Abstract and executive summary share common elements that often confuses novice researchers. While both summarizes a larger document, their function, structure, purpose, and audience differ significantly. This article explores these differences to clarify when and how to use each.
Learn more about “How to Write a Executive Summary” and How to Write an Abstract.” In these links, you can also find sample abstract and executive summary.
| Abstract | Executive Summary |
| Function: An abstract is a concise overview of a research paper, thesis, or journal article. | Function: An executive summary is a concise overview of a business report, policy paper, or proposal. |
| Purpose: Abstracts are used in academic settings to help readers determine whether the full document is relevant to their research. | Purpose: Executive summaries are used in business, government, and nonprofit organizations mainly for decision making. |
| Audience: Intended for scholars, researchers, and students. | Audience: Written for business executives, stakeholders, or policymakers. |
| Structure: Background information, gap statement, objective, methodology, finding, significance. * | Structure: General purpose of the report, problem statement, methodology, results, conclusion, limitations, recommendations. * |
| Length: Typically ranges between 150–250 words. | Length: Varies but can range from one to several pages, depending on the complexity of the report. |
| Tone and Style: Objective, factual, and academic. | Tone and Style: Objective, factual, persuasive, structured for decision-making. |
| Stand-alone document. It is part of the main research. | Stand-alone document. It makes sense if it is separated from the report. |
| Similarity | Similarity |
| a. Written after the research is written b. Placed at the beginning of the document c. Provides a summary of a larger document. d. Helps readers quickly understand key points. e. Maintains a concise structure. | a. Written after the report is written b.Placed at the beginning of the report c. Provides a summary of a larger document. d. Helps readers quickly understand key points. e. Maintains a concise structure. |
* Note: You can write the abstract and executive summary slightly differently depending on the nature of your research or report.
For additional guidance, see this quick guide from University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
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