Module 5: Executive Summaries & Policy Briefs

Module 5: Executive Summaries & Policy Briefs Welcome to your C2 writing framework. At the proficiency level, the challenge is no longer generating words, but eliminating them. High-level stakeholders—such as CEOs, ministers, and board members—do not have time to read fifty-page reports. Your entire argument must survive within a single page. Core C2 Writing Frameworks: The Executive Summary: Condensing background, findings, and actionable recommendations into a high-density, one-page document. Nominalization: Turning long clauses into dense noun phrases to increase professional tone and save space. The Policy Brief: Structuring objective, unbiased options for decision-makers while subtly guiding them toward the optimal recommendation. Syntactic Trap: The Abstract vs. Summary Confusion A common error among advanced writers is treating an Executive Summary like an Academic Abstract. An abstract focuses on the research methodology. An executive summary focuses entirely on the business or p…