> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.workroom-productions.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Getting to a Great Abstract 2 - URL: https://www.workroom-productions.com/getting-to-a-great-abstract-2/ - Published: 2026-02-02T13:07:21.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-05T11:58:48.000Z - Description: Improve your own abstract, read other people's. - Author: James Lyndsay - Tags: Exercises, SpeakerPrep *20-minute Workroom PlayTime version. Original* [*here*](https://www.workroom-productions.com/getting-to-a-great-abstract/)*.* Your '*abstract*' summarises your content for someone else to judge. Here, we're dealing with what you write when you send your proposal to the program committee. #### who we're ignoring... Your abstract, no matter how polished, will get rewritten for different audiences. Conference advertising may need differnt text from the on-the-day guide. And you'll have your own brief verbal description, too for that moment where the small talk turns to "You're a speaker? What's your topic?" Who do you summarise for? - the people who decide what goes on the program - people who decide to engage with your content. - People who might decide to go to the event, based on what you and others have written. - Optimisation algorithms for search and summary and discovery - People who you bump into and who need a short verbal summary. - People who want to know what you've presented before. In this exercise, we'll start with real things we're working on, consider what works, make changes, get and give feedback. *Got something to share?* Put it on the Miro board. It does not have to be a polished abstract – and can be just an idea for a topic or a format if that's what you're working on. *Seeking feedback?* Put a πŸ‘ if you want to know what works. Put a πŸ‘Ž if you want to hear what doesn't. Put both if you fancy. ## Exercise: Quietly Consider Others *5 mins* Read another abstract. Decide what works. Decide what doesn't. Three of each, if you need a goal. Be very specific and write an alternative. If you like, formulate a principle (if you want to build on something, glance at Great / Poor abstract). You won't share these unless you want to. ## Exercise: Publicly Change Yours *5 mins* Apply (some of) that same judgement to *yours* – if you liked their catchy title, try working on your title. If you found it hard to understand a sentence, identify something of yours that needs work, and clarify. Make at least one change. Put your new version on the board. ## Debrief: Reflect *10 mins* We'll go round, presenting the changes we made. If you've asked for feedback, and if someone has feedback, we'll share. Celebrate any changes. Notice where your opinions match, and differ, on what makes a 'great' abstract. This is entirely good – and it enhances your unique angle, and positions you for the right audience. --- ## Example abstracts Pick one! *A Thousand Tiny Servers*, *Training a Tool to Test* and *How to be an Awesome Tester* are examples of potential, but un-developed talks, and date from 2018\. *Abstract Abstract* is a comedy example with plenty of things wrong, and is from 2019\. *Building and Handling Exploratory Interfaces* was written as a serous, but speculative, proposal in 2025\. I'll share its (rejection) feedback on request. [Anne-Marie Charrett](https://www.annemariecharrett.com) wrote *How to be an Awesome Tester* for the collection. [Fantasy Abstract – A Thousand Tiny ServersFantasy Abstract – A Thousand Tiny Servers.pdf16 KBdownload-circle](https://www.workroom-productions.com/content/files/2026/02/Fantasy-Abstract-----A-Thousand-Tiny-Servers.pdf "Download") [Fantasy Abstract – How to be an awesome testerFantasy Abstract – How to be an awesome tester.pdf17 KBdownload-circle](https://www.workroom-productions.com/content/files/2026/02/Fantasy-Abstract-----How-to-be-an-awesome-tester.pdf "Download") [Fantasy Abstract – Training a Tool to TestFantasy Abstract – Training a Tool to Test.pdf15 KBdownload-circle](https://www.workroom-productions.com/content/files/2026/02/Fantasy-Abstract-----Training-a-Tool-to-Test.pdf "Download") [Fantasy Abstract – Abstract AbstractFantasy Abstract – Abstract Abstract.pdf27 KBdownload-circle](https://www.workroom-productions.com/content/files/2026/02/Fantasy-Abstract-----Abstract-Abstract.pdf "Download") [Abstract – Building and Handling Exploratory InterfacesAbstract – Building and Handling Exploratory Interfaces.pdf50 KBdownload-circle](https://www.workroom-productions.com/content/files/2026/02/Abstract-----Building-and-Handling-Exploratory-Interfaces.pdf "Download") --- ## Support Captured at various events – thank you to participants! ### Great Abstract - catchy title - idea that has potential - indicates that thought and work has gone into communicating the message - /brief/ problem statement - real examples - demonstrates experience - clear takeaways - relevant to event - easy to read, draws you onwards - non-trivial - has substance – more than a tease, less than a paper - more than just the bright side – pitfalls, failures, antipatterns, pathologies - within word limit (and more than a couple of sentences) - offers interaction or demonstration --- ### Poor Abstract - claims expertise / authority - problem excludes content - poorly written, poorly proofread - unstructured or incoherent - buzzwords - single tool - happy paths only - One true method / β€œI’m right” - Emotionless - Tired topic