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How to Write a Research Synopsis: Template, Examples, & More

Last Updated: February 12, 2024 Fact Checked

Research Synopsis Template

  • Organizing & Formatting
  • Writing Your Synopsis
  • Reviewing & Editing

This article was reviewed by Gerald Posner and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 207,062 times.

A research synopsis describes the plan for your research project and is typically submitted to professors or department heads so they can approve your project. Most synopses are between 3,000 and 4,000 words and provide your research objectives and methods. While the specific types of information you need to include in your synopsis may vary depending on your department guidelines, most synopses include the same basic sections. In this article, we’ll walk you step-by-step through everything you need to know to write a synopsis for research.

Things You Should Know

  • Begin your research synopsis by introducing the question your research will answer and its importance to your field.
  • List 2 or 3 specific objectives you hope to achieve and how they will advance your field.
  • Discuss your methodology to demonstrate why the study design you chose is appropriate for your research question.

what is synopsis report

Organizing Your Research Synopsis

Step 1 Follow the formatting guidelines provided by your instructor.

  • Find out what citation format you’re supposed to use, as well as whether you’re expected to use parenthetical references or footnotes in the body of your synopsis.
  • If you have questions about anything in your guidelines, ask your instructor or advisor to ensure you follow them correctly.

Step 2 Set up the headings for your sections.

  • Title: the title of your study
  • Abstract: a summary of your research synopsis
  • Introduction: identifies and describes your research question
  • Literature Review: a review of existing relevant research
  • Objectives: goals you hope to accomplish through your study
  • Hypotheses: results you expect to find through your research
  • Methodology and methods: explains the methods you’ll use to complete your study
  • References: a list of any references used in citations

Tip: Your synopsis might have additional sections, depending on your discipline and the type of research you're conducting. Talk to your instructor or advisor about which sections are required for your department.

Step 3 Format your references.

  • Keep in mind that you might not end up using all the sources you initially found. After you've finished your synopsis, go back and delete the ones you didn't use.

Writing Your Research Synopsis

Step 1 Format your title page following your instructor’s guidelines.

  • Your title should be a brief and specific reflection of the main objectives of your study. In general, it should be under 50 words and should avoid unneeded phrases like “an investigation into.”
  • On the other hand, avoid a title that’s too short, as well. For example, a title like “A Study of Urban Heating” is too short and doesn’t provide any insight into the specifics of your research.

Step 2 Identify your research problem with the introduction.

  • The introduction allows you to explain to your reader exactly why the question you’re trying to answer is vital and how your knowledge and experience make you the best researcher to tackle it.
  • Support most of the statements in your introduction with other studies in the area that support the importance of your question. For example, you might cite a previous study that mentions your problem as an area where further research needs to be done.
  • The length of your introduction will vary depending on the overall length of your synopsis as well as the ultimate length of your eventual paper after you’ve finished your research. Generally, it will cover the first page or two of your synopsis.

Step 3 In your literature review, describe the work done by other researchers.

  • For example, try finding relevant literature through educational journals or bulletins from organizations like WHO and CDC.
  • Typically, a thorough literature review discusses 8 to 10 previous studies related to your research problem.
  • As with the introduction, the length of your literature review will vary depending on the overall length of your synopsis. Generally, it will be about the same length as your introduction.
  • Try to use the most current research available and avoid sources over 5 years old.

Step 4 Set forth the goals or objectives for your research project.

  • For example, an objective for research on urban heating could be “to compare urban heat modification caused by vegetation of mixed species considering the 5 most common urban trees in an area.”
  • Generally, the overall objective doesn’t relate to solving a specific problem or answering a specific question. Rather, it describes how your particular project will advance your field.
  • For specific objectives, think in terms of action verbs like “quantify” or “compare.” Here, you’re hoping to gain a better understanding of associations between particular variables.

Step 5 List your hypotheses for your research project.

  • Specify the sources you used and the reasons you have arrived at your hypotheses. Typically, these will come from prior studies that have shown similar relationships.
  • For example, suppose a prior study showed that children who were home-schooled were less likely to be in fraternities or sororities in college. You might use that study to back up a hypothesis that home-schooled children are more independent and less likely to need strong friendship support networks.

Step 6 Discuss the methodology and methods you’ll use in your research.

  • Expect your methodology to be at least as long as either your introduction or your literature review, if not longer. Include enough detail that your reader can fully understand how you’re going to carry out your study.
  • This section of your synopsis may include information about how you plan to collect and analyze your data, the overall design of your study, and your sampling methods, if necessary. Include information about the study setting, like the facilities and equipment that are available to you to carry out your study.
  • For example, your research work may take place in a hospital, and you may use cluster sampling to gather data.

