments. In any case, I hope you’re having a dreamy August.
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Visual Analysis: How to Analyze a Painting and Write an Essay
A visual analysis essay is an entry-level essay sometimes taught in high school and early university courses. Both communications and art history students use visual analysis to understand art and other visual messages. In our article, we will define the term and give an in-depth guide on how to look at a piece of art and write a visual analysis essay. Stay tuned until the end for a handy visual analysis essay example from our graduate paper writing service .
What Is Visual Analysis?
Visual analysis is essential in studying Communication, English, and Art History. It's a fundamental part of writing about art found in scholarly books, art magazines, and even undergraduate essays. You might encounter a visual analysis as a standalone assignment or as part of a larger research paper.
When you do this type of assignment, you're examining the basic elements of an artwork. These include things like its colors, lines, textures, and size. But it goes beyond just describing these elements. A good analysis also considers the historical context in which the artwork was created and tries to understand what it might mean to different people.
It also encourages you to look closely at details and think deeply about what an artwork is trying to say. This kind of analysis makes you appreciate art more and teaches you how to explain your ideas clearly based on what you see in the artwork.
What is the Purpose of Visual Analysis?
The purpose of a visual analysis is to recognize and understand the visual choices the artist made in creating the artwork. By looking closely at different elements, analysts can learn a lot about how an artwork was made and why the artist made certain choices.
For example, studying how colors are used or how things are arranged in the artwork can reveal its themes or the emotions it's trying to convey. Also, understanding the time period when the artwork was created helps us see how societal changes and cultural ideas influenced its creation and how people reacted to it.
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How to Write a Visual Analysis Step-by-Step
To create an insightful visual analysis, you should not only examine the artwork in detail but also situate it within a broader cultural and historical framework. This process can be broken down into three main steps:
- Identifying, describing, and analyzing the visual material
- Situating the visual material in its context
- Interpreting and responding to the content of the visual material.
Let’s discuss each of these steps in more detail.
Step 1: Identify, Describe, and Analyze the Visual Material
Begin by clearly identifying the visual material you will analyze. This could be a painting, photograph, sculpture, advertisement, or any other visual artwork. Provide essential information such as the title, artist, date, and medium.
Next, offer a detailed description of the visual material. Focus on the key elements and principles of design, such as:
- Composition
Describe what you see without interpreting its meaning yet. For instance, note the use of bright colors, the placement of objects, the presence of figures, and the overall layout. This descriptive part forms the foundation of your analysis, allowing your reader to visualize the artwork.
Afterward, consider how the artist uses elements like contrast, balance, emphasis, movement, and harmony. Analyze the techniques and methods used and how they contribute to the overall effect of the piece.
Step 2: Situate the Visual Material in its Context
To fully understand a piece of visual material, you need to consider its historical and cultural context. Start by researching the time period when the artwork was created. Look at the social, political, and economic conditions of that time, and see if there were any cultural movements that might have influenced the artwork.
Next, learn about the artist and their reasons for creating the visual material. Find out about the artist's life, other works they have made, and any statements they have made about this piece. Knowing the artist’s background can give you valuable insights into the artwork's purpose and message.
Finally, think about how the visual material was received by people when it was first shown and how it has impacted others over time. Look for reviews and public reactions, and see if it influenced other works or movements. This will help you understand the significance of the visual material in the larger cultural and artistic context.
Step 3: Interpret and Respond to the Content of the Visual Material
Now, combine your description, analysis, and understanding of the context to interpret what the visual material means. Talk about the themes, symbols, and messages the artwork conveys. Think about what it reveals about human experiences, society, or specific issues. Use evidence from earlier steps to support your interpretation.
Afterward, consider your own reaction to the visual material. How does it personally resonate with you? What emotions or thoughts does it provoke? Your personal response adds a subjective aspect to your analysis, making it more relatable.
Finally, summarize your findings and emphasize the importance of the visual material. Highlight key aspects from your identification, description, analysis, context, and interpretation. Then, it concludes by reinforcing the impact and significance of the visual material in both its original setting and its enduring influence.
Who Does Formal Analysis of Art
Most people who face visual analysis essays are Communication, English, and Art History students. Communications students explore mediums such as theater, print media, news, films, photos — basically anything. Comm is basically a giant, all-encompassing major where visual analysis is synonymous with Tuesday.
