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Fig. 2.1.9 The structure of writing executive summary

                                            2.1.4 Abstract Writing

                                               Just as a traveller would check the weather before a
                                            journey, reading an abstract allows you to quickly assess

                      Glimpse into heart    whether a particular  research paper is worth exploring
                         of the paper       further. It's a glimpse into the heart of the paper, telling you
                                            what questions were asked, what methods were used, and
                                            what juicy  discoveries  were made.  By skimming  through
                                            abstracts, you can quickly decide which trails to follow and
                                            which to leave for another time.

                                            2.1.4.1 Why Do We Need Abstracts?


                                               Abstracts reflect our deeply human impulse to simplify
                                            and distil.  Since  ancient  times,  philosophers and scholars
                                            have sought to condense complex  thoughts into pithy
                          Abstracts         maxims that capture essential  truths.  The meditations  of
                          summarise         Marcus Aurelius, the poetic epigrams of Confucius, and the
                          concisely         aphorisms of Hippocrates - these teach us profound lessons in
                                            brief yet vivid phrases. The abstract, though a more modern
                                            invention, descends from this ancient tradition. It allows us
                                            to efficiently transmit knowledge between minds. It satisfies
                                            our yearning for brevity, wit, and wisdom.  They are like


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