How to Write an Abstract (APA, Dissertation, With Example)
Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Alexander Holtermann · Updated 16 October 2026 · 4 min read
An abstract summarizes purpose, method, key results, and conclusion in 150–300 words. APA 7 sets a 250-word limit; write it last as one paragraph.
Key takeaways
- An abstract covers four things: purpose (problem/question), method, main results, and conclusion or implications.
- APA 7 limits abstracts to 250 words unless a journal or instructor says otherwise; dissertation abstracts are often 150–350 words.
- In APA style, the abstract is on its own page with the bold, centered label “Abstract”, followed by an indented line of 3–5 keywords.
- Write the abstract last and make it self-contained: no citations, no undefined abbreviations, no information that is not in the paper.
- Abstracts are what databases and search engines index first; put your key terms into it.
What is an abstract?
An abstract is a short, standalone summary of your entire paper or dissertation. Readers use it to decide whether to read the full text; databases, repositories, and search engines index it; and examiners read it first. For many readers, the abstract is the only part of your work they will ever see.
Student papers in APA style do not need an abstract unless your instructor asks for one. Dissertations, theses, journal-style papers, and conference submissions almost always do. Because the abstract is indexed by library catalogs, repositories, and academic search engines, the words you choose here decide whether other researchers find your work: use the key terms of your field rather than clever paraphrases.
One rule beats every guide on the internet, including this one: your own university’s or department’s style guide, handbook, or assignment brief always takes precedence. If it differs from what you read here, follow it. You can upload that handbook to Professor Digital, and everything (outline, citations, checks) is tailored to it.
The four-part structure
Most abstracts follow the logic of the paper itself. Give each part one to three sentences and weight them roughly as shown.
| Part | Share | Content | Tense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | ≈ 25 % | Problem, gap, research question or aim | Present / past |
| Method | ≈ 25 % | Design, sample, data, analysis | Past |
| Results | ≈ 30 % | Most important findings, with key numbers | Past |
| Conclusion | ≈ 20 % | Answer, implications, significance | Present |
Example abstract (empirical study)
This example has about 180 words and follows the four-part structure. Note the specific numbers, the absence of citations, and the concrete implication at the end.
Abstract formatting in APA 7
APA 7 has specific rules for abstracts in professional papers; many universities apply them to student dissertations too. Formatting details for dissertations, however, are usually set by your graduate school.
- Page 2, directly after the title page.
- Label “Abstract” in bold, centered, at the top of the page.
- One paragraph, double-spaced, without first-line indentation.
- Maximum 250 words (unless your instructor or journal specifies otherwise).
- Keywords line below: “Keywords:” indented and italicized, followed by 3–5 keywords in lowercase (not italicized), separated by commas.
- Numbers as digits, except at the start of a sentence.
Types of abstracts
Not all abstracts look the same. Your field and the type of work determine which form is expected.
| Type | Where | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Informative | Empirical papers, dissertations | Reports actual results and numbers |
| Descriptive | Humanities essays, reviews | Describes the scope and argument without detailed results |
| Structured | Medicine, health, psychology journals | Explicit subheadings: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions |
| Conference | Calls for papers | Often 200–500 words, may describe work in progress |
Checklist before you submit
Run through this list after writing your abstract. If you can tick every item, your abstract is ready.
- Could a reader understand the study without reading the paper?
- Is the research question or aim clear in the first two sentences?
- Are method and sample size stated?
- Do the results include at least one concrete finding (a number, a theme)?
- Does the conclusion answer the question and say why it matters?
- No citations, no undefined abbreviations, nothing that is not in the paper?
- Within the word limit?
Frequently asked questions
How long is an abstract?
Usually 150–300 words. APA 7 sets a maximum of 250 words; dissertation abstracts are often 150–350 words, depending on your university.
Does a student paper need an abstract in APA 7?
Not by default. APA 7 student papers include an abstract only if your instructor requires one.
What tense is used in an abstract?
Past tense for what you did and found (“Participants completed…”, “Results showed…”), present tense for conclusions and implications (“The findings suggest…”).
Can you cite sources in an abstract?
Generally no. The abstract should be self-contained; only cite if your study directly replicates or responds to one specific work.
What is the difference between an abstract and an introduction?
The abstract summarizes the whole paper, including results. The introduction only sets up the problem and question and does not report results.
Sources and further reading
- American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
- Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills (3rd ed.). University of Michigan Press.
Your university’s examination regulations and style guide always take precedence.
Related articles
- Writing an introductionA strong introduction moves from context to problem to gap, then states your research question or thesis and previews the structure. Write it last.
- Writing a conclusionA conclusion answers your research question directly, summarizes key findings, explains their significance, names limitations, and points to future research.
- APA 7th editionAPA 7 uses author–date citations: (Nguyen & Patel, 2021) or Nguyen and Patel (2021). Use “et al.” for three or more authors from the first citation.
- Dissertation structureMost dissertations have five chapters: introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and discussion/conclusion, plus front and back matter.
- Reporting statistics in APAAPA style reports test statistic, degrees of freedom, exact p-value and effect size, e.g. t(13.46) = 3.42, p = .004, d = 1.71. Examples for every test.
