• LAVA Moderator: Shinji Ikari

Writing a Preface

Pillthrill

Bluelighter
Joined
Dec 12, 2007
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USA
I've been working on my Experimental Psychology paper for 2 years now and now it is time to write a preface. Where do I even start? How do I sum this thing up in 80 words?!
 
You could focus on one thing in particular, or one example that illustrates a good point in your book. Use that as an introduction to the rest of the paper.

This might be good rather than trying to be too generic and cover absolutely everything in your paper.
 
I think the word you're looking for is 'abstract,' and not preface. I might be wrong in your case, but typically prefaces are much longer than 80 words.

What I would do would be to take those 80 words and summarize the major research and findings in your paper to the common person, whom you assume knows nothing. Meaning that it should be watered-down to a degree, but also hit upon the main themes of your paper, problems you encounter, methods to try and solve such problems (or answer proposed questions), and then a hint at your results.
 
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