Surviving the research word: Strategies for journal article abstract writing

Оn June 22, Dr. Jelena Runić (Johns Hopkins University, USA) held a two-hour workshop on journal abstract writing. Dr. Runić coordinates the E(nglish) as a S(econd) L(anguage) Program at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. The workshop was designed to help nonnative speakers of English improve their abstract writing skills. Abstracts in the research world have become an increasingly important part of a research article, conference paper/presentation, doctoral dissertation, and master’s thesis. The quality of an abstract may determine whether or not the reader chooses to read the paper further. In the workshop, some fundamental rhetorical moves necessary for drafting a good quality abstract were discussed, as well as grammar issues, such as tense choice. Finally, it was practiced how to create an effective title for a research paper.