How to Write a Conference/Paper Abstract
Main Objectives of the Abstract
● Introduce your main thesis
● Provide an overview of your paper
● Situate your paper within a literary tradition and theoretical scope (can be
light on theory, but must have a theoretical approach)
● Provide a short and informative view of your paper (keep it concise)
● Persuade the committee to accept your paper (use the rhetoric of persuasion.
Be confident and assertive)
What Abstracts do NOT include
● Direct quotes
● Plot summary (unless it is a general conference, then 1-2 concise sentences
should suffice)
● Jargon language
● Informal (disrespectful) language
● Secondary sources
● Bibliography
Five Key Elements of Inclusion
1) Working Paper Title
2) Context or background thesis
3) Scope / methodological approach
4) Specific examples/Purpose of examples
5) Conclusion
1) Paper Title
● Make it succinct with correct spelling
o It should be the last thing you spell check b/c it is the first thing the
committee sees
● Make it one line (long paper titles = boring and verbose)
● Make certain it’s catchy (but not too jargony, overly pop, or unprofessional)
● Mention the author and/or book/poem you are analyzing
o include the author’s first and last name
● You can use colons but do not overdo it
2) Context/Background
A. Why are you writing this? Briefly justify why you want to explore this title
B. Background – what is your main idea?
C. Explicitly state your (working) thesis
a. Provide 1-3 sentences. Do not skimp!
3) Scope/Methodological Approach
A. Where do you focus your ideas?
● Parameters: historical, methodological, postmodern, visual studies,
feminist, cultural, etc.
B. What is your approach in this piece?
● Theory, literary, etc.
● Nota Bene: Define your terms. Ex: “Feminist approach under Judith
Butler’s ____ theory.”
4) Specific Examples / Examples Purpose
A. Examples: What are your specific examples which support your thesis?
● no more than one sentence per example
B. Examples purpose: How do your examples support / elaborate your thesis?
● no more than one sentence per example
C. Double check examples: Are they the best ones to illustrate your argument?
Don’t include everything…choose the best ones
5) Conclusion
A. State the implications or significance of your findings and analysis
● Among the types of questions that a conclusion addresses are:
o What will you prove and/or illustrate? And to what end?
o What is relevant about your work?
o What is your contribution to scholarship? (a small nugget that
sheds light/offers a new perspective )
Things to Remember:
● Read the CFP carefully & repetitively!
o Committees have several proposals to read through and request
specific formats and guidelines for a reason. Submitting without
attention to the following details can be an instant rejection of
your proposal.
● Stay within the word count limit!
● Follow required style & format
● Conform to the guidelines provided (single or double spaced, CV as
separate document, etc.)
● Include name, date, school affiliation, email address, and a phone number
● Include author(s) & primary work(s)
● List AV needs
Adapted from Dr. Nhora Serrano’s “How to Write an Abstract” presentation, Nov. 6,
2013.
