Writing The Executive Summary

Step 1:Read the information below and Chapter 14 in the BPPW. Take brief notes and complete the Reading Review on page 220. This should be titled "Creating An Executive Summary- Notes & Reading Review" and turned in. It will be worth 10 points. Title and number this assignment and retain this for a future notebook check.

WRITING THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Executive summaries are much like other summaries in that their main goal is to provide a condensed version of a longer report's content. The key difference, however, is that executive summaries are written for someone who most likely DOES NOT have time to read the original. An executive summary seeks to let the reader in on what the real significance of the report is--what is the reader expected to respond to? The reader is usually a decision maker who will have the responsibility of deciding on some issue(s) related to the report. The executive summary must be written with this need in mind.
The executive summary is usually no longer than 10% of the original document. It can be anywhere from 1-10 pages long, depending on the report's length. For the purpose of this project, your executive summary should be no longer than one page. It is a self-contained, stand-alone document. Accuracy is essential because decisions will be made based on your summary, by people who may have not read the entire content of your report.

Functions of an Executive Summary

• Gives readers a summary of the essential contents of your document.


• Previews the main points of your document enabling readers to build a mental framework for organizing and understanding the detailed information in your document.


• Helps readers determine the key results and recommendations reported in your document.

Processes for Writing an Executive Summary
Executive summaries are typically written for longer reports. They should not be written until after your research is finished. Before writing your summary, try to:

• Scan your research to determine what the content, structure and length of the report would be.


• Highlight key points; determine purpose/central theme of the report.


• Review your research and determine what the key ideas or concepts are.


• Group ideas in a logical fashion and prepare a point form outline of the summary.


• Edit the outline to eliminate secondary or minor points; use your judgement to keeping the summary concise.


• Determine whether subtitles, bullets, selective bolding or some other type of organizational structure will add to the clarity of your summary.


• Write the summary in your own words, using a professional style.

Questions to Ask Yourself as You Write
1.What is your report about?

2.Why is it important?

3.What is included in the report?

4.What is included in each report?

Concise Statement of your Findings
As a cover sheet to a document, an executive summary need not go into ANY mention of how you conducted your analysis and/or what you're basing your conclusion(s) on. Instead, begin with a concise statement of the conclusion(s) you reached after conducting your analysis and/or research in the paper that would normally be attached. How you word the conclusion will differ depending on your audience and what they care most about. The wording must change given an audience's needs.

Your executive summary should be concise and visually appealing. To accomplish this, it is a good idea to use:

• subheadings for major sections
• white space between sections
• bullets for key points

Step 2:

Using the worksheets on pages 215-217in the BPPW, as a guide, complete a word-processed executive summary. Print two copies. One will go in your notebook as today's assignment and the other will go with your finished plan. Title and number this assignment and retain this for a future notebook check.