Updated 4/19/03

Prof. Michael Goldberg
BIS 300: Interdisciplinary Inquiry
Spring 2003

Abstract Writing Exercise

An abstract is simply a condensation of a piece of writing, distilling its essence down to a small number of words, usually between 100-250. When writing an abstract for an analytical argumentative article (found in scholarly journals), the task is to communicate the main argument, the sub-arguments, and the most important evidence. Never use quotations in an abstract except when repeating key terms or phrases. Otherwise, always paraphrase the author. The abstract is itself descriptive, recreating the author's argument rather than providing any additional analysis or critique. Take care with each word you chose, making sure it conveys the meaning you intend. Use active sentence constructions whenever appropriate in order to clarify the author's causal relationships within his/her argument. Your abstract should be at least 200 words, and a MAXIMUM of 250 words. Any additional words will not be counted. (Use the "word count" feature of your word processor.) The assignment should contain your name, date, course number and title, instructor, and the title of the article you are abstracting. It should be double spaced, 12 point font, with standard margins. The first sentence (or two at most) should contain the thesis or main argument, and it should be underlined. You may do your abstract on any of the assigned essays in Uncommon Ground except Cronon's. It is due in class at 11am sharp on Monday, April 21.

The abstract writing exercise provides a number of learning opportunity. It provides tools for improving reading comprehension, the key to writing. It enables students to provide a descriptive writing sample, which is usually simpler and thus good steppingstone for assessments of more complex writing. The task of writing stripped down, condensed prose, where every word matters, is also a useful skill when writing more complex pieces.

Here is a shorter example of an abstract than the one you are assigned, for a slightly different version of Cronon's article:

For several decades wilderness issues have been a rallying cry for environmentalists, but wilderness as a concept offers little for the future of environmentalism. Wilderness does not occur in nature, but is a creation of particular cultures which give it meaning. The 18th century viewed wilderness as desolate and frightening. By the late 19th century the influence of romanticism had turned wilderness into the sublime, where God was found. The myth of frontier envisioned wilderness as a place of national redemption and renewal. Wilderness, then, offers an escape not only from the modern world but also from history itself. The conception of wilderness as "the Other" allows Americans to behave irresponsibly toward nature in their everyday lives.