Writing a PhD thesis in the humanities is a complex and rewarding journey, and among the essential components of this work is the abstract. The abstract serves as a concise summary of your entire thesis, providing readers with a snapshot of your research’s objectives, methodology, findings, and conclusions. While crafting a comprehensive and engaging abstract may seem challenging, it is a vital part of your thesis that can make or break your reader’s first impression of your work.
In this post, we will guide you through the process of writing an abstract for your humanities thesis, exploring the structure, key elements, and providing relevant examples from humanities research.
What is an Abstract in a Thesis?
An abstract is a brief summary of your thesis, typically about 200-350 words, that encapsulates the purpose, methodology, findings, and conclusions of your research. It serves as a quick reference for readers who want to grasp the essence of your work without delving into the full thesis. For humanities students, this could mean summarising a literary analysis, historical study, or philosophical argument in a few concise sentences.
While the abstract is placed at the beginning of the thesis, it is usually written last, after the rest of the document has been completed. The abstract should provide a coherent and accessible summary of the research, even for those who may not have expertise in your specific field.
How to Write an Abstract of a Thesis: Step-by-Step Process
Writing an abstract for a humanities PhD thesis may seem like a daunting task, but by breaking it down into manageable steps, you can ensure that your abstract is clear, concise, and informative. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing a successful abstract:
1. State the Purpose of Your Research
Begin your abstract by clearly outlining the purpose of your research. What central question are you addressing? Why is your research important, and how does it contribute to the field? In humanities research, this could involve articulating a specific theme, literary work, historical event, or philosophical theory you are exploring.
For example, if your thesis explores the role of women in Victorian literature, your purpose might be to examine how gender roles in 19th-century novels reflect and challenge societal norms.
Example of Thesis Abstract (Purpose): “This research explores the portrayal of women in Victorian novels, focusing on the ways in which authors such as George Eliot and the Brontë sisters critique the restrictive gender norms of the 19th century.”
2. Describe the Methodology
Next, briefly outline the methodology you used to carry out your research. In humanities, this often involves qualitative methods, such as textual analysis, historical research, or philosophical inquiry. Be clear about the primary sources, texts, or archives you used and how you analysed them.
If you conducted archival research, describe the specific documents you examined. If you conducted a close reading of literary texts, mention the critical frameworks or theories you applied.
In STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) research, the methodology often involves quantitative methods, where the focus is on collecting and analysing numerical data. In contrast to the qualitative approach used in humanities, quantitative research typically relies on statistical tools and experiments to establish patterns, relationships, or causal effects.
Example of Thesis Abstract (Qualitative Method): “Through a close reading of key works by Eliot and the Brontë sisters, this study employs feminist literary criticism to examine how these authors used their narratives to comment on Victorian social structures.”
3. Summarise Key Findings
In this section, summarise the main findings of your research. For a thesis in the humanities, this could involve the identification of key themes, the emergence of new interpretations, or the way in which your research fills a gap in the existing scholarship.
You should clearly state the conclusions you arrived at based on your research, without offering too much detailed evidence—save that for the main body of your thesis.
Example of Thesis Abstract (Findings): “The analysis reveals that Eliot and the Brontë sisters present female characters who both conform to and resist traditional gender roles, ultimately advocating for greater independence and agency for women in Victorian society.”
4. State the Conclusions and Implications
End your abstract with a summary of your conclusions and the broader implications of your research. In humanities studies, for example, your conclusions may tie together literary themes, offer new interpretations of historical events, or propose fresh perspectives on philosophical debates. Highlight the significance of your research and its potential impact on the field.
Example of Thesis Abstract (Conclusion): “This thesis concludes that Victorian literature can be read as a critique of gender inequality, providing valuable insights into the complexities of women’s roles during the period. It suggests that the authors’ works anticipate the feminist movements that would later emerge in the 20th century.”
5. Write Clearly and Concisely
Since the abstract is usually quite short, it’s important to communicate your research in a clear and succinct manner. Avoid overly technical language or jargon that may confuse readers from outside your field. Aim to make your abstract accessible to a broader audience, while still conveying the essential aspects of your research.
Use simple, direct language, and ensure that the abstract can be understood without prior knowledge of your specific topic.
Abstract Format for Thesis
While formatting requirements may vary depending on your institution or the publication guidelines, the general structure of an abstract for a PhD thesis should follow these guidelines:
- Length: Typically between 200-350 words.
- Font: Use the same font as the rest of the thesis (usually Times New Roman or Arial), in size 12.
- No citations: Avoid referencing other works or including citations in the abstract.
- No headings or subheadings: Write the abstract as a single paragraph without headings.
- Keywords: Some institutions may request that you list 3-5 keywords at the end of your abstract.
Sample Format:
[Title of Thesis]
[Your Name]
[Institution Name]
Abstract:
[Follow the steps outlined above: Purpose, Methodology, Findings, Conclusion]
Keywords: [Keyword 1], [Keyword 2], [Keyword 3]
Example of Thesis Abstract
To provide a better understanding of how to write an abstract for a thesis, here is a sample example:
Title: The Role of Power in Shakespeare’s Tragedies
Abstract:
This thesis explores the theme of power in the tragedies of William Shakespeare, focusing on how power dynamics shape the characters and their actions. By analysing Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear, the research investigates the ways in which power is portrayed as both a corrupting and destructive force. A combination of historical context and literary analysis is employed, examining the plays through the lens of political theory and psychoanalytic criticism. The findings suggest that Shakespeare’s depiction of power reveals a complex interplay between individual ambition, social structures, and psychological motivations. The research concludes that Shakespeare’s tragedies offer timeless insights into the nature of power and its consequences, providing a powerful commentary on human nature and politics. Further research could investigate the influence of these themes on later political thought and literature.
Keywords: Shakespeare, power, tragedy, Macbeth, Hamlet, King Lear
Conclusion
The abstract of your PhD thesis is an essential component that offers a concise and clear summary of your research. For humanities students, it is important to balance clarity with academic rigor, summarising the purpose, methodology, key findings, and conclusions of your work. A well-written abstract can encourage readers to engage with your full thesis and is often the first step in making a lasting impact on the academic community.
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