Only include one idea in the title. If the title does not accurately communicate the content of your paper, few readers will continue on to read the abstract or summary, much less the bulk of the work. Make each idea one sentence possible. The JAOA contains examples of appropriate abstracts each month for review by aspiring authors. An example follows.
Primary peritonitis is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain.
Although historically believed to be caused only by gram positive organisms, current understanding of the disease process demonstrates infection that may be caused by viruses, gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The importance of the progression of the disease process is emphasized in making the correct diagnosis. A logical approach to the evaluation and management of primary peritonitis is outlined and a report of a case is included. The information gathered from the general and focused literature search may be grouped together by heading in manila folders. At this stage the filing should be random without refining of any type.