Anatomy of an Abstract Malika Moutawakkil Bell Education

Anatomy of an Abstract Malika Moutawakkil Bell Education & Human Resources Center for Adaptive Optics University of California Santa Cruz Center for Adaptive Optics Comminication Curriculum - 2006 1

What is an Abstract? • A mini paper • One paragraph • Describes what you are going to discuss, present or write about • Gives reader an overview of the facts • Source of new ideas • Gets reader interested (ie: at a conference) Center for Adaptive Optics Comminication Curriculum - 2006 2

Anatomy of an Abstract Introduction with Big Picture Discussion and Conclusion The Project: Problem or Question What YOU Did Observations, Design Testing, Results Design and Methods Center for Adaptive Optics Comminication Curriculum - 2006 3

Know Your Audience • What would be the best way to get them interested? • Write with a person in mind • What forum? – Conference – School Symposium – Journal article Center for Adaptive Optics Comminication Curriculum - 2006 4

Questions to Get Yourself Going • • What problem did I solve? What goal did I reach? Why does it matter (to industry, science, etc)? How can my work be applied? How does my work fit in with the work of others? Can I support my claims? Is my result expected or is this a new way of thinking about the subject? • What assumptions did I make? Center for Adaptive Optics Comminication Curriculum - 2006 5

What Must an Abstract Have? • Adequate information on which to make a judgment. – Brief description – Results, observations and a conclusion – Possible applications Center for Adaptive Optics Comminication Curriculum - 2006 6

Before Submitting Your Abstract • Get mentor approval • Proof read • Follow guidelines of who ever is requesting the abstract Center for Adaptive Optics Comminication Curriculum - 2006 7

Your Assignment Today • Include what we talked about today • Due Thursday June 8 th • Peer review and staff review Center for Adaptive Optics Comminication Curriculum - 2006 8

Abstracts Within Your Internship Hawaii Island Thurs. June 8 1 st Draft Short Course Abstract Due and Peer Review Mon. June 5 Anatomy of an Abstract - Peer review, get staff review at end of day Mon. June 12 Final Short Course Abstract Due - Save for portfolio Mon. July 3 1 st Draft Project Abstract Due - Get staff review by July 7 Mon. July 17 Final Project Abstract Due Fri. June 9 2 nd Draft Short Course Abstract due - Get staff review at end of day Mon. July 10 2 nd Draft Project Abstract Due - Get staff review by July 14 Thu. July 20 Abstract due to SACNAS (if applicable) Center for Adaptive Optics Comminication Curriculum - 2006 9