
Standard undergraduate essays usually do not require substantial originality, but your dissertation represents your own academic position. The main bulk of the piece will be based on an exposition of your own ideas, generated from an investigation of original stated objectives.

The purpose of an abstract is to summarise in a systematic and formulaic manner the content of your dissertation. The abstract serves as a short-hand for the entire piece, indicating whether or not it would be worthwhile to read. Bear this purpose in mind when drafting your own abstract.