How to Write a Winning Abstract and How to Write a Winning Abstract and Getting Your Work PublishedGetting Your Work Published

Byron Cryer, M.D.Byron Cryer, M.D.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical SchoolUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical School

& &

Dallas VA Medical CenterDallas VA Medical Center

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Presentation:Presentation:

• Organized into categoriesOrganized into categories

• Categories are separated & boldedCategories are separated & bolded

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Background:Background:

• Gives the perspective of the field Gives the perspective of the field and describes unknown questionsand describes unknown questions

• Sets up why your work is importantSets up why your work is important

• Should be concise & clear(1-2 lines)Should be concise & clear(1-2 lines)

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Aim:Aim:

• One sentenceOne sentence

• Clearly describe what you propose Clearly describe what you propose to studyto study

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Methods:Methods:

• Clearly describe project Clearly describe project

• Sufficiently long to have complete Sufficiently long to have complete descriptiondescription

• Eliminate unnecessary detailEliminate unnecessary detail

• Show METHODS to colleague who Show METHODS to colleague who is unfamiliar with your work and is unfamiliar with your work and ask ask them if the description is clearthem if the description is clear

• Define all abbreviationsDefine all abbreviations

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Results:Results:

• Show main resultsShow main results

• Make 2 to 4 major pointsMake 2 to 4 major points

• Use Tables & Figures when possibleUse Tables & Figures when possible

• Always have statistics:Always have statistics:

• P valuesP values

• 95% Confidence Intervals95% Confidence Intervals

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Conclusion:Conclusion:

• Make 1 to 2 major pointsMake 1 to 2 major points

• Make sure conclusion supports:Make sure conclusion supports:

• AIMAIM

• RESULTSRESULTS

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Grant Support:Grant Support:

• Always acknowledge supporting Always acknowledge supporting agencyagency

• If grant support is competitive, If grant support is competitive, highlighting this fact gives the highlighting this fact gives the reviewers the impression that reviewers the impression that someone else believed that this someone else believed that this project would be project would be really importantreally important

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Category Selection:Category Selection:

• When there is a choice of categories for When there is a choice of categories for submission, select the one with fewer submission, select the one with fewer submissions historicallysubmissions historically

• Your work will have a greater chance of:Your work will have a greater chance of:

• Getting noticedGetting noticed

• Being more highly ratedBeing more highly rated

• Making it to an oral presentationMaking it to an oral presentation

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Consideration for Abstract Award:Consideration for Abstract Award:

• AGA/FDHN Travel AwardAGA/FDHN Travel Award

• GRG/ AGA Travel AwardGRG/ AGA Travel Award

• GRG Abstract of Year AwardGRG Abstract of Year Award

• GRG Trainee of Year AwardGRG Trainee of Year Award

YESYES NONOXX

XX

XX

XX

• Indications that you want your abstract Indications that you want your abstract considered for an award sends the considered for an award sends the

message to the review committee that message to the review committee that this is really important workthis is really important work

Example of a Winning AbstractExample of a Winning AbstractDDW 2005DDW 2005

Presentation Preference:Presentation Preference:

• ALWAYS ORALALWAYS ORAL

• Sends message of its importanceSends message of its importance

Elements of Style:Elements of Style:

• Proof readProof read

• Good grammarGood grammar

• Correct spellingCorrect spelling

• Do not use every square inch of space Do not use every square inch of space

Example of a Successfully Published ManuscriptExample of a Successfully Published Manuscript

Example of a Successfully Published ManuscriptExample of a Successfully Published Manuscript

Expediency:Expediency:

• Convert the abstract into a Convert the abstract into a manuscript while the topic is manuscript while the topic is relevantrelevant

• Submit for publication as soon as Submit for publication as soon as abstract has been accepted for the abstract has been accepted for the programprogram

Example of a Successfully Published ManuscriptExample of a Successfully Published Manuscript

Style Elements:Style Elements:

• Same as they were for the abstract:Same as they were for the abstract:

• CategoriesCategories

• BackgroundBackground

• AimsAims

• MethodsMethods

• Results Results

• DiscussionsDiscussions

• ConclusionConclusion

Example of a Successfully Published ManuscriptExample of a Successfully Published Manuscript

Background:Background:

• Gives the perspective of the field Gives the perspective of the field and describes unknown questionsand describes unknown questions

• Sets up why your work is importantSets up why your work is important

• Should be concise & clear(1-2 lines)Should be concise & clear(1-2 lines)

Example of a Successfully Published ManuscriptExample of a Successfully Published Manuscript

General Manuscript Goals:General Manuscript Goals:

BackgroundBackground

Tell the reviewer what important work Tell the reviewer what important work needs to be done in this areaneeds to be done in this area

Methods / ResultsMethods / Results

Describe the important work that you Describe the important work that you did which fulfills this unmet needdid which fulfills this unmet need

DiscussionDiscussionDescribe:Describe:

1) why the work is important 1) why the work is important

2) unique contributions of your work2) unique contributions of your work

3) limitations3) limitations

Example of a Successfully Published ManuscriptExample of a Successfully Published Manuscript

Discussion:Discussion:

• No more than 5 to 8 paragraphsNo more than 5 to 8 paragraphs

• Describe the major points of your Describe the major points of your studystudy

• Your DISCUSSION is not a review Your DISCUSSION is not a review paperpaper

• Goals are to:Goals are to:

• Capture the reviewer’s attentionCapture the reviewer’s attention

• Stop after major points have Stop after major points have been madebeen made

Example of a Successfully Published ManuscriptExample of a Successfully Published Manuscript

Cover Letter:Cover Letter:

• Ask your colleagues which of the Ask your colleagues which of the Associate Editors would be most Associate Editors would be most receptive to your work receptive to your work

• Let the editor know why this work Let the editor know why this work is importantis important

• Let the editor know where you are Let the editor know where you are in your careerin your career

• If work was supported by a career If work was supported by a career development grant, state so in the development grant, state so in the cover letter cover letter

After CRYER’S recommendations forAfter CRYER’S recommendations forWinning AbstractsWinning Abstracts

&&Prolific Publications,Prolific Publications,

you will soon rise to this point:you will soon rise to this point: