SUMMARY REPORT

PRESENTED BY: SYED OSAMA ALI

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
COLLEGE 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.

How to write a Summary

Report?
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?
The Seven Step Creation Process
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.

What is the layout of Summary

Report?
Layout
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

and 1 I

Example:

We/I improved our knowledge of

We/ improved. skill

2 wes

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 ?

Title

Clearly identifiable title

Author

Terms of Reference /

Aims

Body of the Report

Conclusions

Recommendations

Why the report was written or requested

What student/group hope to achieve

Paragraphs in a logical sequence, the use of numbered or bold

headings and bulleted lists is recommended

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

Suggestions for future action, based on the summary reports

conclusions, might also include follow-on activities or describe
how the student might perform better in a future exercise

Where Summary Report can be

used?
Application
The use of summary reports are in;

Education

Business

Example: The use of information technology by a business

Organization

Example : A team building activity

Example: An investigation of a voluntary organisation

Corporations

Example: Current Stocks evaluation

Where Summary Report cannot

be used?

Not acceptable:

Report on preparation for my driving test

Report on preparation for my debs

Sample of Summary Report