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npx versuz@latest install brycewang-stanford-awesome-agent-skills-for-empirical-research-skills-43-wentorai-research-plugins-skills-writing-composition-agit clone https://github.com/brycewang-stanford/Awesome-Agent-Skills-for-Empirical-Research.gitcp Awesome-Agent-Skills-for-Empirical-Research/SKILL.MD ~/.claude/skills/brycewang-stanford-awesome-agent-skills-for-empirical-research-skills-43-wentorai-research-plugins-skills-writing-composition-a/SKILL.md---
name: abstract-writing-guide
description: "Craft structured research abstracts that maximize clarity and journal acceptance"
metadata:
openclaw:
emoji: "📝"
category: "writing"
subcategory: "composition"
keywords: ["abstract writing", "summary writing", "research abstract", "paper title writing", "structured abstract"]
source: "wentor"
---
# Abstract Writing Guide
A skill for writing effective research abstracts that clearly communicate your study's purpose, methods, results, and significance. Covers structured and unstructured formats, word count optimization, and common pitfalls.
## Abstract Structures
### Structured Abstract (IMRaD)
Most journals in science and medicine require a structured abstract:
```
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: 1-2 sentences on the problem and study aim
METHODS: 2-3 sentences on study design, participants, and analysis
RESULTS: 2-4 sentences with key quantitative findings
CONCLUSION: 1-2 sentences on implications and significance
Total: typically 150-300 words (check journal requirements)
```
### Unstructured Abstract
Common in social sciences and humanities:
```
Sentence 1: Context and problem statement
Sentence 2: Research gap or objective
Sentence 3: Methods overview
Sentence 4-5: Key findings
Sentence 6: Implications and significance
Total: typically 150-250 words
```
## Writing Process
### Step-by-Step Framework
```python
def generate_abstract_outline(study_info: dict) -> dict:
"""
Generate an abstract outline from study information.
Args:
study_info: Dict with keys: 'problem', 'gap', 'objective',
'design', 'sample', 'methods', 'key_findings',
'implications', 'word_limit'
Returns:
Structured abstract outline with estimated word counts
"""
word_limit = study_info.get('word_limit', 250)
# Allocate words proportionally
sections = {
'background': {
'allocation_pct': 0.15,
'content': [study_info['problem'], study_info['gap']],
'template': "Despite {problem}, {gap}. This study aimed to {objective}."
},
'methods': {
'allocation_pct': 0.25,
'content': [study_info['design'], study_info['sample'], study_info['methods']],
'template': "A {design} was conducted with {sample}. {methods}."
},
'results': {
'allocation_pct': 0.35,
'content': study_info['key_findings'],
'template': "Results showed {findings}."
},
'conclusion': {
'allocation_pct': 0.25,
'content': study_info['implications'],
'template': "These findings suggest {implications}."
}
}
for section in sections.values():
section['target_words'] = round(word_limit * section['allocation_pct'])
return {
'sections': sections,
'word_limit': word_limit,
'tips': [
'Write the Results section first (most important)',
'Use past tense for methods and results',
'Avoid abbreviations unless space-saving is critical',
'Include at least one quantitative result with effect size',
'Do not include citations in the abstract'
]
}
```
### Example: Well-Written Abstract
```
Background: Chronic low back pain affects 23% of the global adult population,
yet optimal exercise interventions remain unclear. This systematic review and
meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of yoga, Pilates, and
general exercise for reducing pain and disability in chronic low back pain.
Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PEDro from
inception to December 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing yoga,
Pilates, or general exercise to usual care were included. Pain (VAS/NRS)
and disability (ODI/RMDQ) were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.
Results: Thirty-seven RCTs (N = 3,421) met inclusion criteria. All exercise
types significantly reduced pain compared to usual care: yoga (SMD = -0.73,
95% CI [-0.94, -0.52]), Pilates (SMD = -0.62, 95% CI [-0.81, -0.43]),
and general exercise (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI [-0.63, -0.33]). Yoga showed
significantly greater pain reduction than general exercise (p = 0.03)
but not Pilates (p = 0.28). Heterogeneity was moderate (I-squared = 48-61%).
Conclusion: Yoga, Pilates, and general exercise all effectively reduce
chronic low back pain, with yoga showing a modest advantage over general
exercise. Clinicians should consider patient preferences when recommending
exercise modalities.
```
## Title Writing
### Title Construction Principles
```python
def evaluate_title(title: str) -> dict:
"""Evaluate a paper title against best practices."""
checks = {}
# Length check
word_count = len(title.split())
checks['word_count'] = word_count
checks['length_ok'] = 10 <= word_count <= 20
# Key content checks
checks['has_colon'] = ':' in title # Structured titles often use colons
checks['starts_with_article'] = title.lower().startswith(('a ', 'an ', 'the '))
checks['has_abbreviation'] = any(w.isupper() and len(w) > 1 for w in title.split())
# Title type classification
if '?' in title:
checks['type'] = 'question'
elif ':' in title:
checks['type'] = 'compound'
elif title.split()[0].endswith('ing'):
checks['type'] = 'gerund'
else:
checks['type'] = 'declarative'
checks['recommendations'] = []
if word_count > 20:
checks['recommendations'].append('Consider shortening -- aim for 10-15 words')
if word_count < 8:
checks['recommendations'].append('Consider adding specificity')
if checks['starts_with_article']:
checks['recommendations'].append('Avoid starting with articles (A/An/The)')
if checks['has_abbreviation']:
checks['recommendations'].append('Spell out abbreviations in titles')
return checks
```
### Title Patterns by Discipline
| Pattern | Example | Common In |
|---------|---------|-----------|
| Method: Finding | "Deep Learning for Protein Structure: A Comparative Study" | CS, Engineering |
| Declarative | "Mindfulness Reduces Cortisol in College Students" | Psychology, Medicine |
| Question | "Does Remote Work Improve Productivity?" | Social Sciences |
| Descriptive | "Gene Expression Patterns in Early-Stage Lung Cancer" | Biology, Medicine |
## Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. **Vague conclusions**: "More research is needed" -- instead, state specific implications
2. **Missing numbers**: Always include at least one quantitative finding
3. **New information**: Never introduce information not in the paper
4. **Excessive background**: Readers know the field -- get to your contribution quickly
5. **Passive voice overuse**: Use active voice where possible ("We found" not "It was found")
6. **Promising more than delivering**: The abstract must accurately represent the paper's scope