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English 371: Executive Summary
- Length: 300 to 600 words.
- Format: Format in block paragraphs: no indenting, single-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point type, Times New Roman.
- Relevant Assigned readings:
- Lesson 15 "Front and Back: The Cover Page or Cover Letter, the Abstract, the Table of Contents, and the Appendix" in OGWB
- Step 10 "Writing the Proposal Summary" in WGSBS
Details
The Executive Summary -- sometimes called the Abstract -- is a miniature version of the entire grant proposal. In just 1 or 2 pages, it gives the reader -- the person reviewing your proposal -- an overview of the community need, the project designed to address that need (including goals and objectives), the budget, and the organization making the proposal.
Write the Executive Summary so that someone who reads this component and nothing more would be able to understand what your proposal is about. Grantfunders receive a great many grant proposals, and the first step in their review process is to determine which ones they want to spend more time reading -- and which ones to put aside. Your job with the Executive Summary is to make them interested in reading the entire proposal.
Executive Summary Samples
Download and read these Executive Summaries
Executive Summary evaluation criteria
Adapted from OGWB and WGSBS
- Summary clearly identifies the applicant.
- Summary establishes the applicant’s qualifications to carry out project.
- Describes the specific need being addressed.
- Describes the specific objectives to be achieved.
- States the total program or project cost.
- States the amount of funding requested.
- Document is clearly written, easily digestible, avoids using jargon, and does not make the reader have to work to understand the point.
- Writing is mechanically and grammatically correct, free from significant errors that detract from meaning.
- Research (if any) is cited correctly according to MLA Style, both in the text of the statement and on the works cited page.