HOW TO WRITE AN ABSTRACT

Introduction
The abstract for the business course should be structured in the format listed below using business related articles from business periodicals (see the sample list below). Do not use Time Magazine, Newsweek, US News and World Report or the Messenger-Inquirer Newspaper for business related articles. The abstract is a formalized personal critical thinking written response of what the student has read. For B&E 100, BA 120, BA 160, BA 200, BA 282, and BA 291, the article should be selected from course related topic areas.

The abstract for the business related courses should use business discipline related articles from the business periodicals listed in OCTC Learning Resource Center (The Library) or other collegiate libraries. On-the-job articles may be used if they are taken from an industry trade journal PREAPPROVED BY THE COURSE INSTRUCTOR for the abstract assignment. Job articles not preapproved by the instructor may be rejected as an assignment at the instructor’s option.

The Abstract Assignment has three component parts: (1) Reference, (2) Summary, and (3) Critique. In addition to the reference listed under the Abstract Format. The Summary section should contend an introduction of the article under analysis with an explanation of why the subject is of current interest. Also the summary of the periodical should list the article’s main points with the author’s purpose for writing.

The critique section of the abstract should carry an evaluation of the author’s article. Comments on whether the author’s information was accurate, defined terms clearly, and presented the article logically. Do you, the student, agree or disagree with the author’s views. Remind the reader of the strengths and weaknesses of the article.

Abstract Magazine
The magazine article must be a minimum of 8½”x11” of text (one page minimum) and come from one of the following listed below between the

ABA Banking Journal      Accounting Review      Administrative Management     Advertising Age
American Economic Review      Business Week     Forbes      Fortune      Harvard Business Review
Human Resource Management      Industry Week      Journal of Small Business Management
Kiplinger Personal Finance      Marketing News      Money     Wall Street Journal      Preapproved Magazine(s)

Abstract Format

The abstract writing project must be typed on 8 ½ “ x 11” size paper with double spacing, with APA style format moderated with one inch margins at the top, bottom and both sides. The abstract must be one page in length (minimum) with a two pages in length ( maximum).

Please note, The abstract which is due on syllabus date requires an article from a business periodical listed in your “How to write an Abstract” dated Dec. 1, 2004 thru April 1, 2005. The Magazine article must be a minimum of l page (81/2 x 11) in length and can be taken from the internet or library.

Article Summary - States article’s main points and information on the author.

Article Critique - States article’s strengths and weaknesses and your article opinions.

Course Assignment
One Library Abstract and One Internet Abstract

Sample Draft of an Abstract

Reference-Library
Clark, K. (1996) The Job-Inflation Connection. Fortune. Vol. 134, Iss. No. 4, (8/19), 36

Reference-Internet
Clark, K. (1996) The Job-Inflation Connection. Fortune. (Internet down load date)
[Internet Site-http://www.]

Summary
This article on economic indicators presents one of the building blocks of the economic universe - the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU). The economists viewed the unemployment rate at a natural level or best guess of six percent. The article indicated that when the unemployment rate dropped below six percent, inflation would increase driving the sale of bonds and the labor market tended toward equilibrium through (1) higher interest rates and (2) tighten federal reserve monetary policy.

Although NAIRU appears to be at equilibrium at a 6 per cent unemployment rate, it is a moving target which rises and falls with economy. Harvard University Faculty members Staiger and Stock have estimated that NAIRU operates in a wide band and is now somewhere between 4.1% and 6.7% with a best guess NAIRU target of 5.6%.

Critique

The author, Harvard University faculty member, presented the information in a straight forward manner. The strengths of the article are the unemployment/inflation twenty year chart and economic explanations within the economic environmental factor commentary. The weakness of the piece was the detail explanation of the macroeconomic nature of the article. I think business/economic students will pay more attention to NAIRU curve in the future. The students will also develop an understanding of the impact of inflation and interest on the economy