B1 · Module 02 · Class 06 — The Executive Voice
Narrative Scene
Santiago and Marco — Executive Summary Draft
The Vantage Capital Partners proposal is taking shape. Santiago has reviewed Marco's hedged market analysis from the previous session and is satisfied with the tone. Now comes the hardest section: the executive summary.
"The executive summary is the only section the partners will actually read," Santiago tells Marco. "Every sentence has to carry weight. No 'I think', no 'we feel', no 'we did this'. The document speaks, not us."
Marco submits his first draft. Santiago reads it in silence, then pulls up a clean page.
"Let me show you something," he says. "Watch what happens when you take the person out of the sentence."
Language Focus — Nominalization & Impersonal Structures
Formal professional writing uses two powerful tools to remove the personal voice and increase authority: nominalization and impersonal structures.
1. NOMINALIZATION — Turning Verbs and Adjectives into Nouns
Nominalization means converting verbs or adjectives into noun forms. This shifts focus from who did something to what was done — and sounds far more formal.
Verb / Adjective form (informal) | Nominalized form (formal) |
We analysed the data. | The analysis of the data… |
Costs increased significantly. | A significant increase in costs… |
We recommend this approach. | Our recommendation is this approach. |
The team implemented the plan. | The implementation of the plan… |
We assessed the risks carefully. | A careful assessment of the risks… |
They failed to meet the deadline. | Failure to meet the deadline… |
The project was successful. | The success of the project… |
We discussed three options. | A discussion of three options… |
Common Nominalization PatternsVerb → Noun: analyse → analysis | recommend → recommendation | implement → implementation Verb → Noun (-tion/-sion): assess → assessment | reduce → reduction | decide → decision Adj → Noun: effective → effectiveness | stable → stability | complex → complexity Note: Over-nominalizing can make prose dense and hard to read. Use it purposefully, not in every sentence. |
2. IMPERSONAL STRUCTURES — Removing the Actor
Impersonal structures rewrite sentences so no specific person or company is the subject. This is especially important in consulting reports, where you report findings rather than personal opinions.
Personal (avoid in reports) | Impersonal (preferred) |
We found that margins were declining. | It was found that margins were declining. |
I believe the strategy is sound. | The strategy appears to be sound. |
We expect growth of 12% next year. | Growth of 12% is anticipated next year. |
We identified three key risks. | Three key risks were identified. |
I think this model is appropriate. | This model is considered appropriate. |
Our team recommends Option B. | Option B is recommended. |
We can see that costs are rising. | It is evident that costs are rising. |
We concluded the plan was viable. | The plan was concluded to be viable. |
Key Impersonal PatternsIt + passive: It is recommended / It was found / It is anticipated / It is noted that… Subject + passive: Three risks were identified / The plan was approved / Growth is projected… Appear / seem / prove: The strategy appears viable / Costs seem to be stabilising / This proves effective… |
3. COMBINED: Nominalization + Impersonal
The most formal register combines both techniques in the same sentence. This is the standard for executive summaries, board reports, and proposals.
Marco's draft → Santiago's rewrite "We analysed costs and found they increased." — "An analysis of costs revealed a significant increase." "We think the infrastructure fund is a good fit." — "The infrastructure fund is considered a strong strategic fit." "We recommend that they hire a restructuring team." — "It is recommended that a restructuring team be engaged." |
Phrasal Verbs — Module 2set out — to present or explain something clearly and formally "This report sets out the key findings from our initial assessment." draw on — to use information, experience, or resources "Our recommendations draw on over 40 interviews with sector specialists." back up — to support a claim with evidence "Each projection is backed up by independent market data." |
Section C Vocabulary — Reporting & Structure | ||
nominalization | /ˌnɒmɪnəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | Turning a verb or adjective into a noun form for use in formal writing |
impersonal structure | /ɪmˈpɜːsənəl ˈstrʌktʃə/ | A sentence pattern that removes the personal subject, often using passive voice or "it" |
passive voice | /ˈpæsɪv vɔɪs/ | A grammatical construction where the action is more important than the actor |
register | /ˈredʒɪstə/ | The level of formality in language, ranging from casual to highly formal |
projection | /prəˈdʒekʃən/ | A calculation or estimate about what will happen in the future, used in financial reports |
Read this executive summary from the Vantage Capital Partners consulting proposal. Notice how nominalization and impersonal structures create a formal, authoritative tone.
ALTIUS CONSULTING GROUP Vantage Capital Partners — Strategic Advisory Engagement Executive Summary ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
This report presents the findings of a six-month strategic advisory engagement commissioned by Vantage Capital Partners (London) in partnership with Altius Consulting Group (Mexico City). The objective of the engagement was the assessment of infrastructure investment opportunities across Latin America, with particular attention to energy transition and logistics assets.
A comprehensive analysis of 14 target markets was conducted, drawing on proprietary data, regulatory review, and approximately 40 interviews with sector specialists. The identification of three priority markets — Colombia, Chile, and Mexico — followed from this analysis.
It is recommended that Vantage Capital initiate due diligence procedures in the prioritised markets within the next 90 days. The implementation of this timeline is considered feasible given current market conditions.
Projected returns across the recommended portfolio range from 11% to 16% on a risk-adjusted basis. This projection is backed up by comparable transaction data from the previous three fiscal years.
The full assessment, supporting data, and risk analysis are set out in Sections 3–7 of this report.
Santiago Reyes, Senior Account Director Altius Consulting Group | April 2026 |
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