How to Write an Executive Summary

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How to Write an Executive Summary

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What Is an Executive Summary?

• An executive summary previews the main points of
  an in-depth report
• It is written for nontechnical people who don't
  have time to read the main report
• It contains enough information for a reader to
  get familiarized with what is discussed in the
  full report without having to read it

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What an Executive Summary Should Do

• Provide an overview of another document or
  presentation with a clear enough understanding
  that the reader may make a decision based only on
  the Executive Summary.
• It can stand alone, if necessary, in conveying
  key points and conclusions.

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How would I go about writing an Executive Summary?

• Be familiar with the entire original document.
• Capture the purpose and the main
  recommendation(s) in one or two sentences.
• Provide key evidence (usually a short paragraph
  for each major point) as quickly and directly as
  possible. Follow the order of the original.
• Close with a brief summary and reiteration of the
  main idea.

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The Seven Step Creation Process

1. Plan to create a summary each time you write a
   business report exceeding four pages. Write the
   summary after you write the main report, and make
   sure it is no more than 1/10 the length of the
   main report.
2. List the main points the summary will cover in
   the same order they appear in the main report.
3. Write a simple declarative sentence for each of
   the main points.

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The Seven Step Creation Process

1. Add supporting or explanatory sentences as
   needed, avoiding unnecessary technical material
   and jargon.
2. Read the summary slowly and critically, making
   sure it conveys your purpose, message and key
   recommendations. You want readers to be able to
   skim the summary without missing the point of the
   main report.

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The Seven Step Creation Process

1. Check for errors of style, spelling, grammar and
   punctuation. Ask a fellow writer to proofread and
   edit the document.
2. Ask a nontechnical person to read the document.
   If it confuses or bores them, the summary
   probably will have the same effect on other
   nontechnical readers.

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Executive Summary Structure
Title
Intro Paragraph
Statement of main topic and explanation
Statement of main topic and explanation
Concluding Paragraph
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A few tips--

• The Executive Summary is all about getting
  critical information into a bosss hands so s/he
  can make a decision. Keep it short and as
  complete as possible.
• Keep your main points in mind as you write the
  summary. You do not need to include every point
  in the summary, but ensure that the major ideas
  are covered succinctly.
• No need to cite references, but if you are
  summarizing another work, introduce the document
  in the opening paragraph. Provide enough
  reference information for your reader to easily
  find the original document.

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Remember--

• The most important outcome of an Executive
  Summary is that the reader would be able to make
  a decision based exclusively on the information
  presented in the Executive Summary.

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How to Write an Executive Summary