Dissertations / How to write an abstract in a research paper or dissertation? [8]

Need to know how to write an abstract for an argumentative research paper on Capital Punishment

I have been assigned to write an abstract for an argumentative research paper on Capital Punishment i.e. Death Penalty. I have never written an abstract and don't begin to know how it should be written. My original idea was to write about Racism and the Death Penalty, and give the pro and con of the argument.