ABSTRACT VS.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 ABSTRACT

An Abstract is an abbreviated summary of a research article,

thesis, review, conference proceeding or any in-depth
analysis of a particular subject or discipline, and is often used
to help the reader quickly ascertain the paper's purpose.
When used, an abstract always appears at the beginning of a
manuscript, acting as the point-of-entry for any given scientific
paper or patent application.

An abstract is a self-contained, short, and powerful statement

that describes a larger work. Components vary according to
discipline. An abstract of a social science or scientific work
may contain the scope, purpose, results, and contents of the
work. An abstract of a humanities work may contain the thesis,
background, and conclusion of the larger work
 ABSTRACT

Most research articles and reports are prefaced by an abstract.

An abstract is an overview of the entire text.
It is sometimes called a synopsis.
Unlike the introduction, which leads the audience to the body of
the text, the abstract is a text about a text it provides a
commentary on the text that follows from beginning to end.
It is short, half - to one - page summary where each new
sentence is new information so that a concise summary is
achieved without paragraphing.
It is usually written impersonally.
Check that your abstract has at least one sentence about each
section of the report, and in the same order.
It should be written after the report is completed, when you have
an overview of the whole text, and placed on the first page of
the report.
 THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

An Executive Summary is, basically, anything but a

product presentation, and nothing but a persuasive
sales pitch. Far more than an abstract merely
presenting the rest of the document, it's your unique
opportunity to convince the reader that your
proposal provides the best value proposition: the
best benefit at the lowest cost. The more technical
your proposal, the more critical the executive
summary is likely to be, because, unlike the
abstract, the executive summary forbids
technicalities to instead concentrate on
substantiating the benefits for the customer.
 THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

An executive summary is derived from the business

practice of giving executives a concise outline of the
main points in a report, indicating where in the report to
locate more detailed information.
The summary may be several pages long for a long
report, and may include headings and dot points or
numbered points.
It must be concise and without details, providing a
commentary on the main points and follow the
sequence of the report itself.
Like the abstract, it should be written after the report
is completed, when you have an overview of the whole
text, and placed on the first page of the report.
 ABSTRACT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NATURE Abbreviated summary. Unique selling point (USP).

AUDIENCE Specialized (researchers), or mere readers. Managers, as decision makers.

SCOPE Informational, academic, administrative, and other general Solicited or unsolicited sales proposals and bids (P&B).
documents (thesis, articles, patents).
Job rsums fit in this case!

PURPOSE Give information. Call for action.

Ascertain the purpose of the whole document, give an overview Persuade reader to buy on the recommended solution addressing the
or preview of its content. problem.

CONTENT 1.Mainly technical: Present the problem and scope;
2.Expose the used methodology;
3.Report observations and results;
4.Draw conclusions and recommendations.
1.Mainly managerial (The 4 rules of persuasion): State outcomes and
benefits;
2.Substantiate benefits with proofs of concept;
3.Apply benefits to the reader's particular; context (win themes);
4.Recommend a solution to address the problem.

LENGTH Short. Short.

Shorter than the executive summary. Longer than the abstract.

STYLE Technical, static, and more academic. Managerial, dynamic, and more enthusiastic.