TOPIC 7: WRITING THE CONCLUSION AND ABSTRACT
In this stage, students are invited to discuss the importance of the conclusion and abstract, and references in a scientific article. The lecturer facilitates guiding questions such as:
- What is the function of a conclusion?
- How can research be summarized in an abstract?
T 7.1 Brainstorming
Students independently examine examples of conclusions, abstracts, and references from reputable journal articles. They are asked to identify language features, structural patterns, and compliance with citation styles. In addition, students begin exploring and organizing their own references using reference management tools such as Mendeley or Zotero.
Task: Analyze the sample conclusion, abstract, and references from a reputable journal article.
Worksheet 7.1 Abstract and Conclusion Analysis with Swales CARS Model
Instructions:
Read the following abstract below. Analyze each sentence by identifying its move according to Swales’ CARS model. The title of the article is Digital Multimodal Composing in EFL Grammar Instruction: Exploring Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences and Perspectives. It is written by Irma Savitri Sadikin (Esa Unggul University) and Yanuarti Apsari (IKIP Siliwangi). It was published in JOLLT (Journal of Languages and Language Teaching), Vol. 13, No. 3 (2025).
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Read the conclusion above. For each sentence, identify its move according to Swales’ CARS model and complete the table below.
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Sentences from Conclusion |
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Reflection Questions
- Which Move is most commonly found in the abstracts?
- Which Move is sometimes missing? Why do you think so?
- What tenses are frequently used in each Move?
- What lesson can you apply to your own abstract writing?
- Does the conclusion provide only a summary, or does it also interpret findings?
- How are implications for theory or practice stated?
- Is there a mention of limitations or suggestions for further research?
- What can you apply in writing your own conclusion?
T 7.2 Individual Exploration
In this stage, students start drafting their own conclusion and abstract references for the article they are developing. They apply insights gained from the brainstorming stage and adapt them to their own research context.
Worksheet 7.2 – Drafting the Conclusion and Abstract
Instruction:
In this stage, you will begin drafting your Conclusion and Abstract, for the article you are developing. Use the insights from the brainstorming stage (class discussion, sample articles, and feedback) and adapt them to your own research context.
Part A. Drafting the Conclusion
- Restate the research purpose in one sentence:
- Summarize your main findings (2–3 sentences):
- Highlight the contribution or significance of your study (2–3 sentences):
- Suggest implications or recommendations for future research (optional):
Part B. Drafting the Abstract
Follow the general structure (Background – Aim – Method – Findings – Conclusion). Write in one paragraph (150–200 words).
Submission Instruction: Upload your draft of the Conclusion, Abstract, and References to the discussion forum below. You will exchange feedback with your peers in the next stage.
T 7.3 Sharing and Discussion
Students share their initial drafts in small groups or class discussions. They exchange feedback by comparing their work with peers, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and adherence to academic writing conventions. The lecturer provides additional guidance to highlight good practices and common mistakes.
Worksheet 7.3
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T 7.4 Drafting and Refining
Based on peer and lecturer feedback, students revise and refine their conclusion, and abstract. They improve accuracy, coherence, and formatting to align with the requirements of target journals. At the end of this stage, students are expected to have a near-final version of these sections ready for integration into their full article draft.
Instructions:
Revise your draft of the abstract and conclusion based on peer and lecturer feedback. Pay special attention to accuracy, coherence, and journal requirements (e.g., formatting, style, citation). Complete the self-checklist and reflection below to evaluate your progress.
- Answer all questions carefully.
- Review your results and take notes on areas that need improvement.
Self-Revision Checklist
| Criteria (Yes/No) | Abstract | Conclusion |
| Is the structure consistent with academic conventions (e.g., Swales CARS model for abstract)? | ||
| Is the language clear, concise, and free from redundancy? | ||
| Are implications and significance of findings clearly stated? | ||
| Are limitations or future research directions included (if required)? |
Reflection Questions (Individual)
- After revision, what improvements can you see in your abstract and conclusion?
- Which feedback (peer/lecturer) was most helpful for your revision?
- How confident are you that your draft now aligns with target journal requirements?
- What challenges did you face during revision, and how did you overcome them?