Art History students study the world of art to understand how it developed. They do visual analysis with every painting they look it at and discuss it in class.
English Literature students perform visual analysis too. Every writer paints an image in the head of their reader. This image, like a painting, can be clear, or purposefully unclear. It can be factual, to the point, or emotional and abstract like Ulysses, challenging you to search your emotions rather than facts and realities.
6 Questions to Answer Before Analyzing a Piece of Art
According to our experienced term paper writer , there are six important questions to ask before you start analyzing a piece of art. Answering these questions can make writing your analysis much easier:
- Who is the artist, and what type of art do they create? - To place the artwork in context, you should identify the artist and understand the type of art they create.
- What was the artist's goal in creating this painting? - Determine why the artist created the artwork. Was it to convey a message, evoke emotions, or explore a theme?
- When and where was this artwork made? - Knowing the time and place of creation helps understand the cultural and historical influences on the artwork.
- What is the main focus or theme of this artwork? - Identify what the artwork is about. This could be a person, place, object, or abstract concept.
- Who was the artwork created for? - To provide insight into its style and content, consider who the artist intended to reach with their work.
- What historical events or cultural factors influenced this painting? - Understanding the historical background can reveal more about the significance and meaning of the artwork.
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Elements of the Visual Analysis
To fully grasp formal analysis, it's important to differentiate between the elements and principles of visual analysis. The elements are the basic building blocks used to create a piece of art. These include:
| Art Element 🎨 | Description 📝 |
|---|---|
| ✏️Line | A mark with length and direction, which can define shapes, create textures, and suggest movement. |
| 🌗Value | The lightness or darkness of a color, which helps to create depth and contrast. |
| 🔶Shapes | Two-dimensional areas with a defined boundary, such as circles, squares, and triangles. |
| 🔲Forms | Three-dimensional objects with volume and thickness, like cubes, spheres, and cylinders. |
| 🌌Space | The area around, between, and within objects, which can be used to create the illusion of depth. |
| 🌈Color | The hues, saturation, and brightness in artwork, used to create mood and visual interest. |
| 🖐️Texture | The surface quality of an object, which can be actual (how it feels) or implied (how it looks like it feels). |
Principles of the Visual Analysis
The principles, on the other hand, are how these elements are combined and used together to create the overall effect of the artwork. These principles include:
| Principle of Art 🎨 | Description 📝 |
|---|---|
| ⚖️Balance | The distribution of visual weight in a composition, which can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. |
| 🌗Contrast | The difference between elements, such as light and dark, to create visual interest. |
| 🏃♂️Movement | The suggestion or illusion of motion in an artwork, guiding the viewer’s eye through the piece. |
| 🎯Emphasis | The creation of a focal point to draw attention to a particular area or element. |
| 🔄Pattern | The repetition of elements to create a sense of rhythm and consistency. |
| 📏Proportion | The relationship in size between different parts of an artwork, contributing to its harmony. |
| 🔗Unity | The sense of cohesiveness in an artwork, where all elements and principles work together effectively. |
Visual Analysis Outline
It’s safe to use the five-paragraph essay structure for your visual analysis essay. If you are looking at a painting, take the most important aspects of it that stand out to you and discuss them in relation to your thesis.
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In the introduction, you should:
- Introduce the Artwork : Mention the title, artist, date, and medium of the artwork.
- Provide a Brief Description : Offer a general overview of what the artwork depicts.
- State the Purpose : Explain the goal of your analysis and what aspects you will focus on.
- Thesis Statement : Present a clear thesis statement that outlines your main argument or interpretation of the artwork.
The body of the visual analysis is where you break down the visual material into its component parts and examine each one in detail. This section should be structured logically, with each paragraph focusing on a specific element or aspect of the visual material.
- Description: Start with a detailed description of the visual material. Describe what you see without interpreting or analyzing it yet. Mention elements such as color, line, shape, texture, space, and composition. For instance, if analyzing a painting, describe the subject matter, the arrangement of figures, the use of light and shadow, etc.
