| Writing an Executive Summary is very similar to | | | | function. An Abstract in a scholarly report is simply a |
| writing any other sort of Summary, in that its main | | | | shorter version or overview of the entire |
| purpose is to condense, simplify and highlight a larger | | | | document. It is like an extraction of the whole |
| document. An Executive Summary, however, is | | | | document and retains the general sense of unity as |
| usually written intended for an audience that does | | | | the original. The Executive Summary, on the other |
| not have time to read the entire document. It is | | | | hand, does more than give a Summary or |
| usually read by key decision maker/s, such as | | | | overview. It lends more insight into the significant |
| Executives or policy makers, regarding whatever the | | | | messages in the proposal or report, and the |
| proposal or report addresses, and the Summary aims | | | | conclusion and justification of that proposal. The |
| to convince or persuade the audience to take certain | | | | Executive Summary informs the reader what is being |
| actions. | | | | proposed in the report, makes recommendations, and |
| An Executive Summary is sometimes referred to | | | | tells the reader what response is instigated by the |
| synonymously with a scholarly Abstract, although an | | | | report. |
| Abstract differs slightly in its purpose and | | | | |