An Informational Abstract
According to Purdue OWL, there are two types of abstracts- informational and descriptive. This example provides an information abstract that lists what the report contains as well as the results. Abstracts differ from introductions in that they summarize the entire report, specifically and briefly. Introductions on the other hand, give some background information to the subject. (Click here to view the Purdue OWL Resource).
Context
"Invalid Corps" is an article written for a journal that appeals to those interested in medicine, specifically relating to the military. Presenting an abstract at the center of the paper before the article immediately lets readers know what topic relating to military medicine will be discussed in the article.
General: Writers might choose to use an abstract because their context calls for a formal way of presenting a summary of their text.
Ask Yourself: Am I writing a formal piece? Is a summary of points necessary?
General: Writers might choose to use an abstract because their context calls for a formal way of presenting a summary of their text.
Ask Yourself: Am I writing a formal piece? Is a summary of points necessary?
Audience
The rhetorical choice of an abstract helps the audience identify important background information on military medical disability compensation which would help them better understand the content of the article.
General: An abstract summarizes content of the text to help the audience follow along.
Ask Yourself: Does a summary prior to the text help the audience understand the overall message?
General: An abstract summarizes content of the text to help the audience follow along.
Ask Yourself: Does a summary prior to the text help the audience understand the overall message?
Purpose
Providing an abstract helps carry out the purpose of proposing new ideas of how disabled soldiers can still be on active duty since the abstract directs the audience to pay close attention to important historical background on medical disability compensation, which describes what actions were taken relating to disabled military personnel in the past.
General: Including an abstract that summarizes the text shows the writer's train of thought, which can reveal a texts overall purpose.
Ask Yourself: Will a summary of my text make my purpose clear? Will my purpose be clear by providing an abstract that will help my audience follow my text.
General: Including an abstract that summarizes the text shows the writer's train of thought, which can reveal a texts overall purpose.
Ask Yourself: Will a summary of my text make my purpose clear? Will my purpose be clear by providing an abstract that will help my audience follow my text.
Persona
The use of an abstract adds credibility to Gregory Lande's persona because he shows that he knows historical background relating to Invalid Corps soldiers, and would therefore know what compensation would work best for them today.
General: An abstract can add credibility and clarity to a writer's persona. Credibility would depend on what information is provided in the abstract.
Ask Yourself: What information in my abstract should I include to add to my credibility? Will an abstract impress my audience?
General: An abstract can add credibility and clarity to a writer's persona. Credibility would depend on what information is provided in the abstract.
Ask Yourself: What information in my abstract should I include to add to my credibility? Will an abstract impress my audience?