- Analysis of Visual Elements: Analyze how each visual element contributes to the overall effect of the material. Discuss the use of color (e.g., warm or cool tones, contrasts, harmonies), the role of lines (e.g., leading lines, contours), the shapes (e.g., geometric, organic), and the texture (e.g., smooth, rough). Consider how these elements work together to create a certain mood or message.
- Contextual Analysis: Examine how the context in which the visual material was created and is being viewed influences its interpretation. This includes historical, cultural, social, and political factors. Discuss how these contextual elements impact the meaning and reception of the visual material.
- Interpretation: Discuss your interpretation of the visual material. Explain how the visual elements and contextual factors contribute to the meaning you derive from it. Support your interpretation with specific examples from the material.
- Comparative Analysis (if applicable): If relevant, compare the visual material with other works by the same creator or with similar works by different creators. Highlight similarities and differences in style, technique, and thematic content.
The conclusion of a visual analysis essay summarizes the main points of the analysis and restates the thesis in light of the evidence presented.
- Restate Thesis: Reiterate your thesis statement in a way that reflects the depth of your analysis. Show how your understanding of the visual material has been supported by your detailed examination.
- Summary of Main Points: Summarize the key points of your analysis. Highlight the most important findings and insights.
- Implications: Discuss the broader implications of your analysis. What does your analysis reveal about the visual material? How does it contribute to our understanding of the creator's work, the time period, or the cultural context?
- Closing Thought: End with a final thought that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This could be a reflection on the significance of the visual material, a question for further consideration, or a statement about its impact on you or on a broader audience.
If you want a more in-depth look at the classic essay structure, feel free to visit our 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY blog.
Visual Analysis Example
In this section, we've laid out two examples of visual analysis essays to show you how it's done effectively. Get inspired and learn from them!
Key Takeaways
Visual analysis essays are fundamental early in your communications and art history studies. Learning how to formally break down art is key, whether you're pursuing a career in art or communications.
Before jumping into analysis, get a solid grasp of the painter's background and life. Analyzing a painting isn't just for fun, as you need to pay attention to the small details the painter might have hidden. Knowing how to do this kind of assignment not only helps you appreciate art more but also lets you deeply understand the media messages you encounter every day.
If you enjoyed this article and found it insightful, make sure to also check out the summary of Lord of the Flies and an article on Beowulf characters .
If you read the whole article and still have no idea how to start your visual analysis essay, let a professional writer do this job for you. Contact us, and we’ll write your work for a higher grade you deserve. All college essay service requests are processed fast.
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What are the 4 Steps of Visual Analysis?
How to write a formal visual analysis, what is the function of visual analysis.
is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.
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- Duke University. (n.d.). Visual Analysis . https://twp.duke.edu/sites/twp.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/visual-analysis.original.pdf
- Glatstein, J. (2019, December 9). Formal Visual Analysis: The Elements & Principles of Composition . Www.kennedy-Center.org. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/articles-and-how-tos/articles/educators/visual-arts/formal-visual-analysis-the-elements-and-principles-of-compositoin/
- MADA: Visual analysis . (n.d.). Student Academic Success. https://www.monash.edu/student-academic-success/excel-at-writing/annotated-assessment-samples/art-design-and-architecture/mada-visual-analysis
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- How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples
How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples
Published on February 28, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 18, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.
An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a thesis , 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:
- Introduction
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
Abstract example, when to write an abstract, step 1: introduction, step 2: methods, step 3: results, step 4: discussion, tips for writing an abstract, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about abstracts.
Hover over the different parts of the abstract to see how it is constructed.
This paper examines the role of silent movies as a mode of shared experience in the US during the early twentieth century. At this time, high immigration rates resulted in a significant percentage of non-English-speaking citizens. These immigrants faced numerous economic and social obstacles, including exclusion from public entertainment and modes of discourse (newspapers, theater, radio).
Incorporating evidence from reviews, personal correspondence, and diaries, this study demonstrates that silent films were an affordable and inclusive source of entertainment. It argues for the accessible economic and representational nature of early cinema. These concerns are particularly evident in the low price of admission and in the democratic nature of the actors’ exaggerated gestures, which allowed the plots and action to be easily grasped by a diverse audience despite language barriers.
Keywords: silent movies, immigration, public discourse, entertainment, early cinema, language barriers.
