How to Write a Strong Abstract for an International Journal

If you are wondering how to write an abstract for a journal article, the short answer is this: write one self-contained paragraph, usually 150–250 words, that states the problem, your aim, your method, your main findings and what they mean. Use plain language, put the parts in that order, and include no citations. Write it last, once the paper is finished, and check the target journal's word limit before you start.

Why the abstract matters so much

For most readers, the abstract is the only part they see before deciding whether to read the full paper. Editors use it for first screening, and reviewers form their first impression from it. Search tools display it in results. Readers in other countries may read only this section in English, so it has to make sense on its own, without the figures, tables or reference list.

Step by step: how to write an abstract for a journal article

1. Read the author guidelines first. Note the word limit, whether the abstract should be structured (with headings) or a single paragraph, and how many keywords are required.
2. Finish the paper before you write the abstract. An abstract summarises what the paper actually says, not what you planned to say.
3. Answer five questions in one or two sentences each: Why does this matter? What was your aim? How did you do it? What did you find? What does it mean?
4. Join the answers into one paragraph. Keep the order of the paper so the abstract mirrors its logic.
5. Add specifics. Name the method, the sample or data source, the place and period, and the most important result from your own analysis.
6. Cut ruthlessly. Remove background that readers in your field already know, repeated phrases and vague words such as "various" or "some".
7. Test it on an outsider. Ask a colleague from a nearby field to read only the abstract and tell you what the study found. If they cannot, revise.

The five building blocks

• Background and problem (1–2 sentences): the gap or issue, not a history of the field.
• Aim (1 sentence): begin with "This study examines…", "This article analyses…" or "We test whether…".
• Method (1–2 sentences): design, participants or data, and analysis technique.
• Results (2–3 sentences): the main findings, with the numbers or patterns that matter. This is the most important part.
• Conclusion and implication (1–2 sentences): what the findings mean for practice, policy or future research. Do not overclaim.

A fill-in template

Replace the brackets with your own details:

[Topic] is important because [problem or gap]. This study aims to [aim]. We used [design] with [sample or data] in [place and period], and analysed the data using [technique]. The results show that [main finding 1] and [main finding 2]. These findings suggest that [implication], although [one short limitation]. The study contributes to [field or practice] by [contribution].

A weak sentence and a stronger one

Weak: "This study discusses teacher motivation in several schools."

Stronger: "This study examines how workload and school leadership relate to teacher motivation, using a survey of [number] secondary teachers in [region] and multiple regression analysis."

The second version tells the reader the variables, the method and the context. Aim for that level of detail throughout.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Promising instead of reporting. Phrases like "results will be discussed" tell the reader nothing.
• Copying the introduction. The abstract should be rewritten, not pasted from your first paragraph.
• Adding information that is not in the paper. Every claim must appear in the main text.
• Using undefined abbreviations or citations such as "(Author, 2020)".
• Being too long or too short. Going over the limit looks careless, and a two-sentence abstract is not informative.
• Overclaiming. Avoid "proves" or "solves" when your design only supports "suggests" or "is associated with".

Language tips for non-native English writers

• Use the past tense for what you did and found ("we surveyed", "results showed") and the present tense for general statements and conclusions.
• Keep sentences to about 20–25 words and use one idea per sentence.
• Prefer common, precise verbs: examine, compare, estimate, identify, show.
• Use the same term for the same concept throughout. Do not switch between "respondents", "participants" and "subjects" without a reason.
• Read the abstract aloud. Awkward rhythm usually signals an unclear sentence.

Choosing keywords

Pick 3–6 keywords that a researcher would actually type when searching for your topic. Include your main concept, method and context, and avoid keywords that are too broad ("development") or that repeat the title word for word. Check that each keyword appears in the abstract or the paper.

Pre-submission checklist

• Within the journal's word limit and format
• Contains problem, aim, method, results and conclusion
• Includes at least one concrete finding
• No citations, undefined abbreviations or references to figures
• Consistent with the title, the main text and the conclusion
• Checked for grammar and spelling by you and one other reader
• Keywords chosen and formatted as requested

Next step: submitting your manuscript

Once your abstract is ready, match your paper to a suitable journal and read its author guidelines carefully. Research Center Progresif (RCP) in Semarang, Indonesia, publishes six international open-access journals in English. Their articles are free to read under CC BY-SA 4.0, every manuscript undergoes double-blind peer review, and authors from any country may submit online through the journal website. For example, see the Journal of Education, Linguistics and Psychology or the Journal of Business Management and Entrepreneurship, and read the submission guidelines before you upload your file. If you are looking for research partners abroad, you can also visit our multi-country collaboration page.

Frequently asked questions

How long should an abstract for a journal article be?

Most journals ask for roughly 150–250 words, but limits vary. Always follow the word limit in the author guidelines of the journal you are submitting to.

Should I write the abstract before or after the paper?

Write it after the paper is finished. That way it accurately reflects your final results and conclusions, and you can revise it once more after the last edits to the manuscript.

Can I include references in an abstract?

In general, no. An abstract should stand alone, so avoid citations, figure references and undefined abbreviations unless the journal's guidelines say otherwise.

What is the difference between an abstract and an introduction?

The introduction builds the context and argument for the reader in detail. The abstract is a short summary of the whole paper, including the method, results and conclusion.

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