Importance of Abstracts

Let reader decide whether to read further

让读者决定是否继续阅读

Is the 1st part to be read, therefore it sets up positive or negative expectations for the remainder of the work

摘要是文章的第一部分，关系着读者对全文的印象好坏

Should encourage readers who decide the topic is relevant to read further

应当吸引读者继续阅读正文

If poorly written, discourages reader from reading further

写的差的摘要会导致读者停止继续阅读

Should be aimed at both readers who will read the abstract only and those that will read the complete paper

摘要应当既能吸引单纯的摘要读者，又能吸引阅读全文的读者

Tips for Writing an Abstract

Be clear and brief and try to avoid abbreviations.

简明扼要，避免使用缩写

Describe methods and results in the past tense.

方法与结果部分使用过去时

Discuss conclusions in the present tense; avoid perfect tenses.

讨论部分使用现在时；避免使用完成时

State document contents in present tense.

文献内容使用现在时

The use of I and we is preferable in many journals to the third person and the passive.

使用第一人称，而不使用第三人称和被动语态

Do not use synonyms e.g. if you use “housing” in one sentence, do not change it to “casing” in another. The reader may think you are discussing two different things.

不要使用同义词，否则读者会认为你在指两个不同的事物

The abstract should be understandable when readseparately from the paper (i.e., stand-alone)

即使在没有阅读全文的情况下，摘要也可以作为一个独立的部分为读者所读懂