Objective Summary

Last Updated: July 23, 2024

Objective Summary

Objective-Summary

All specific and general resumes have elements that HR or the hiring manager will quickly look at to determine if the applicant will be endorsed to the next steps in the employment process. One of the elements the HR or hiring managers will focus on is the objective summary in one’s resume.

What is an Objective Summary?

An objective summary is a concise and unbiased representation of the main ideas, key points, and essential arguments of a text. It strips away personal opinions, interpretations, and extraneous details, focusing solely on the factual content. The goal is to provide readers with a clear understanding of the original material’s essence without introducing subjective judgment or analysis, allowing them to grasp the primary information quickly and efficiently. This type of summary is commonly used in academic writing, professional reports, and information analysis to present information in a straightforward, accessible manner

How to Write an Objective Summary?

  • Read Thoroughly: Begin by reading the entire text carefully to understand its main ideas, arguments, and structure. Take notes on key points and supporting details.
  • Identify Main Ideas: Determine the central theme or thesis of the text. Identify the primary arguments or points that the author uses to support this theme.
  • Use Neutral Language: Write using neutral, unbiased language. Avoid any evaluative or subjective words that suggest personal opinions or feelings about the text.
  • Be Concise: Summarize the main points and essential supporting details in a brief manner. An objective summary should be significantly shorter than the original text.
  • Avoid Personal Commentary: Do not include your interpretations, analyses, or reactions to the text. The summary should reflect the author’s ideas and perspectives, not yours.
  • Use Direct References: When mentioning specific arguments or points, refer directly to what the author says without paraphrasing too liberally. Use quotations for critical phrases, if necessary.
  • Check for Accuracy: Review your summary to ensure it accurately represents the text’s main ideas and key points without adding or omitting important information.
  • Revise for Clarity: Edit your summary for clarity, coherence, and readability. Ensure that it flows logically and can be understood by someone who hasn’t read the original text.

The Importance of an Objective Summary

  • Efficiency: It allows readers to quickly grasp the essence of a document without reading it in its entirety, saving time and effort.
  • Clarity: By distilling complex information into its core elements, an objective summary clarifies the main themes and arguments of the text.
  • Neutral Perspective: Offering an unbiased overview, it helps readers understand the text without the influence of personal opinions or interpretations.
  • Resource for Study: Students and researchers can use objective summaries as study aids to review key concepts and arguments from their readings.
  • Foundation for Discussion: It provides a neutral basis for discussion, analysis, or further research, ensuring all participants have a common understanding of the text.
  • Aid in Decision Making: For professionals, concise summaries of reports, articles, or proposals can aid in quick decision-making by presenting essential information without extraneous details.
  • Accessibility: Makes complex or lengthy texts more accessible to a broader audience, including those who may not have the time or expertise to understand the original material in depth.
  • Content Overview: Offers an overview of content for indexing, cataloging, or reviewing purposes, helping in the organization and retrieval of information.

How Long is an Objective Summary?

An objective summary is typically concise, aiming to distill the main ideas and essential arguments of a piece of writing into a brief overview. The length can vary depending on the original text’s length and complexity but generally ranges from a single paragraph to a few paragraphs. For most purposes, an objective summary should not exceed one-third of the original text’s length and often much less. In practical terms, this means a summary could be anywhere from a few sentences for a short article to a couple of paragraphs for a longer document. The key is to cover the core content accurately and succinctly without personal interpretation or unnecessary detail.

Tips to Write an Objective Summary

Tips for Objective Summary

Download This Image

  • Understand the Text: Read thoroughly to grasp the main ideas and arguments. Highlight or note key points.
  • Identify the Main Idea: Determine the central theme or thesis and focus on the author’s primary purpose.
  • Use Neutral Language: Maintain a neutral, objective tone without personal opinions or biases.
  • Be Concise: Summarize the text succinctly, focusing on essence rather than detail.
  • Avoid Personal Interpretation: Reflect the author’s ideas accurately without adding your analysis or reactions.
  • Include Key Points: Mention the main arguments or points that support the central idea, using examples or evidence judiciously.
  • Use Direct Quotes Sparingly: Quote only when necessary for conveying specific important points; otherwise, paraphrase.
  • Review for Accuracy: Ensure the summary accurately represents the text’s main points and theme.
  • Edit for Clarity and Flow: Revise to improve clarity, coherence, and readability, ensuring a well-structured summary.
  • Follow Guidelines: Adhere to any specific length or format guidelines provided for the assignment or purpose.

