An executive summary, as described by the Writing Center at UMGC, “summarizes or reviews the main points of a longer document or report for a reader that does not have time to read the entire report. An effective executive summary analyzes and summarizes the most important points in the paper or report, and will often make a recommendation based on the analysis. Executive summaries are ‘stand-alone’ documents that are almost always read independently of the reports they summarize” (UMGC, n.d.).
In a workplace setting, an executive summary is the mechanism by which you will attract an executive’s attention and should concisely summarize the materials that you are presenting.
While there isn’t a single acceptable format for an executive summary, an executive summary typically very briefly (one to two pages) includes the following:
- a first paragraph that attracts attention and gets the executive to read the rest of your summary
- bullet points and concise language to articulate ideas
- establishment of what is unique about your summary that makes it compelling for an executive to review
- a recommended basic structure:
- introduction (grabs the executive’s attention)
- statement of the problem
- recommended solution
- explanation of why this is important to do now (conveys a sense of urgency)
——— > second page
An asynchronous presentation is a prerecorded presentation for a specific audience to whom you would ideally present in person or online in real time, but cannot for practical reasons. While MS PowerPoint is considered the default presentation tool for presentations, you may consider using other presentation platforms or tools. Be sure the tool supports prerecorded narration. Dedicate enough time to the narrated presentation to get the timing for transitions right, and ensure that the sound is clear and the narration at the right volume. A good asynchronous presentation shares most of the same traits as a good live presentation. Your presentation should not be your academic paper cut into text-filled slides. Rather, consider how you might identify themes to discuss that are supported by pertinent facts from your paper. You are giving a talk to an audience, so your narrative should provide most of your ideas and argumentation. Be sure the themes either flow or transition appropriately from slide to slide. Use images and data visualization (tables, charts, or graphs, for example) where possible.