How to Write a Winning Abstract and Getting Your Work Published Byron Cryer, M.D. University of Texas Southwestern Medical School & Dallas VA Medical Center

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005

Presentation: Organized into categories Organized into categories Categories are separated & bolded Categories are separated & bolded

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005 Background: Gives the perspective of the field and describes unknown questions Gives the perspective of the field and describes unknown questions Sets up why your work is important Sets up why your work is important Should be concise & clear(1-2 lines) Should be concise & clear(1-2 lines)

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005 Aim: One sentence One sentence Clearly describe what you propose to study Clearly describe what you propose to study

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005 Methods: Clearly describe project Clearly describe project Sufficiently long to have complete description Sufficiently long to have complete description Eliminate unnecessary detail Eliminate unnecessary detail Show METHODS to colleague who is unfamiliar with your work and ask them if the description is clear Show METHODS to colleague who is unfamiliar with your work and ask them if the description is clear Define all abbreviations Define all abbreviations

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005 Results: Show main results Show main results Make 2 to 4 major points Make 2 to 4 major points Use Tables & Figures when possible Use Tables & Figures when possible Always have statistics: Always have statistics: P values P values 95% Confidence Intervals 95% Confidence Intervals

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005 Conclusion: Make 1 to 2 major points Make 1 to 2 major points Make sure conclusion supports: Make sure conclusion supports: AIM AIM RESULTS RESULTS

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005 Grant Support: Always acknowledge supporting agency Always acknowledge supporting agency If grant support is competitive, highlighting this fact gives the reviewers the impression that someone else believed that this project would be really important If grant support is competitive, highlighting this fact gives the reviewers the impression that someone else believed that this project would be really important

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005 Category Selection: When there is a choice of categories for submission, select the one with fewer submissions historically When there is a choice of categories for submission, select the one with fewer submissions historically Your work will have a greater chance of: Your work will have a greater chance of: Getting noticed Getting noticed Being more highly rated Being more highly rated Making it to an oral presentation Making it to an oral presentation

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005 Consideration for Abstract Award: AGA/FDHN Travel Award AGA/FDHN Travel Award GRG/ AGA Travel Award GRG/ AGA Travel Award GRG Abstract of Year Award GRG Abstract of Year Award GRG Trainee of Year Award GRG Trainee of Year Award YES NO X X X X Indications that you want your abstract considered for an award sends the message to the review committee that this is really important work Indications that you want your abstract considered for an award sends the message to the review committee that this is really important work

Example of a Winning Abstract DDW 2005 Presentation Preference: ALWAYS ORAL ALWAYS ORAL Sends message of its importance Sends message of its importance Elements of Style: Proof read Proof read Good grammar Good grammar Correct spelling Correct spelling Do not use every square inch of space Do not use every square inch of space

Example of a Successfully Published Manuscript

Expediency: Convert the abstract into a manuscript while the topic is relevant Convert the abstract into a manuscript while the topic is relevant Submit for publication as soon as abstract has been accepted for the program Submit for publication as soon as abstract has been accepted for the program

Example of a Successfully Published Manuscript Style Elements: Same as they were for the abstract: Same as they were for the abstract: Categories Categories Background Background Aims Aims Methods Methods Results Results Discussions Discussions Conclusion Conclusion

Example of a Successfully Published Manuscript Background: Gives the perspective of the field and describes unknown questions Gives the perspective of the field and describes unknown questions Sets up why your work is important Sets 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 Manuscript General Manuscript Goals: Background Tell the reviewer what important work needs to be done in this area Methods / Results Describe the important work that you did which fulfills this unmet need DiscussionDescribe: 1) why the work is important 2) unique contributions of your work 3) limitations

Example of a Successfully Published Manuscript Discussion: No more than 5 to 8 paragraphs No more than 5 to 8 paragraphs Describe the major points of your study Describe the major points of your study Your DISCUSSION is not a review paper Your DISCUSSION is not a review paper Goals are to: Goals are to: Capture the reviewer’s attention Capture the reviewer’s attention Stop after major points have been made Stop after major points have been made

Example of a Successfully Published Manuscript Cover Letter: Ask your colleagues which of the Associate Editors would be most receptive to your work Ask your colleagues which of the Associate Editors would be most receptive to your work Let the editor know why this work is important Let the editor know why this work is important Let the editor know where you are in your career Let the editor know where you are in your career If work was supported by a career development grant, state so in the cover letter If work was supported by a career development grant, state so in the cover letter

After CRYER’S recommendations for Winning Abstracts & Prolific Publications, you will soon rise to this point: