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
Example of a Winning Abstract
DDW 2005
Presentation:
• Organized into categories
• Categories are separated & bolded
Example of a Winning Abstract
DDW 2005
Background:
• Gives the perspective of the field
and describes unknown questions
• Sets up why your work is important
• Should be concise & clear(1-2 lines)
Example of a Winning Abstract
DDW 2005
Aim:
• One sentence
• Clearly describe what you propose
to study
Example of a Winning Abstract
DDW 2005
Methods:
•
Clearly describe project
• Sufficiently long to have complete
description
• Eliminate unnecessary detail
• Show METHODS to colleague who
is unfamiliar with your work and
ask them if the description is clear
• Define all abbreviations
Example of a Winning Abstract
DDW 2005
Results:
• Show main results
• Make 2 to 4 major points
• Use Tables & Figures when possible
• Always have statistics:
• P values
• 95% Confidence Intervals
Example of a Winning Abstract
DDW 2005
Conclusion:
•
Make 1 to 2 major points
• Make sure conclusion supports:
• AIM
• RESULTS
Example of a Winning Abstract
DDW 2005
Grant Support:
•
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
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
• Your work will have a greater chance of:
• Getting noticed
• Being more highly rated
• Making it to an oral presentation
Example of a Winning Abstract
DDW 2005
Consideration for Abstract Award:
•
AGA/FDHN Travel Award
YES NO
X
• GRG/ AGA Travel Award
X
• GRG Abstract of Year Award
X
• GRG Trainee of Year Award
X
• 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
• Sends message of its importance
Elements of Style:
•
Proof read
• Good grammar
• Correct spelling
• Do not use every square inch of space
Example of a Successfully Published Manuscript
Example of a Successfully Published Manuscript
Expediency:
• Convert the abstract into a
manuscript while the topic is
relevant
• 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:
• Categories
• Background
• Aims
• Methods
• Results
• Discussions
• Conclusion
Example of a Successfully Published Manuscript
Background:
• Gives the perspective of the field
and describes unknown questions
• Sets up why your work is important
• 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
Discussion
Describe:
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
• Describe the major points of your
study
• Your DISCUSSION is not a review
paper
• Goals are to:
• Capture the reviewer’s attention
• 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
• Let the editor know why this work
is important
• 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
After CRYER’S recommendations for
Winning Abstracts
&
Prolific Publications,
you will soon rise to this point: