Research Guides: General Business 360 Communication Guide: Executive Summaries

The Executive Summary is the most important section of a report, because it provides meaningful perspective intended to guide the decision-makers who read it. It is a highly condensed version of your report for those who do not have time to read the whole report. The Executive Summary both replaces the content of the report and delivers the most compelling insights in the report.

It should be between five and ten percent of the length of the report itself.

To create an effective Executive Summary

Articulate the purpose of the report including the audience and brief context.

Describe the content and key findings of each section in short, crisp paragraphs that grab the reader’s attention.
- Include any necessary information about the scope or resources in the section descriptions.
- Replace the introduction’s report preview with the section descriptions.

Reflect the order of the report in the organization of the Executive Summary.

Match the headings to the main sections of your report.

Engage the reader by using simple, persuasive language; avoid stiff, formal wording and jargon.

Note: Do not copy your introduction into the beginning of the Executive Summary; this will create unnecessary repetition.