---
id: abstract_writing
name: "Abstract Writing Best Practices"
description: |
  Three abstract templates from Research-Paper-Writing-Skills.
  Choose based on paper type and contribution structure.
source: https://github.com/Master-cai/Research-Paper-Writing-Skills
license: MIT
tags: [abstract, writing, best-practices]
---

# Abstract Writing Best Practices

Source: [Research-Paper-Writing-Skills](https://github.com/Master-cai/Research-Paper-Writing-Skills)

## Overview

The abstract is the most important paragraph of your paper. It must be standalone, concise (150-250 words), and contain no citations. Choose one of three templates based on your paper's structure.

---

## Three Abstract Templates

### Version 1: Challenge → Contribution

**Structure**:
1. **Background** (1 sentence): What is the general area?
2. **Challenge** (1-2 sentences): What is the specific problem?
3. **Contribution** (2-3 sentences): What did we do to solve it?
4. **Results** (1-2 sentences): What did we achieve?
5. **Significance** (1 sentence): Why does it matter?

**Example**:
> Single-cell RNA sequencing has revolutionized our understanding of cellular heterogeneity. However, batch effects remain a major challenge when integrating datasets from different experiments. We present HarmonyPlus, a novel batch correction method that preserves biological variation while removing technical artifacts. On benchmark datasets, HarmonyPlus achieves 0.92 ARI, outperforming existing methods by 15%. This enables more accurate cross-study comparisons and meta-analyses.

**When to use**: Standard research papers with clear problem-solution structure.

---

### Version 2: Challenge → Insight → Contribution

**Structure**:
1. **Background** (1 sentence)
2. **Challenge** (1 sentence)
3. **Key Insight** (1 sentence): What did we realize?
4. **Contribution** (2 sentences): What we built based on the insight
5. **Results** (1-2 sentences)
6. **Significance** (1 sentence)

**Example**:
> Batch correction methods often struggle with rare cell types. We observed that rare cells are disproportionately affected by overcorrection. Based on this insight, we developed AdaptiveHarmony, which applies cell-type-specific correction strengths. On datasets with rare populations, AdaptiveHarmony preserves 95% of rare cell markers while achieving 0.90 ARI. This enables more robust analysis of rare cell types across studies.

**When to use**: Papers with a key conceptual insight or observation that drives the contribution.

---

### Version 3: Multiple Contributions

**Structure**:
1. **Background** (1 sentence)
2. **Challenge** (1 sentence)
3. **Contribution 1** (1 sentence)
4. **Contribution 2** (1 sentence)
5. **Contribution 3** (1 sentence)
6. **Results** (1-2 sentences)
7. **Significance** (1 sentence)

**Example**:
> Integrating single-cell datasets remains challenging. We present scIntegrate, a comprehensive framework with three contributions: (1) a novel graph-based alignment algorithm, (2) a quality metric for integration assessment, and (3) a benchmark suite of 20 datasets. On our benchmark, scIntegrate achieves state-of-the-art performance across all metrics. This framework provides both a practical tool and evaluation standards for the community.

**When to use**: Papers with multiple distinct contributions (e.g., method + benchmark + tool).

---

## Quality Checklist

Before finalizing abstract, verify:

- [ ] **Length**: 150-250 words
- [ ] **No citations**: Abstract should be standalone
- [ ] **Concrete numbers**: Not "significantly better" but "15% improvement"
- [ ] **Clear contribution**: Reader knows exactly what you did
- [ ] **Explicit significance**: Why this matters is stated, not implied
- [ ] **Active voice**: "We present" not "A method is presented"
- [ ] **Past tense for results**: "achieved 0.92 ARI" not "achieves"
- [ ] **Present tense for general findings**: "This enables" not "This enabled"

---

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. **Too vague**: "Our method performs well" → "Our method achieves 0.92 ARI"
2. **Too long**: Abstract > 250 words → Cut background or details
3. **Missing significance**: Ends with results → Add "This enables..." sentence
4. **Citations in abstract**: [@smith2023] → Remove or rephrase without citation
5. **Hedging ladders**: "may potentially possibly" → Pick one hedge word max

---

## Template Selection Guide

| Paper Type | Recommended Template | Reason |
|------------|---------------------|--------|
| Standard method paper | Version 1 | Clear problem-solution structure |
| Insight-driven paper | Version 2 | Highlights the key realization |
| Multi-contribution paper | Version 3 | Lists distinct contributions |
| Tool/benchmark paper | Version 3 | Multiple deliverables |
| Conceptual paper | Version 2 | Emphasizes the insight |

---

## Writing Process

1. **Write abstract last**: After completing the full paper
2. **Choose template**: Based on paper structure
3. **Draft quickly**: Don't overthink, follow template
4. **Check numbers**: Ensure all quantitative claims are accurate
5. **Read aloud**: Check flow and clarity
6. **Verify checklist**: All items must pass
7. **Get feedback**: Ask colleague to read without context
