Comprehending hundreds of pages of a business proposal, internship report, or any other project is not an easy task. Unless, you create an abridged version, about one or two pages long, called a summary report. Yes, making a short version of any topic sounds easy. But not when you are in doubt of which details are relevant, important, and needed in the report. Learn more about summary report templates and how to make one by reading the article below.
Summary Report Template
![summary report](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/summary-report.jpg)
Report – Test Summary Template
![report test summary template](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Report-Test-Summary-Template.jpg)
Test Summary Report Template
![test summary report template](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Test-Summary-Report-Template.jpg)
Executive Summary Report Template
![executive summary report template](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Executive-Summary-Report-Template.jpg)
Project Summary Report Template
![project summary report template](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Project-Summary-Report-Template.jpg)
Business Trip Summary Report Template
![business trip summary report template](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Business-Trip-Summary-Report-Template.jpg)
Meeting Summary Report Template
![meeting summary](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Meeting-Summary.jpg)
Free Weekly Summary Report Template
![free weekly summary report template](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Free-Weekly-Summary-Report-Template.jpg)
Construction Summary Report
![construction summary report](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15112430/Construction-Summary-Report-.jpg)
Project Status Report Template
![project status report template](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15113344/Project-Status-Report-Template.jpg)
Executive Summary Report Sample
![executive summary report sample](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15113633/Executive-Summary-Report-Sample.jpg)
Test Summary Report Template
![test summary report template](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15112617/Test-Summary-Report-Template.jpg)
Post-Event Summary Report
![post event summary report](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15112757/Post-Event-Summary-Report-.jpg)
Police Summary Report Template
![police summary report template](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15112909/Police-Summary-Report-Template.jpg)
Executive Summary Report
![executive summary report](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15113143/Executive-Summary-Report.jpg)
Police Complaint Audit Summary Report
![police complaint audit summary report](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15113032/Police-Complaint-Audit-Summary-Report.jpg)
Sample Progress Summary Report
![sample progress summary report](https://images.sampletemplates.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15113828/Sample-Progress-Summary-Report.jpg)
Summary Report: What Is It?
A summary report is an official document that tackles any event, project, or topic that needs to be reported for different reasons. And just like any summarized document, only the important points are highlighted. The synopsis can be about anything from a financial statement, school examination, business audit, employee training, or even a serious investigation. In short, summary reports are crucial for learning about the essential points of what to discuss easily and quickly.
How to Create a Summary Report
Indeed, summary reports are important, especially when you don’t need to waste your breath explaining vital information to your audience. But, a flawed summary report won’t do any good. It helps to be careful in making the document too. And you can create an excellent summary report by following these steps:
Step 1: Make a Report Outline
First, you need to outline or create a draft of how your summary report should turn out. Plans include the report’s format, design, purpose, etc. You can start by knowing what to summarize. Are you summarizing a business report, budget plan, or any other event? Be clear with your purpose so you’ll have an idea of how to tailor your report. Next, you will think of the format. Using our templates, do you need it in PDF, MS Word, Apple Pages, or any other example? Figure it out. The report’s outline might also be based on what your management requires.
Step 2: Write the Key Points Only
The challenge with summary reports is knowing what specific details to input. A summary report that contains twenty pages or more doesn’t sound summarized. And even if the document is short, but the important details are lacking, that is still wrong. Review your notes on what to talk about in the report until you can pinpoint the most important information. Don’t include details that your target audience already knows because you can’t just reproduce the same thing that was said.
Step 3: Be Direct
Straightforward content is the key to making an effective summary report. Indeed, you already know that the essential points are your priority. But maybe how you wrote the report was not concise enough. Be direct by avoiding filler words, small talk, anecdotes, or repetition in the document. If there is any way to use simpler words on something complicated, do so. An executive summary that short but precise will be easily understood anyway.
Step 4: Use Bullet Points and Graphic Organizers
A way to avoid long words, sentences, paragraphs, and pages is to use organizers. Using bullet points, charts, graphs, and other graphic organizers are smart approaches in presenting details shortly. But ensure that every organizer used is helping in giving information in an organized yet detailed manner. And lastly, be in the shoes of your audience and judge your report. If you think everything is well-written and organized, then you may produce the report.
FAQs
Who is the target audience of a summary report?
There is no fixed target audience for the summary report. Audiences can be anyone. But you must know who you are writing for because how the report is tailored will be according to your target audience. Conduct an analysis to figure out who will be targeted for your summary report.
What is the importance of a summary in a report?
The summary is significant as it captures the most important details about what is discussed in the report. And those important parts usually involve the main ideas, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
What are the basic characteristics of a good summary?
Generally, a good summary consists of three basic characteristics. They refer to conciseness, objectivity, and accuracy.
Sticking with lengthy reports is no longer needed when you know how to summarize any information in a short but detailed report. Expect anyone who reads the information to get the gist in no time. And with our customizable and easy-to-use templates of sample summary reports, reporting for any purpose won’t be a time-consuming process anymore.
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