In this course you will develop an abstract and pair it with sources (your bibliography) that respond to a set of criteria essential for research. We will use the acronym BEAM to remember the key types of resources you will need for your research:

Background sources—to establish the context and importance of your research

Evidence sources (cases, examples)/primary sources—where you will explore the details and complexities of your topic

Argument sources—these sources advance your case/prove your point

Methodological and/or historiographical sources –how have others thought about or written about your topic?

Writing an Abstract

Key Elements of an Abstract:

1. Begins with a "hook" like good journalists do in writing newspaper articles. A hook consists of a statement or question or combination that encompasses something curious, interesting, intriguing, counterintuitive. It draws the reader into the project immediately, and underscores the importance of topic. Often hooks come in two parts. The second part starts with "however," "but," "nevertheless..." etc.

2. States a research question, objectives, key assertions or claims that the study will make. Situates the reader in the field/s that the study encompasses. What is the unique contribution to this topic of the present work? What outcome or effect is it trying to explain or account for?

3. Gives a road map to the argument: this paper will first..........., second............, third...........

4. Includes a brief mention about data and methods. What are the sources of data or information, or case studies that the research will draw from. Highlight significance, strengths/limitations.

5. Ends by giving the reader a sense of the conclusions, implications, findings, or policy recommendations of the study so that the reader is intrigues and wants to read on to get the full story.