Writing Abstracts for Conferences

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CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIUMS, SEMINARS, & WORKSHOPS

Composing Abstracts for:

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What is an Abstract?

• Stand-alone, short summary describing a larger work.

• Components vary according to discipline. – An abstract of a social science or

scientific work may contain the scope, purpose, key findings and significance of these.

– An abstract of a humanities work may contain the thesis, background, and conclusion of the larger work.

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HOW TO WRITE AN ABSTRACT FOR A CONFERENCEWriting Abstracts

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Understand Terminology

• Conference• Seminars• Symposium• Workshop

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Some of these names are often used interchangeably, but the next few slides will offer common definition used to identify differences between them.

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Conferences

• Formal meetings of like minded people. Participants attend to listen to presenters discuss topics of common interest.

• A conference is usually held at a place which also has accommodation and dining facilities for the participants.

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Seminars

• Seminars are generally of shorter duration and it is possible to have seminars inside a conference. A seminar has an educational connotation to it whereas a conference is more about sharing of opinions and thoughts on a topic of common interest.

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Symposium

• Meeting of a number of experts in a particular field at which papers are presented by specialists on particular subjects and discussed with a view to making recommendations concerning the problems under discussion.

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Workshop

• A meeting at which a group of people engage in intensive discussion and activity on a particular subject or project.

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First, find professional opportunities.

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READING & RESPONDING TO A CALL FOR PAPERS

Writing the Abstract

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Find out if you are qualified to present a paper at a conference or participate in a panel.

Ask advisor.

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Once you find an appropriate call for papers that you can respond to, pay attention to the requirements for submission.

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Questions Your Abstract Should Answer:• What is the problem, central research question(s),

or hypothesis that your presentation will address?

• What methodology did you use to conduct the research?

• What data did you produce?

• What is the significance of your findings?

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Example 1: Literature

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Example 2: TESL

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Example 3: Ecocriticism