Objective Summary Outline Example 1

Objective Summary Outline Example 2

Objective Style Summary Example

Corporate Objective Summary Example

Resume Objective Summary Example

What Is an Objective Summary?

The objective summary acts as a short succinct summary of one’s resume profile, which will grab the attention of the HR or Hiring manager to check the content and overall context of your resume. The objective summary will also contain tidbits of your work experience and resume skills you have placed in your resume.

How to Write an Objective Summary

A well-written objective summary will not only vouch for your credibility but will also set the tone of your resume. To write a well-written objective summary, be sure to make it succinct and straight to the point.

Step 1: Use an Objective Summary Outline

Begin by obtaining and using an objective summary outline or outline format as your main reference point. The objective summary outline will help provide structure and will help pace out the whole objective summary. 

Step 2: Write the Objective Summary

Write the objective summary which should have the length of a single paragraph. Be sure to keep the tone formal and limit the amount of flowery language in the objective summary

Step 3: Have Someone Proofread the Objective Summary

When you have finished writing the objective summary, you must have someone you trust to proofread the contents of your objective summary. This will eliminate any room for bias, which can interfere with the quality of your objective summary

Step 4: Edit the Objective Summary 

You must edit the objective summary to minimize any grammatical errors and issues that will be present in the objective summary. Not only that, but you should also follow or include the proofreader’s advice in the editing process

FAQs

How long should an objective summary be?

The objective summary should span from three to five sentences. This is because the objective summary is a short succinct group of statements, which should not take too much time from the HR or hiring manager. This is to ensure that the time the HR or Hiring manager will spend on your resume will be short and efficient.

Objective summary vs. objective statement, what is the difference between an objective summary and an objective statement?

An objective summary is a short group of statements that spans three to five sentences in one’s resume, which should relay specific information and provide a theme about a person’s personality and performance. An objective statement is a type of statement one will create and set for themselves, which will act as a way to motivate the person throughout their life.

Should I add my career goals to the objective summary?

Yes, the career goals will indicate to the HR and the hiring manager the trajectory you want to take in your career or profession. Having your career goals in your objective summary will improve your chances of being endorsed into the next step of the recruitment process.

An objective summary is a group of statements that will outline and indicate what the said person can offer to the company if the HR or hiring manager will endorse them. A well-made objective summary will improve one’s chances of moving forward in the recruitment or employment process.

How many words should an objective summary be?

An objective summary should be significantly shorter than the original text, typically ranging from 100 to 150 words, depending on the length and complexity of the source material. The goal is to concisely capture the main ideas and key points.

What does an objective summary include quizlet?

An objective summary on Quizlet would include the central ideas, main arguments, and essential details of a text, presented in a neutral and concise manner, devoid of personal opinion or interpretation.

Is an objective summary a paragraph?

Yes, an objective summary is often a single, cohesive paragraph that concisely outlines the main points and arguments of a text, although it can occasionally extend to two paragraphs for longer texts.

What is objective example?

An objective example refers to a fact or piece of information that is based on observable phenomena and uninfluenced by emotions or personal biases. For instance, stating the temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit is an objective example.

What is the correct example of objective?

A correct example of an objective could be a specific, measurable goal, like “Increase monthly sales by 10% within the next quarter,” which is clear, quantifiable, and time-bound.

What is the three part method of objective writing?

The three-part method of objective writing involves stating a fact, providing evidence or examples to support that fact, and explaining the significance or implication of the fact, all while maintaining neutrality and avoiding personal bias.

How do you write a three part objective?

To write a three-part objective, start by clearly stating your goal or what you aim to achieve. Next, specify the conditions or context under which the goal will be accomplished. Finally, set the criteria for success or how the achievement of the goal will be measured.

Objective Summary Generator

Text prompt

Add Tone

Crafting an Objective Summary: Key Steps

Objective Summary: Techniques and Tips

The Art of Writing an Objective Summary

Mastering the Objective Summary in Writing

Objective Summary Essentials for Students

Creating a Powerful Objective Summary

Objective Summary: A Quick Guide

How to Nail Your Objective Summary

Objective Summary: From Start to Finish

Polishing Your Objective Summary Skills