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See an example
You will almost always have to include an abstract when:
- Completing a thesis or dissertation
- Submitting a research paper to an academic journal
- Writing a book or research proposal
- Applying for research grants
It’s easiest to write your abstract last, right before the proofreading stage, because it’s a summary of the work you’ve already done. Your abstract should:
- Be a self-contained text, not an excerpt from your paper
- Be fully understandable on its own
- Reflect the structure of your larger work
Start by clearly defining the purpose of your research. What practical or theoretical problem does the research respond to, or what research question did you aim to answer?
You can include some brief context on the social or academic relevance of your dissertation topic , but don’t go into detailed background information. If your abstract uses specialized terms that would be unfamiliar to the average academic reader or that have various different meanings, give a concise definition.
After identifying the problem, state the objective of your research. Use verbs like “investigate,” “test,” “analyze,” or “evaluate” to describe exactly what you set out to do.
This part of the abstract can be written in the present or past simple tense but should never refer to the future, as the research is already complete.
- This study will investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.
- This study investigates the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.
Next, indicate the research methods that you used to answer your question. This part should be a straightforward description of what you did in one or two sentences. It is usually written in the past simple tense, as it refers to completed actions.
- Structured interviews will be conducted with 25 participants.
- Structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants.
Don’t evaluate validity or obstacles here — the goal is not to give an account of the methodology’s strengths and weaknesses, but to give the reader a quick insight into the overall approach and procedures you used.
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Next, summarize the main research results . This part of the abstract can be in the present or past simple tense.
- Our analysis has shown a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
- Our analysis shows a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
- Our analysis showed a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
Depending on how long and complex your research is, you may not be able to include all results here. Try to highlight only the most important findings that will allow the reader to understand your conclusions.
Finally, you should discuss the main conclusions of your research : what is your answer to the problem or question? The reader should finish with a clear understanding of the central point that your research has proved or argued. Conclusions are usually written in the present simple tense.
- We concluded that coffee consumption increases productivity.
- We conclude that coffee consumption increases productivity.
If there are important limitations to your research (for example, related to your sample size or methods), you should mention them briefly in the abstract. This allows the reader to accurately assess the credibility and generalizability of your research.
If your aim was to solve a practical problem, your discussion might include recommendations for implementation. If relevant, you can briefly make suggestions for further research.
If your paper will be published, you might have to add a list of keywords at the end of the abstract. These keywords should reference the most important elements of the research to help potential readers find your paper during their own literature searches.
Be aware that some publication manuals, such as APA Style , have specific formatting requirements for these keywords.
It can be a real challenge to condense your whole work into just a couple of hundred words, but the abstract will be the first (and sometimes only) part that people read, so it’s important to get it right. These strategies can help you get started.
Read other abstracts
The best way to learn the conventions of writing an abstract in your discipline is to read other people’s. You probably already read lots of journal article abstracts while conducting your literature review —try using them as a framework for structure and style.
You can also find lots of dissertation abstract examples in thesis and dissertation databases .
Reverse outline
Not all abstracts will contain precisely the same elements. For longer works, you can write your abstract through a process of reverse outlining.
For each chapter or section, list keywords and draft one to two sentences that summarize the central point or argument. This will give you a framework of your abstract’s structure. Next, revise the sentences to make connections and show how the argument develops.
Write clearly and concisely
A good abstract is short but impactful, so make sure every word counts. Each sentence should clearly communicate one main point.
To keep your abstract or summary short and clear:
- Avoid passive sentences: Passive constructions are often unnecessarily long. You can easily make them shorter and clearer by using the active voice.
- Avoid long sentences: Substitute longer expressions for concise expressions or single words (e.g., “In order to” for “To”).
- Avoid obscure jargon: The abstract should be understandable to readers who are not familiar with your topic.
- Avoid repetition and filler words: Replace nouns with pronouns when possible and eliminate unnecessary words.
- Avoid detailed descriptions: An abstract is not expected to provide detailed definitions, background information, or discussions of other scholars’ work. Instead, include this information in the body of your thesis or paper.
If you’re struggling to edit down to the required length, you can get help from expert editors with Scribbr’s professional proofreading services or use the paraphrasing tool .
