An abstract is a summary of an article. Readers use abstracts to determine whether or not an article contains information of interest to them. Therefore, abstracts have to be well written, informative, and concise!
Examples:
Dupuis, E.M. and C. Geisler. 1988."Biotechnology and the small farm". BioScience 33(6):406-41 BioScience 38(6):406-411
Marx, J.L. 1988. "Cell growth control takes balance." Science 239:975-976
ASSIGNMENT
You are to write three abstracts over the course of this semester. They are due on the dates listed on the laboratory schedule. Your abstract can be from any article of biological interest. The library has a number of journals (current periodicals) which have interesting articles. DO NOT use encyclopedias, Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal or Reader’s Digest articles. Journal articles should be from June 1997 to the current time. Attach a photocopy of the article to your abstract.
At the time indicated on the laboratory schedule, students will have an opportunity to explain one of their articles to their classmates during the regularly scheduled laboratory period. These discussions are designed to last from two (2) to five (5) minutes and are required.