How to Write an Abstract: How to Write an Abstract: Abstract Submission & Poster Abstract Submission & Poster
Presentation Presentation
Mohammad K. Ismail MDChief of GI, Methodist University HospitalProgram Director GI Fellowship Training
University of Tennessee, Memphis
Why Writing is ImportantWhy Writing is Important
Francis Bacon once said, “reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; but writing an exact man”
Why bother to write well?
To communicate your work well
Reasons for Not WritingReasons for Not Writing
• Difficulty knowing where to start• Not knowing how to start• Anxiety about writing skills• Lack of confidence
Objectives Objectives • Attendees will learn
• Basic information about various types of publications
• How to write abstract• Submission of Abstract• Some Writing Tips
What is an AbstractWhat is an Abstract
• An abstract is a very concise statement of the major elements of your research project. It states the purpose, methods, and findings of your research project.
• An abstract is a condensed version of a full scientific paper.
Identify Your TopicIdentify Your Topic
• First thing is to identify what are you planning to write
• Clinical Vignette Abstract• Case report• Case series• Research
• Do a background Research
Background ResearchBackground Research
Search engines such as• PubMed or MEDLINE• MD Consult• Major Database listing available at UT
Library website
http://library.utmem.edu/eresources/category/databases-major
Four C's of Abstract WritingFour C's of Abstract Writing
• Complete — it covers the major parts of the project/case
• Concise — it contains no excess wordiness or unnecessary information.
• Clear — it is readable, well organized, and not too jargon-laden.
• Cohesive — it flows smoothly between the parts.
How to Pick a Case Report How to Pick a Case Report
Consider presenting a case -increases awareness of a condition -unusual presentation of a relatively common condition-suggests the proper diagnostic strategy -unusual complication of a disease and its management-about the message or lesson that the case can deliver
Format of Case ReportFormat of Case Report
• Where are you submitting abstract• For the ACP, the rules are available on the
electronic abstracts portal
(http://www.acponline.org/srf/abstracts/guide.htm)
• Check the details for the forum/meeting you planning to submit
Clinical Vignette (Case Report) Clinical Vignette (Case Report) Abstract Abstract
• Title and Author Information• Introduction • Case Description • Discussion
Title and Author InformationTitle and Author Information
• Create a winning title • Should be convincing• Appealing
• Format for the title
• Following the title, the names of all authors and their institutional affiliations are listed
Southern Society MeetingSouthern Society Meeting
GRANULAR CELL TUMOR OF ESOPHAGUS: A CASE SERIES
S Narra MD, M K Ismail MD
University of Tennesee, Memphis and
VA Medical Center Memphis, Tennessee
ACP MeetingACP Meeting
Ergotism Masquerading as ArteritisAmy Tarnower, Associate, Department of Medicine,
Michigan State University, East Lansing MI.
IntroductionIntroduction
• The introduction should provide the subject, purpose, and merit of the case report.
• Present background information • Focused comprehensive literature review that
corroborates the author’s claims: prevalence, mortality, "100,000 people each year die of…"
“Fulminant hepatic failure is a rare presentation of Wilson’s disease, which if unrecognized carries a high mortality rate without liver transplantation.”
Case DescriptionCase Description
• Describe in sequence • the history• physical examination• investigative studies• the patient's progress and outcome
DiscussionDiscussion
The discussion should evaluate the patient case for
• accuracy, validity, and uniqueness• compare and contrast the case report
with the published literature• why decisions were made and extract
the lesson from the case
Research AbstractResearch Abstract
• Suggested format • Title and Author Information • Introduction • Methods • Results • Conclusions
Before FinalizingBefore Finalizing
• Get help from a mentor • Make revisions based upon the feedback • Have others read your draft in order to
check for technical errors, such as spelling and grammar mistakes
Prior to SubmissionPrior to Submission
Check Yourself did you : • Follow the instructions!!!! • Include headings exactly as stated in the
instructions/template? • Use short, clear sentences; one idea per sentence? • Limit your abstract to the word count/character
count requirement? • Edit, edit, edit • Check grammar, syntax and punctuation
ACP Clinical Vignette Abstract ChecklistACP Clinical Vignette Abstract Checklist
• Due date for abstract is ____________.• Number of copies needed ____________.• Presenting author is listed as first author.• Presenting author meets eligibility requirements for the meeting.• Author affiliations are listed.• Abstract clearly organized into Introduction, Case Description,
and Discussion.• The “lesson” of the case is presented clearly and concisely.• Completed abstract meets word- limit requirements or fits into
formatting box.• Abstract printed with correct font size and style (if stipulated).• Others have reviewed abstract for content, style, grammar, and
spelling.• Mail abstract to:• Electronic submission
You Did It! Submit Your AbstractYou Did It! Submit Your Abstract
• Submit your abstract on or before any relevant deadline
• Mostly online/check on paper submission
• Payment may be needed for some Abstract Submission
Poster PresentationPoster Presentation
• Once accepted begin preparation early• Review with mentor• Add References appropriately• Submit stuff for printing Abstract for
display: check on mounting• Take care of meeting registration, stay and
travel arrangement
Forums for PresentationForums for Presentation
• ACP Meeting
• Southern Society Meeting (SSCI)
• Specialty Meetings• American College of Gastroenterology
Meeting
Not the End of WorkNot the End of Work
• Poster presentation: Not the end of work• Intermediate stage in a yet unfinished
project• Plan to write full manuscript ASAP
• Choose Proper Journal for the case report• Read and follow the “Guidelines for Authors” of the
target journal.• Set Goals• Set Deadlines for yourself• Shoot for the Moon
Why Abstracts Not AcceptedWhy Abstracts Not Accepted
Most common deficiencies encountered (in order of frequency):
• Poor presentation• Weak discussion• Lack of originality• Poor methods• Inappropriate statistical analysis• Inadequate results
How to ImproveHow to Improve
• Writing is an art, you can learn• Read published manuscript and abstract
carefully in major journals and focus on detail
• Practice; practice; practice• Get help from your mentors and colleagues• Attend classes in writing skills/read books
Some Writing Tips
• Active voice is preferable to passive voice• “We studied 15 patients with ARDS.” is
much better than “Fifteen patients with ARDS were studied.”
• Always use the full term before you refer to it by acronym [for example, Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT)]
• Write only one thought per sentence.• Eliminate unnecessary words• Ensure that verb tenses are consistent and correct
Closing ThoughtsClosing Thoughts
• Scholarly activities and Publications are a required part of residency training
• Very Important for residents pursuing academic career
• Important for academic advancement• Faraday once said, “Work; finish;
publish”
Top Related