Objective Summary: What It Is & How to Write One in 2024

I’ll tell you what an objective summary is with just one example:

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Before:“Have you ever had a dreams That… Ss You wi- You wants- That you- Um You had You’d- You wi- You could- You’d do- You wi- You wants- You- You could do so- You- You do you Um You had You’d– You could- You- You want- You want- You You could do so You wou- That you- Um You had- You’d- You could- You’d do- You- You’d do- You wi- You wants- You coul- You- You wann- You- You do- *inhale You’d- You wi- You wi-(n!) You- You’d- You- You could do- Tim To do you so much you can do anything?”*

After:“Have you ever had a dream so big that it makes you feel you can do anything?”

⚡This is an objective summary. (Check Jamie’s Summary of the Meme.)

You break down information by focusing on the essential parts—but not with your opinions, just the facts.

So, for example, you’re watching a movie and explaining the plot to a friend.

But instead of adding “I loved it!” or “It was so boring,” you just tell them what happened—that’s being objective (just spitting facts.)

Each sentence, or each word, must hold value. That’s the key to being concise and objective.

But there’s a method on how to write objective summaries just right. And we are going to teach you how.

Let’s get into it.

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What Is an Objective Summary?

An objective summary is a factual summary that focuses only on key points without opinions, extra words, or personal statements like “I think” or “I feel.” Mostly suitable for reports, articles, or meetings.

You keep boiling the content down to just the facts, with:

• No opinions,
• No extra fluff, and,
• Absolutely no “I think” or “I feel” moments.

An objective summary is a simple, clear, unbiased summary that includes only the key points of any form of information.

For example, take Google Maps: “Turn left, go straight, and you’ll reach your destination.”

Simple, right? That’s exactly what an objective summary does for your information.

⚡An objective summary tells you what the content is about, not what you think about it.

In contrast, a resume objective focuses on the applicant's career goals and aspirations, making it particularly useful for recent graduates or those with limited experience.

If you’re summarizing a meeting or any offline conversation, tools like Jamie can do this for you.

With Jamie, you get an accurate and neutral recap of discussions, all while skipping the headache of note-taking.

Just the facts, nothing more, nothing less!

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Why Are Objective Summaries Important?

Objective summaries are the core of any content. They help you quickly understand and decide what something is all about without the extra fluff or opinions.

In a resume, objective summaries can be used to convey career goals, especially for fresh graduates who may lack extensive experience.

Here’s why they’re essential:

• Clarity and Focus: Sticking only to the main points helps difficult information easier to digest.
• Saves Time: You won’t have to go through every detail to get the gist of any information.
• Unbiased Information: Objective summaries focus purely on facts, keeping personal opinions out.
• Supports Decision-Making: Helps teams make informed decisions purely based on facts faster.

And if you’re using Jamie, our AI meeting assistant, you’ll always have access to these kinds of human-like summaries.

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How to Write an Objective Summary

Step 1: Read the Original Content Carefully

First things first, you’ll want to read the original content. This is where you want to savor the content and absorb it like a sponge. Take notes on key points as you read.

Step 2: Identify the Main Idea

Step number two is to identify the main idea.

• What is the core of this content?
• What’s the most important thing you want to get across?

Step 3: Select Key Details

Next up is choosing key details. You’ll want to select supporting points that help explain or elaborate on that main idea. Don’t include insignificant details—they’re just noise.

Step 4: Organize the Summary using Your Own Words

Finally, you can organize your summary in your own words. Start with a strong hook that sets up your main idea, then present your key points in a logical order.

This is where you get to “translate” the content into your own voice and clear, neutral language.

Step 5: Edit for Clarity, Brevity and Objectivity

Review your summary to make sure it’s concise and to the point. Cut any wordy or biased language, and aim for a summary that’s straightforward and easy to understand.

You got this!

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Grab Your Free Objective Summary Cheat Sheet

This cheat sheet will help you write an objective summary step by step. It's designed for complete beginners, so you do not have to worry about anything.

Here's what is included in the worksheet:

• A guide to help you find the main idea in one sentence.
• Space to list the most important details.
• Easy transition words to connect your ideas.
• Step-by-step instructions to build your summary.
• A checklist to make sure your summary is complete.
• An example of a finished summary to use as a model.
• Extra tips to make your summaries even better.
• An AI tool (Jamie) that will do everything automatically for you. (say goodbye to notes.)

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Objective Summary Examples

1. Article Summary

You’re reading an article about why online meetings are here to stay. Instead of summarizing every paragraph, your objective summary would look like this:

Before

"Online meetings have become a staple in today’s world, blending seamlessly into our daily routines and bridging distances like never before. As we settle into this new era of virtual collaboration, tools like Jamie are essential, transforming chaotic home offices into focused meeting spaces. With features that reduce background noise and enhance clarity, Jamie ensures every voice is heard and every idea shines through, making remote communication feel as smooth as being in the same room."

After

“Online meetings are here to stay. Tools like Jamie help by reducing background noise, making communication clearer.”

This summary gives you the gist: online meetings aren’t going anywhere and tech can make them nicer.

