摘要的常见种类
摘要的常见种类
摘要分为两类，一类是说明性摘要（Descriptive/ Indicative Abstract），一类是资料性（Informative Abstract）摘要。
1. 说明性摘要 （Descriptive / Indicative Abstract）。
如同迈克尔.艾利 （Michael Alley）所说，“一篇说明性摘要是段落形式的目录，使读者手中的一份简要地图。”从这句话中可以清楚地了解说明性摘要的作用。说明性摘要指向读者指出论文的主要议题是什么，不涉及具体的研究方法和结果，但无法给读者提供更多的详细信息。
它一般是用于综述性文章，也用于讨论、评论性文章，尤以介绍某学科近期发展动态的论文居多，常出现“… is studied”、 “…is discussed” 字样。时态多用现在时或现在完成时。其篇幅也较短，大多在100 ~ 150 字之间。以下是一篇说明性摘要的样例。
Ten widespread diseases that are hazards in isolated construction camps can be prevented by removing or destroying the breeding places of flies, mosquitoes and rats, and by killing their adult forms.
由于说明性摘要仅限于陈述论文的主要论题且篇幅较小，主要用于评述性的论文。
2. 资料性摘要 （Informative Abstract）。
资料性摘要的优点是比说明性摘要能提供多的多的信息，它应该尽量完整和准确地体现原文的具体内容，特别强调指出研究的方法和结果、结论等。其篇幅较长，大多在150 ~250 字之间。根据原文长度，也有多达500字的。通常，这类的摘要反映了论文的基本面貌，能够代替阅读论文全文。
Ten widespread diseases that are hazards in isolated construction camps can be prevented by removing or destroying the breeding places of flies, mosquitoes and rats, and by killing their adult forms. The breeding of flies is controlled by proper disposal of decaying organic matter, and of mosquitoes by destroying or draining pools, or spraying them with oil. For rats, only the indirect methods of rat-resistant houses and protected food supplies are valuable. Control of adult forms of both insects and rodens requires use of poisons. Screens are used for insects. Minnows can be planted to eat mosquito larvae.