Check your formatting
If you are writing a thesis or dissertation or submitting to a journal, there are often specific formatting requirements for the abstract—make sure to check the guidelines and format your work correctly. For APA research papers you can follow the APA abstract format .
Checklist: Abstract
The word count is within the required length, or a maximum of one page.
The abstract appears after the title page and acknowledgements and before the table of contents .
I have clearly stated my research problem and objectives.
I have briefly described my methodology .
I have summarized the most important results .
I have stated my main conclusions .
I have mentioned any important limitations and recommendations.
The abstract can be understood by someone without prior knowledge of the topic.
You've written a great abstract! Use the other checklists to continue improving your thesis or dissertation.
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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An abstract is a concise summary of an academic text (such as a journal article or dissertation ). It serves two main purposes:
- To help potential readers determine the relevance of your paper for their own research.
- To communicate your key findings to those who don’t have time to read the whole paper.
Abstracts are often indexed along with keywords on academic databases, so they make your work more easily findable. Since the abstract is the first thing any reader sees, it’s important that it clearly and accurately summarizes the contents of your paper.
An abstract for a thesis or dissertation is usually around 200–300 words. There’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check your university’s requirements.
The abstract is the very last thing you write. You should only write it after your research is complete, so that you can accurately summarize the entirety of your thesis , dissertation or research paper .
Avoid citing sources in your abstract . There are two reasons for this:
- The abstract should focus on your original research, not on the work of others.
- The abstract should be self-contained and fully understandable without reference to other sources.
There are some circumstances where you might need to mention other sources in an abstract: for example, if your research responds directly to another study or focuses on the work of a single theorist. In general, though, don’t include citations unless absolutely necessary.
The abstract appears on its own page in the thesis or dissertation , after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .
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Scholars often write abstracts for various applications: conference presentations may require an abstract or other short summary for a program; journal articles almost always require abstracts; invited talks and lectures are often advertised using an abstract. While the application may necessarily change the length of the abstract (a conference program may only allow for 50-75 words, for instance), the purpose and structure remains fairly constant.
Abstracts are generally kept brief (approximately 150-200 words). They differ by field, but in general, they need to summarize the article so that readers can decide if it is relevant to their work. The typical abstract includes these elements:
- A statement of the problem and objectives
- A statement of the significance of the work
- A summary of employed methods or your research approach
- A summary of findings or conclusions of the study
- A description of the implications of the findings
Regardless of field, abstract authors should explain the purpose of the work, methods used, the results and the conclusions that can be drawn. However, each field purports slightly different ways to structure the abstract. A reliable strategy is to write the abstract as a condensed version of your article, with 1-2 sentences summarizing each major section. This means that in many of the sciences and a large portion of the humanities, abstracts follow a version of the IMRAD structure: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
Most scientific journals require authors to submit such abstracts. It is generally advisable to write the abstract in the English language. That is because most papers in other languages, especially Asian nations, tend to publish an English abstract with common search engines, such as, the MLA site.
Example Abstract
This example abstract follows the IMRAD structure closely. The first two sentences are the introduction and background information. Sentences 3-5 describe the methods used in the study. Sentence 6 summarizes the results, while the last two sentences summarize the discussion and conclusion of the study; they also indicate the significance of the results.
Usability and User-Centered Theory for 21 st Century OWLs — by Dana Lynn Driscoll, H. Allen Brizee, Michael Salvo, and Morgan Sousa from The Handbook of Research on Virtual Workplaces and the New Nature of Business Practices . Eds. Kirk St. Amant and Pavel Zemlansky. Hershey, PA: Idea Group Publishing, 2008.
This article describes results of usability research conducted on the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). The Purdue OWL is an information-rich educational website that provides free writing resources to users worldwide. Researchers conducted two generations of usability tests. In the first test, participants were asked to navigate the OWL and answer questions. Results of the first test and user-centered scholarship indicated that a more user-centered focus would improve usability. The second test asked participants to answer writing-related questions using both the OWL website and a user-centered OWL prototype. Participants took significantly less time to find information using the prototype and reported a more positive response to the user-centered prototype than the original OWL. Researchers conclude that a user-centered website is more effective and can be a model for information-rich online resources. Researchers also conclude that usability research can be a productive source of ideas, underscoring the need for participatory invention.
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