2. Meeting Summary

You just got out of a meeting at a startup. It was all about how startup life is fast and, yes, a little crazy. Here’s an objective summary:

Before

"During the meeting, we discussed the unique demands of startup life. It was highlighted that working in a startup environment requires constant adaptation and a strong growth mindset due to the rapid pace of change. The team noted that transitioning from traditional enterprise roles can be challenging and often involves financial sacrifices, but the experience can be highly rewarding for those willing to embrace the dynamic nature of the work."

After

“Startup life requires quick adaptation and a growth mindset, with rapid changes. Transitioning from enterprise roles is challenging and involves financial sacrifices.”

No fluff, just facts! Jamie could do a summary like this in a few seconds, and give you the key points to reference anytime.

3. Book Excerpt Summary

For something more complex like an academic book:

Before

"The timeless petroglyphs etched into Syunik’s rugged mountainsides tell an incredible story, taking us back to a mysterious period between two powerful glacial ages. Imagine—these intricate carvings, crafted roughly 33-50 thousand years ago, have withstood the test of time, preserving the secrets and dreams of ancient civilizations frozen in history."

After

“The petroglyphs in Syunik’s mountains were carved between the first and second glacial phases, approximately 33-50 thousand years ago.”

See how easy it is to understand now. You only have to;

• Cut out the fluff,
• Cut out the adjectives, and,
• Cut out the drama.

Include only facts.

Objective Summary Tips

1. Focus on the Idea: Get the main point. Ask yourself, “What’s the point here?”
2. Highlight the Important Stuff: Only include what’s necessary—no extra fluff.
3. Be Neutral: No opinions. This is all about the facts!
4. Keep it Brief: Try to summarize in one or two sentences, especially for meetings or articles.
5. Showcase Skills: Highlight relevant skills prominently in your summary to effectively present your capabilities and qualifications.

Whether it’s an article, meeting overview, or book excerpt, a good summary should get to the point fast.

And if summarizing feels like a chore, remember Jamie’s got your back!

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Objective Summaries

When writing an objective summary, some common pitfalls can sneak up on you!

Here's how to avoid those traps and create concise summaries.

1. Your Thoughts and Opinions? Ignore Them! 

When it comes to objective summaries, you need to focus on the facts and avoid giving your opinion! If you find yourself saying things like, “I think…” or “It seems to me…”—stop right there!

Your goal is to report on facts, not what you think they mean!

2. Too Much Information Overload 

Including too many details will clutter your summary and make it seem lengthy. Focus on main ideas and key supporting details.

💡Quick Tip: Ask yourself, “Does this detail change the main point if removed?” If not, it's best to cut it out!

3. Rewriting Isn’t Summarizing

Simple rewording isn’t summarizing— it’s called “restating.”

A great summary rewrites everything in your own words and focuses on key information.

Jamie’s Executive Assistant Sidebar helps simplify complex information into clear and concise content.

4. Ignoring the Text’s Purpose and Tone

All writing has its own tone (serious, informal, etc.) and purpose (to inform, entertain, etc.). Your summary should convey both, so your readers get it.

Try summarizing a sad love story in a monotone voice—awkward, right? Whether you’re summarizing a technical paper or a fun podcast, make sure you capture the tone.

5. Credit Where Credit is Due 

When summarizing someone else’s work, don’t forget to give credit where credit is due! Adding a note about the original source is not only polite; it’s also important for avoiding plagiarism.

Objective summaries become second nature with a little practice—and Jamie can help you with that.

Jamie summarizes discussions, creates outlines for summaries, and identifies main points. So, next time you’re in a meeting, let Jamie help you avoid these common pitfalls and create the perfect summary!

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FAQs: Objective Summary

What Is the Objective of Summarization?

An objective summary is a clear set of the main points in a text. It has nothing to do with your opinion or feeling—it’s all about facts. No extra commentary, no added flair. The goal is to get the facts across to your viewers. An objective summary helps readers catch the main ideas and feel informed about the original text without any feelings involved.

Which Best Describes an Objective Summary?

An objective summary is a neutral, clear retelling of the main ideas in a text. It’s not about what you think or feel; it’s about sticking to the facts. Imagine you’re a reporter sharing just the news—no opinions, no extra flavors added. This way, anyone reading your summary gets a fair and accurate idea of the original text

What Is an Example of an Objective Description?

Here’s a clear example:

Original Text: “The city implemented a new recycling program, and as a result, waste was decreased by 30%. This is the highest waste reduction percentage in recent years.”

Objective Summary: “The city’s recycling program decreased waste by 30% and was the highest waste reduction percentage in recent years.”

See how the summary page is straightforward and only includes the details?

No extra comments or opinions are added. That’s what makes it objective!

What Is a Good Objective Summary for a Resume Summary Statement?

Be factual! For example:

• "Led a team of 10 in marketing efforts and saw online engagement increase by 25% within 6 months."

This summary is factual and includes what you did and the results. It’s not wordy or fluff—just you being awesome!

💡Fun Tip:

If you want to save time and energy, you can always use a tool like Jamie’s Sidebar to help you summarize!

Jamie’s AI-powered Executive Assistant Sidebar helps you summarize meeting notes, video brainstorming sessions, and more—and keeps it all tidy and objective! So, next time you’re in a meeting, let Jamie do the summarizing for you, and you can focus on the good stuff!