Writing an Executive Summary for a College Paper

Having to write an executive summary for a college paper can be intimidating but it reality it is very similar to writing any kind of summary.

An executive summary is a summary highlighting the key points found in a report or paper. The executive summary is found at the beginning of the paper after the table of contents but before the introduction. It is intended to encourage a busy reader to take the time, to read the entire report or papersfor.sale. An executive summary for a college paper needs to be written in a professional manner using jargon that is specific to the information being presented in the report or paper with proper spelling, sentence structure and mechanics. Like any other overview or summary the executive summary needs to summarize the key points in order of importance. The executive summary should be written after the paper is written and needs to be short, concise and to the point.

Step 1

Determine the audience for the paper. Who is the intended reader for this report or paper? Who the audience is dictates what key points of the report need to be highlighted in the executive summary. If the paper was written to address a lack of funding for school meals, the best audience would be the local school district. Use wording and information that would be important to your specific audience.

Step 2

List the key points in order of importance. This should be done while writing your paper as well. Your paper should be structured in order of importance and you can follow the points in order as they would appear on your paper. If there is a discrepancy you should attempt to restructure the paper so that it does reflect the points in order of importance so that you can easily follow that structure with your executive summary.

Step 3

Write a simple declarative sentence for each key point. Each declarative sentence should present the most important facts, generalizations, conclusions and recommendations in a concise statement. For example:

"School Nutrition is considered an important factor to better education. Well nourished students are better learners. Children are more efficient listeners when they have had a balanced meal."

Step 4

Add well structured sentences as needed to each point. These structured sentences should include brief facts and information backing up the points that you are highlighting. Give the reader a description of what they will be reading without being overall technical. Keep in mind that a summary should be short in length and it should not be loaded with wordy explanations. Each section should be concise and to the point. You want to paint a picture of the information and conclusions your report or paper presents without repeating the information in your paper word for word.

Step 5

Read over the summary slowly, checking to make sure that all of the information is correct while also looking for grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes. Make sure that it makes sense and flows well. Keep in mind that the executive summary is an overall summary of your research and hard work, it gives the reader a preview of what is to be expected in your paper. If the executive summary is well written the reader will expect the same from your report or paper.

Step 6

Ask someone else to proof read your summary. Have your proof reader, read over it to make sure it is understandable to someone that has not researched the subject and to check for any spelling, grammar or punctuation mistakes you may have overlooked.