Writing an Abstract for an Engineering Capstone Project

An abstract is a concise summary of your engineering capstone project that highlights the purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions. It serves as an overview for readers to quickly understand the essence of your work.

3.1 Structure of an Abstract

  • Background and Problem Statement: Briefly explain the context of the problem you addressed and its importance in the field of engineering.
  • Objectives: State the main objectives of your project. What were you trying to achieve?
  • Methods: Provide a short description of the methods or approach you used to solve the problem.
  • Results: Summarize the key findings or results of your project. Include any quantifiable results, such as performance improvements or efficiency gains.
  • Conclusion: Conclude with a statement about the significance of your findings and any recommendations for future work.

3.2 Tips for Writing an Abstract

  • Keep it concise: An abstract should be between 150 to 300 words. Avoid unnecessary details.
  • Be clear: Use simple, straightforward language to convey the essence of your project.
  • Write it last: While the abstract appears first in the report, write it last so that you have a complete understanding of your project’s outcomes.