Writing Chemistry Lab Abstracts Center for Writing Across the Curriculum And the Department of Chemistry Spring 2016

What is an abstract? 2

Abstract Content Title Objective/Goal: What was done Methods & Procedure: How it was done Results & Significance: What was discovered and why does it matter 4

Title Write a title, not a complete sentence Use a descriptive title that explicitly indicates the goal of the experiment Your title will include elements of the experiment title in the lab notebook, but it should not be identical

Title ‘Synthesis of Alum from Elemental Aluminum’ Ex: Write a title, not a complete sentence Use a descriptive title that explicitly indicates the goal of the experiment Your title will include elements of the experiment title in the lab notebook, but it won’t be identical Ex: ‘Synthesis of Alum from Elemental Aluminum’

Objective/Goal 1−2 sentences State the objective (purpose) of the experiment What was your end goal? Why are you doing this expt.? Include the overall method used Give both chemical names and formulas when appropriate Avoid starting with “the purpose of this experiment was…” Include all parts of the experiment

Methods & Procedure 2−4 sentences (so be BRIEF) Describe the important experimental steps and methods Do not include minor experimental details Mention the technique, but not necessarily how it was performed Assume that your audience has at least as much experience in chemistry as you do.

Results & Significance Report the result(s) specified in the objective Give the physical parameter measured, such as the rate law equation, equilibrium constants, etc. For a synthesis experiment, this may be the mass and % yield of product Must include Units Proper significant figures Percent error and/or standard deviation, if applicable

Results & Significance Discuss the conclusions you can draw from your data Ex.) Discuss what your results tell you about the compound or reaction. Ex.) What do your results tell you about the success or failure of the experiment? Ex.) Tell us about the significance of your results. Why are your results important? Don’t need to include sources of error But if your numbers are way off, do comment on error

Abstract Content Activity!

Abstract Formatting 1 page MAX One-Inch Margins Double-spaced Size 12 font Use actual subscripts and superscripts Ex.) Use H2O instead of H2O and y=x2 instead of y=x^2 Chemical names are not capitalized (unless you are referring to a trade name such as Tylenol)

Abstract Writing Style Past Tense The experiment has already happened! 3rd Person The focus should be on the science, not the scientist Passive voice allows you to remain in 3rd person, but makes your abstract harder to read. Use passive voice judiciously.

Scientific Diction Avoid colloquial words for scientific terms Ex.) stuff, things Try to be specific, be careful with pronouns Science has its own language, try to use it BAD: “After taking the pieces and combining it with KOH in a beaker we noticed a white fizz” GOOD: “A gas was evolved when the solid aluminum was combined with KOH” BAD: “The mixture was sent through a gravity filtration setup” GOOD: “The solution was purified by gravity filtration”

Summary Basic Outline 1 page, 1” margins, 12 pt font Objective: What was done? Methods & Procedure: How was it done? Results & Significance: What was discovered and why does it matter? 1 page, 1” margins, 12 pt font Past tense, 3rd person Use proper scientific diction Writing tips Write down everything and then go back and delete all non- essential information. Double-check Abstract Guidelines and Rubric before finishing

Next Steps Write a draft abstract for the Paper Chromatography lab you just finished Your instructor and TA will offer assistance Peer-edit using the rubric and the “Peer Review via Post-Outlining” Fill out our survey on today’s presentation Write a revised version of your abstract to turn in next week

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