3. Abstract or summary
The aim of the abstract or summary is to provide the reader with a:
- brief overview of the aim of your investigation
- concise description of the methods used to collect and analyse the data
- brief account of the results
- short statement covering the major conclusions.
The length of an abstract of summary will vary, usually in proportion to the length of the main body of the report, but will probably range between 100-200 words. Although representing the first piece of text in the report, the abstract is usually the last section to be written.
In other forms of writing, summary sections are usually placed at the end of chapters or the entire work. In a report the summary is placed near the front in order to help inform the reader of the writer's message.
The content of a summary should expand the brief description of your message provided by the report title.
