Abstracts and Precis

ABSTRACTS AND PRECIS

An abstract is a condensed statement of the most important ideas in a paper or report, using exact words and phrases from the original. Identify the central idea and the key sentences of each main point; state in complete sentences. You add only transitional words or phrases to maintain sense. The average length of an abstract will run from one to three percent of the original. Include complete bibliographic information at the beginning of the abstract.



SAMPLE ABSTRACT

Borris, Amy, and Joyce Barnathan. "It's Time to Get China into the WTO.": Business Week 1 July 1996: 46.


It's time for the U.S. to focus more forcefully on getting China into the World Trade Organization. Membership would oblige China to follow international rules which cover tariffs, quotas, and other policies that are central to U.S. disputes with China. The price of entry for Beijing is high since it might cause China to commit to legal and economic reforms and force Chinese companies to lay off millions of workers. But Washington should offer Beijing a sweetener in the form of permanent most-favored nation status to give "a lot more motivation for China to want to get into the WTO." The upside potential of Chinese membership outweighs the risks.



A précis is a summary of the most important ideas in a paper or report restated in your words. Be sure to give the central idea and all the main ideas from the original document. Include complete bibliographic information at the beginning of the abstract.


SAMPLE PRECIS

Borris, Amy, and Joyce Barnathan. "It's Time to Get China into the WTO." Business Week 1 July 1996: 46.
In spite of the problems in current U.S.-China relations, the U.S. should focus on getting China into the World Trade Organization. Since this move would make China follow international rules of tariffs and other trade policies, the U.S. should encourage China entrance by giving them most-favored nation status, compensating for the problems of economic reform and the possibility of massive layoffs in China.