more advice for writing abstracts

Dates:

1-page outline due on blog and in hard copy by Wednesday, March 23

Final paper/project due in hard copy by Monday, May 2

The purpose of the abstract is twofold: to settle on a topic and begin to organize your thoughts; and to solicit feedback from me and your peers at this crucial stage of the project’s development.

The abstract’s structure is up to you but it should contain answers to the following questions:

• What is your main intention? What do you propose to argue in this paper?
• How will your argument proceed? What are some of the main structural steps you will take?
• What methodology (including sources and media texts) will you rely on?
• What is the projected conclusion or outcome – the “big picture”? How will this paper contribute to larger discussions in a particular field?

The easiest thing to do is to dedicate a paragraph to each of these questions. These four sets of questions give you reliable guidelines even if you are planning to follow a format that’s different from or supplements the traditional confines of the seminar paper, which is very much encouraged.

You’re also encouraged to visit me during office hours to discuss your plans.