SUMMARY REPORTPRESENTED BY: SYED OSAMA ALI

BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONCOLLEGE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

What is a Summary Report?

A summary report is a short written communication which may have a variety of purposes such as:

To brief the reader on the details of a particular event

To analyse a particular issue

To draw conclusions

To make recommendations

To convince the reader of the importance of taking a particular course of action.

What a Summary Report should do?

It contains enough information for a reader to get familiarized with what is discussed in the full report without having to read it

Provide an overview of whole document or presentation with a clear enough understanding that the reader may make a decision based only on the summary report.

It can stand alone, if necessary, in conveying key points and conclusions.

How would I go about writing an Summary Report?

Be familiar with the entire original document. Capture the purpose and the main recommendation(s) in

one or two sentences. Provide key evidence (usually a short paragraph for each

major point) as quickly and directly as possible. Follow the order of the original.

Close with a brief summary and glimpse of the main idea.

The Seven Step Creation Process

1. Write the summary after you write the main report, and length

should be no more than 1/10 of the main report i.e 300 to 600

words.

2. List the main points in the same order they appear in the main

report.

3. Simple declarative and concise sentence for each of the main

points .

How to write a Summary Report?

4. Add supporting or explanatory sentences if needed.

5. Read critically and make sure it conveys your purpose, message

and key recommendations.

How to write a Summary Report?

The Seven Step Creation Process

6. Check for errors of style, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ask a fellow writer to proofread and edit the document.

7. Ask a nontechnical person to read the document. If it confuses

or bores them, the summary probably will have the same effect

on other nontechnical readers.

How to write a Summary Report?

The Seven Step Creation Process

1. Clear title to explain purpose of report

Example Manager of the local credit union

What is the layout of Summary Report?

Layout

2. Author:

Name of Person submitting report

What is the layout of Summary Report?

Layout

3. Aims of report

Give 3 aims – If a group activity at least one personal 2 “we’s” and 1 “I”

Example: We/I improved our knowledge of ………

We/ improved…. skill

What is the layout of Summary Report?

Layout

4. Body of the report Remember:

• Logical sequence• Some background to activity• Use sub-headings – bold, numbered or bulleted lists are

recommended • Give details – good descriptions

What is the layout of Summary Report?

Layout

5. Conclusions:

Refer back to aims and address in the same order

What is the layout of Summary Report?

Layout

6. Recommendations:

• Give 3 at least

Suggestions :

• Would you recommend this activity to others and why?• What would have improved this activity ?

What is the layout of Summary Report?

Layout

Title Clearly identifiable title

Author 

 

Terms of Reference / 

Aims

Why the report was written or requested What student/group hope to achieve 

Body of the Report  

Paragraphs in a logical sequence, the use of numbered or bold headings and bulleted lists is recommended

Conclusions Concise list, should refer back to the terms of reference/aims 

RecommendationsSuggestions for future action, based on the summary report’s conclusions, might also include follow-on activities or describe how the student might perform better in a future exercise

The use of summary reports are in; Education

Example : A team building activity Business

Example: The use of information technology by a business Organization

Example: An investigation of a voluntary organisation Corporations

Example: Current Stocks evaluation

Where Summary Report can be used?

Application

Not acceptable:

X Report on preparation for my driving test X Report on preparation for my debs

Where Summary Report cannot be used?

Sample of Summary Report