Summaries
Modules:

Introduction

Types of Summaries

Effective Summaries - Exercise

Audience and Purpose

Worksheet
Sample

General Guidelines

Abstracts

Annotated Bibliographies

Executive Summaries

Conclusion

  

Types of Summaries

As a writer, you should be aware of several different types of summaries, and their functions:

  • Abstracts for published articles provide a brief summary of the contents of the article so that readers can decide whether or not to read further.

  • Executive summaries at the beginning of long technical reports and proposals provide a brief overview of the entire document to help managers make decisions about a given project. In many cases, certain readers read only the executive summary, and leave more detailed sections of the report to experts in the appropriate area.

  • Introductions at the beginning of short documents such as progress or status reports present the "bottom line" up front in one or two brief sentences. These paragraphs resemble executive summaries, though in short documents they are not labelled as such.

  • Literature Reviews summarize current research on a topic to survey the issue and provide interested readers with a way to find more information. Literature reviews are typically longer documents that essentially combine and organize a series of abstracts.

  • "Overview" slides at the beginning of a presentation orient listeners and prepare them for what's coming; this preparation is particularly important in verbal communication where people can't flip pages back and forth if they miss something - knowing what's coming helps people focus more effectively.

In addition, keep in mind that you have two other important "tools" for summarizing information for your readers throughout a document:

  • Headings at the beginning of sections identify the type of information contained in the section - i.e. they summarize the topic covered.

  • Topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph summarize the main point of the paragraph and enable readers to skim a document effectively.

  • Lists (bulleted or numbered) can quickly and concisely highlight key points (results, factors, criteria, etc.) that subsequent paragraphs elaborate on.

What type of summary would be most useful in each of the following situations:

1. When reading a monthly status report, your boss wants to know whether or not your work is on schedule and within budget:

  1. Abstract
  2. Heading
  3. Introductory Paragraph
  4. Literature Review

2. Your company gives a client a 20-page proposal for a major project. The client wants to know how much the project is going to cost and what she'll get for her money.

  1. Topic Sentence
  2. Executive Summary
  3. Abstract
  4. Heading

3. The lead engineer at the client's company wants to review the technical details; he can locate that information most easily by skimming

  1. Introductory Paragraphs
  2. Topic Sentences
  3. The Executive Summary
  4. Headings

4. You've just started a research project on a topic you don't know very much about. You want a quick overview that will orient you to the major issues and help direct your research. You should read:

  1. A Literature Review
  2. Article Abstracts
  3. Topic Sentences from a 400-page book on the subject
  4. Your Aunt Bertha's 8th-grade research paper on the topic

 

Effective Summaries-->

 
Copyright 2001 - James Dubinsky, Marie C. Paretti, Mark Armstrong