Abstract and Artist Statement Guidelines

Category 

Criteria

• Title is in title case format
• All genus and species names are capitalized and italicized appropriately (See style guide) 
• No extra spaces at the beginning of abstract or title

• Abstract is a single paragraph with no headings
• There are minimal or zero citations

punctuation 

• No spelling or punctuation mistakes 
• Acronyms are identified the first time they are used

• Use present or past tense in methods
• Avoid “will be” statements (e.g. I will be conducting…) in background and methods sections
  • See Abstract Writing Workshop for examples

• Use active voice (e.g. “I conducted X analyses” vs. “X analyses were run”)
• While we understand that your work was likely collaborative, we’d like for you to make explicit the ways you personally contributed to this project
• Be clear about your role in the project by using “I” statements instead of “we” or “our team” where appropriate. 

• Provide a clear understanding of the purpose, background or context of the research

• Make it clear what you are seeking to learn/understand and what your research aims are

Approach 

• Describe how you are conducting the research and/or what methodology you are using

• Outline results or preliminary results
• If still in progress, speak to anticipated results

• Share why this research matters, potential impact on the field, implications for future work, etc.

Category 

Criteria

• Title is in title case format
• No extra spaces at the beginning of artist statement or title

• Artist statement is a single paragraph with no headings
• There are minimal or zero citations

punctuation 

• No spelling or punctuation mistakes 
• Acronyms are identified the first time they are used

• Use present or past tense 

• Provide a clear explanation of your work
• If relevant, provide background, context, subject matter, purpose, theories, and/or meaning of the piece