Task: you will write an abstract of the articles and works assigned to you, following the instructions given to you. See below. Extra: You will keep a reading log throughout the term. Include an annotated bibliography entry of every reading carried out, either in Spanish or in English. Entries must be in English.
PREPARING ABSTRACTS How to Write an Abstract
An abstract is a summary in your own words, of an article, chapter, or book. It is not evaluative and must not include your personal opinions. The purpose of an abstract is to give a reader sufficient information for him or her to decide whether it would be worthwhile reading the entire article or book. An abstract should aim at giving as much information as possible in as few words as possible. The abstract should include: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Complete bibliographic information A clear statement of the scope and purpose of a work A summary of the contents A statement of the conclusion or results
SAMPLE ABSTRACT Timsit, M., and N. Bruyere-DeGeyter. "The Function of Anxiety the Structure of Personality in Sports Participation: Use of the Rorschach Test in Comparing Samples of Basketball and Football Players." International Journal of Sport Psychology. 8.2 (1977): 128-139. Examines the relationship between athletes and the structure of the athletic personality, and more precisely, the importance of the choice of a sport and athletics in general in the development of the personality. Forty 17-21 year olds (20 football players and 20 basketball players) were studied, and the data were compared with those from 17 technical school students of the same age. Data from the sports group were significantly different from the control group: the sports group showed freer expression, more aggression, a more evident state of anxiety, and relatively more effective control mechanisms (kinetic responses). Data for the basketballers were significantly different from those of the footballers: the basketballers had a higher tendency toward static kinetics, and the footballers had a higher anxiety index. Results are discussed in relation to the athletic capacity specifically called for in particular types of sports: location on the court in basketball, and active and direct struggle in football. Source: http://myrin.ursinus.edu/help/resrch_guides/annotate.htm
Sample Annotated Bibliography Entry Gibson, Walker. Tough, Sweet, and Stuffy. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1966. This essay on modern prose styles describes the three extreme styles: tough talk, sweet talk, and stuffy talk. Samples in the appendix are especially helpful. Task: Writing abstracts
Example of Assessment Criteria
Content 1. Places thesis statement close to the beginning of the abstract (What is/are the main topic(s) under discussion, and what is the purpose of the article?) 2. Uses names and terms specific to the discipline (with simple definitions if needed)
2
3. Includes methods, results, and conclusions of the author
6
4. Adds no new information, but simply offers a summary
2
5. Can be understood by those with minimal knowledge of the discipline (e.g.: classmates)
2
Points earned
Comments
Point value
Points earned
Comments
2
Form 1. Uses an introduction/body/conclusion structure which logically follows the chronology of the work
5
2. Uses short complete sentences. Is concise without being choppy.
2
3. Is correctly written, with no grammar or spelling mistakes
2
4. is no more than .... in length
2
Task: Writing abstracts
Point value