Both abstract and table of contents are lists listing the various tags that make up the text.
Due to their similar purpose, executive summaries and table of contents are often confused. In effect, these two sections are used to show the reader a subsection of a document. However, they differ in form and content. Also, these abstracts will not be placed in the same section of the book, dissertation, internship report.
Difference Between Executive Summary and Table of Contents
In general, table of contents and Summary are differentiated based on their location in the document. The first is most often found at the end of writing. On the other hand, the abstract appears at the beginning, well before the development of the content. Nonetheless, both can render the structure of the text.
However, the table of contents should have page numbers, and the table of contents does not. It is also used to refer to the work’s reference installation. Among other things, the term includes appendices, indexes, bibliographies, tables, dictionaries, units, and transformations.
Despite these differences, the titles in the abstract, table of contents, and document body must always be the same. So you can’t just change one of the parts. If you modify the schedule, title or subtitles, you will have to do it systematically on three levels.
What is a directory?
The table of contents is at the termination of the book. It details all parts of the document: sections, subsections, chapters, paragraphs, etc. It indicates page numbers for a thorough search by the reader.
The term “table” may designate a collection of data or a methodical presentation of data.
What is a summary?
The table of contents corresponds to the abstract and is usually placed at the beginning of the work. It provides a comprehensive listing of the parts of the book (main section, introduction, conclusion, chapters, and page numbers to access them).
The term comes from the Latin summarium, “summary, abbreviated”, from summa. The adjective “summary” defines what is abbreviated, which in turn defines what is very simple, superficial, and elementary.
How to create summaries and tables of contents in Word?
Not finding how to make a table of contents in Word is actually the same as making a table of contents. Therefore, you must use the same tool to design both parts. The main difference is their placement in the written work. To create them:
-Put the cursor on the area provided for the summary/table of contents;
-Go to the References section, Table of Contents, then Personalization Table of Contents;
-Fill in 2 or 3 in the display level field and verify;
-Click Insert Table of Contents to confirm the action.
The number of levels fundamentally depends on the structure of the document. You only need 2 levels, including title and subtitle. However, you can always add other levels. Avoid elaborating summaries with only sections, subsections, paragraphs…
Different types of abstracts
Abstracts can take different forms depending on the nature of the work or document in question. The term specifically designates a list placed at the beginning of a book, a document, a review, etc. It is used here to denote headings and subdivisions of writing. This part plays a fairly similar role in everyday life.
In newspapers, the abstract is part of the headline and is placed after the subheading. It sets out the nature of the information contained in this publication. In stories, however, the name refers to the story prior to the main narrative time. Thus, summaries link past events to the rest of the work. This text usually comes before a pivotal moment in the story.
Finally, the paper abstract is a summary of the plan designed to help readers find their way through the document. This is a short table of contents. This section usually follows the acknowledgments and precedes the introduction. Depending on the context and audience, this presentation can also be given orally.
