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# Getting to a Great Abstract
- URL: https://www.workroom-productions.com/getting-to-a-great-abstract/
- Published: 2024-12-05T20:18:42.000Z
- Updated: 2025-01-23T10:57:26.000Z
- Description: Take your idea to a better place
- Author: James Lyndsay
- Tags: Exercises, SpeakerPrep

*A 30 minute collaborative exercise ending up in a worthwhile short abstract for your idea.*

*An abstract, here, is short text suitable for submitting to an event. It's longer than a few sentences, shorter than an article – say 300 words if you like, or 2-3 mins reading – and should help the reader judge whether they would put your idea in front of their audience at their event. It's not about you (unless your idea for a talk is about you).*

### Process

- Have a chat about your idea (you need one) and existing abstract (if you have one)
- Prime your mind with a couple of checklists *or our gallery of fantasy abstracts (to follow)*, or by searching for help with abstracts or (careful) searching for other abstracts in that area.
- Write something down!
- Ask for review, comments, advice
- (optional) Add your abstract to the gallery and ask for public comments
- Set milestones for next steps

*Facilitators: be part of chats, if invited. Have things to add to the checklists. Be ready to advise if asked, or to show one of your own abstracts / tell a story of your own. Set up (if possible) accountability partners for the milestones.*

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### 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

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### Poor abstract

- claims expertise / authority
- problem excludes content
- poorly written, poorly proofread
- unstructured or incoherent
- buzzwords
- single tool
- happy paths only
- One true method / "I'm right"
- Emotionless
- Tired topic
- Typical AI tropes