1. How to Write an Abstract Gwendolyn MacNairn Computer Science Librarian

2. DCSI Call for Presentations Write an Abstract 100 – 150 words Submit by July 2 nd

3. Sample PDF

4. Begin with your Title A sorting algorithm for tomorrow An analysis of a divide-and-prune sorting algorithm in the CRCW PRAM model of computation with a target towards experimental performance analysis Out of sorts with sorting A divide-and-prune approach to sorting On sorting with recursion

5. Title Evaluation a) A sorting algorithm for tomorrow b) An analysis of a divide-and-prune sorting algorithm in the CRCW PRAM model of computation with a target towards experimental performance analysis c) Out of sorts with sorting d) A divide-and-prune approach to sorting e) On sorting with recursion

6. Best Title a) A sorting algorithm for tomorrow b) An analysis of a divide-and-prune sorting algorithm in the CRCW PRAM model of computation with a target towards experimental performance analysis c) Out of sorts with sorting d) A divide-and-prune approach to sorting e) On sorting with recursion

7. Sample Abstracts International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces (2002) Proceedings of the 7th international conference 2-sentence example (39 words) 4-sentence example (105 words)

8. Intelligent analysis of user interactions with web applications Laila Paganelli and Fabio Paternò In this paper, we describe a tool able to perform intelligent analysis of Web browser logs using the information contained in the task model of the application. We show how this approach supports remote usability evaluation of Web sites. Abstract composed of 2 sentences, 39 words.

9. Sketching for knowledge capture: a progress report Kenneth D. Forbus and Jeffrey Usher Many concepts and situations are best explained by sketching. This paper describes our work on sKEA, the sketching Knowledge Entry Associate, a system designed for knowledge capture via sketching. We discuss the key ideas of sKEA: blob semantics for glyphs to sidestep recognition for visual symbols, qualitative spatial reasoning to provide richer visual and conceptual understanding of what is being communicated, arrows to express domain relationships, layers to express within-sketch segmentation (including a meta-layer to express subsketch relationships themselves via sketching), and analogical comparison to explore similarities and differences between sketched concepts. Experiences with sKEA to date and future plans are also discussed. Abstract composed of 4 sentences, 105 words.

10. Sketching for knowledge capture: a demonstration Many concepts and situations are best explained by sketching. This demonstration will show the key ideas underlying sKEA, the sketching knowledge entry associate, a system we have built for knowledge capture via sketching. In particular, we will demonstrate How glyph bars and blob semantics are used to sidestep the need for recognition of visual symbols. The use of qualitative spatial reasoning to provide richer visual and conceptual understanding of what is being communicated How arrows are used to express domain relationships The use of layers to express within-sketch segmentation, including a meta-layer to express subsketch relationships themselves via sketching Using analogical comparison to explore similarities and differences between sketched concepts.

11. Good Abstracts Text that can stand alone Has a Beginning, a Middle, and an End Is Unified, Coherent and Concise Can be understood by a wide audience Say nothing that will not be in your presentation Summarize the information with new words

12. Suggested Content Motivation l Why the reader might be interested in your work… Problem Statement l What problem are you trying to solve… Approach l How are you making progress on the problem… Results l What’s the answer… Conclusion l What are the implications or your research or results…

13. WriterReader Complete content Concise description Entice the reader Written last Does it say something? Is there too much or too little? This sounds interesting, I’d like to attend the presentation! Read first

14. The Importance of Citations If people read your papers… They are more likely to cite them Citations lead to successful research careers Zero citations mean…

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16. Gwendolyn MacNairn Room 209, Office Hours 1:30 – 3:00, Monday through Friday macnairn@cs.dal.ca library@cs.dal.ca