Difference Between Executive Summary and Introduction

The main difference between the terms executive summary and introduction lies in their purpose. The executive summary provides a short, condensed version of the main text so that readers can understand the full content of the main text, and the introduction explains why the text is covered and why it is written.

Executive Summary vs. Introduction

An executive summary is a short, concise summary of a long report or document. An introduction is an essential element of a text that is found at the beginning of the text. The executive summary is intended for busy executives and gives them an overview of the project or report to help them easily understand it. The introduction draws the reader’s attention to the topic or document and encourages them to read the entire project by giving an idea of ​​what lies ahead. The executive summary also has an introduction, but covers all other features of the book or document. The introduction has background information about the book, the thesis statement, its purpose, and a summary of the central themes. It can also define technical terms and concepts, and outline the general structure of the document. The executive summary is a brief essay written at the beginning of a research thesis or article that explains the main ideas that indicate the purpose of the document and the conclusion. The introduction is a topic at the beginning of any article that helps readers discover the entire article by revealing all its aspects. It is an appetizer of what will come and serve and will be seen in the rest of the pages. The executive summary is more precise and crisp than the introduction. An introduction is much more creative in a novel than in an academic paper. The executive summary can be read as a separate document. An introduction cannot be read as a separate document. The introduction is a topic at the beginning of any article that helps readers discover the entire article by revealing all its aspects. It is an appetizer of what will come and serve and will be seen in the rest of the pages. The executive summary is more precise and crisp than the introduction. An introduction is much more creative in a novel than in an academic paper. The executive summary can be read as a separate document. An introduction cannot be read as a separate document. The introduction is a topic at the beginning of any article that helps readers discover the entire article by revealing all its aspects. It is a taster of what is to come and will serve and be seen on the rest of the pages. The executive summary is more precise and crisp than the introduction. An introduction is much more creative in a novel than in an academic paper. The executive summary can be read as a separate document. An introduction cannot be read as a separate document. The executive summary can be read as a separate document. An introduction cannot be read as a separate document. The executive summary can be read as a separate document. An introduction cannot be read as a separate document.

Comparison chart

What is the executive summary?

The executive summary is the condensed form of a report, article or document written in the main part or at the beginning of it and presenting its most important aspects. It includes the problem or proposal, background, brief analysis and the conclusion of any document. An executive summary saves time and makes the content easy to read and understand for a reader who doesn’t have a lot of time to read the entire document. It is shorter than the main document but has up to ten pages depending on the total length of the main document. Executive summaries prompt the reader to state the purpose of the document. It summarizes all the content of the document including the conclusions. It would not be wrong to say that the executive summary is just a thumbnail of the entire book. The main elements of the executive summary contain a series of paragraphs or bullet points that briefly introduce the other sections of the document. The executive summary of a business plan mostly ends with a table showing the projected profit and loss statement in summary form. The main characteristics of an executive summary are:

• is not more than 10% of the main document
• include information that is already present in the main document
• can exist separately from the main document
• The language used in it must be appropriate for the target audience.
• include recommendations, justification and conclusions

What is the Introduction?

The introduction is very common and one of the essential elements of a text found at the beginning of books, essays, reports, documents or other texts. As the name reveals, the introduction introduces the topic to the readers and explains what the document will be about. The introduction may vary depending on the type of document. For example, the introduction in an essay and the introduction in a book are very different from each other. In the introduction of a report or a book, the writer tries to tell a bit of the background of it and then cuts to the chase by mentioning the current project and goals. An Introduction also contains an outline of the entire body of the book or report. In the context of a business plan, the introduction discusses the company’s business and describes the products or services it offers. Introductions are intended to engage and stimulate the general reader and entice them to continue reading the document. They can be historical, anecdotal, or scientific in nature, and even contain a fascinating quote. The main characteristics of an introduction are:

• introduce the document and explain it briefly
• written at the beginning because it covers the most basic information
• written in an attractive way
• clearly shows the purposes and goals of the writer

Key differences

1. The Executive Summary provides a condensed version of the main document or article, while the Introduction introduces the document and briefly explains what it is about.
2. An executive summary contains all the important elements of the main text, including conclusions and recommendations, while introductions contain a thesis statement, background information, objectives, a summary of the main points, the definition of terms, and the structure of the text. .
3. One can easily understand the gist of a text by reading the executive summary, conversely, one cannot understand the entire content of a text by reading only the introduction.
4. The executive summary can be read as a separate document, while the introduction cannot be read as a separate document.
5. The executive summary is more precise and sharp on the other side of the introduction sets the scene on the document or the full text.

Final Thought

The executive summary and the introduction are parts of a document with different characteristics that prepare the reader to continue reading the document.