Step 7 Complete your abstract last.

  • Use between 100 and 200 words to give your readers a basic understanding of your research project.
  • Include a clear statement of the problem, the main goals or objectives of your study, the theories or conceptual framework your research relies upon, and the methods you’ll use to reach your goals or objectives.

Tip: Jot down a few notes as you draft your other sections that you can compile for your abstract to keep your writing more efficient.

Reviewing and Editing Your Research Synopsis

Step 1 Take a break before you start editing.

  • If you don’t have that kind of time because you’re up against a deadline, at least take a few hours away from your synopsis before you go back to edit it. Do something entirely unrelated to your research, like taking a walk or going to a movie.

Step 2 Edit for clarity and concision.

  • Eliminate sentences that don’t add any new information. Even the longest synopsis is a brief document—make sure every word needs to be there and counts for something.
  • Get rid of jargon and terms of art in your field that could be better explained in plain language. Even though your likely readers are people who are well-versed in your field, providing plain language descriptions shows you know what you’re talking about. Using jargon can seem like you’re trying to sound like you know more than you actually do.

Tip: Free apps, such as Grammarly and Hemingway App, can help you identify grammatical errors as well as areas where your writing could be clearer. However, you shouldn't rely solely on apps since they can miss things.

Step 3 Check the format of your references.

  • Reference list formatting is very particular. Read your references out loud, with the punctuation and spacing, to pick up on errors you wouldn’t have noticed if you’d just read over them.
  • Compare your format to the one in the stylebook you’re using and make sure all of your entries are correct.

Step 4 Proofread your synopsis carefully.

  • Read your synopsis backward by starting on the last word and reading each word separately from the last to the first. This helps isolate spelling errors. Reading backward sentence by sentence helps you isolate grammatical errors without being distracted by the content.
  • Print your synopsis and circle every punctuation mark with a red pen. Then, go through them and focus on whether they’re correct.
  • Read your synopsis out loud, including the punctuation, as though you were dictating the synopsis.

Step 5 Share your paper with classmates and friends for review.

  • Have at least one person who isn’t familiar with your area of study look over your synopsis. If they can understand your project, you know your writing is clear. If any parts confuse them, then that’s an area where you can improve the clarity of your writing.

Step 6 Do a second round of editing and proofreading.

Expert Q&A

  • If you make significant changes to your synopsis after your first or second round of editing, you may need to proofread it again to make sure you didn’t introduce any new errors. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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  • ↑ https://admin.umt.edu.pk/Media/Site/iib1/FileManager/FORMAT%20OF%20SYNOPSIS%2012-10-2018.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.scientificstyleandformat.org/Tools/SSF-Citation-Quick-Guide.html
  • ↑ https://numspak.edu.pk/upload/media/Guidelines%20for%20Synopsis%20Writing1531455748.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279917593_Research_synopsis_guidelines
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
  • ↑ https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/six-steps-to-really-edit-your-paper/

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What Is a Synopsis and How Do You Write One?

What to Put In and What to Leave Out

  • An Introduction to Punctuation
  • Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
  • M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
  • B.A., English, State University of New York

In the 19th century, a synopsis was a classroom exercise used for teaching traditional grammar but today, the accepted definition of a synopsis is a general overview of an article, essay, story, book, or other written work. In the field of publishing, a synopsis may serve as a proposal for an article or book. In feature writing and other forms of nonfiction, a synopsis may also refer to a concise summary of a polemic argument or event. You might also find a synopsis included in a review or report.

Fast Facts: Synopsis

Pronunciation: si-NOP-sis

Etymology From the Greek, "general view"

Plural : synopses

Adjective : synoptic

Synopsis vs. Outline

Some people use the terms outline and synopsis synonymously and they really are very similar. When it comes to fiction, however, the distinction is more clearcut. While each may contain similar information, a synopsis is an overview that summarizes the main plot points of the work, whereas an outline functions as a structural tool that breaks the plot down into its component parts.

If you think of it in terms of a novel, the synopsis would be similar to the book jacket copy that tells you who the characters are and what happens to them. It usually also gives readers a feeling for the tone, genre, and theme of the work. An outline would be more akin to a page of chapter listings (provided the author has titled the chapters rather than just numbering them) which functions as a map that leads the reader from the beginning of a literary journey to its final destination or denouement.

In addition to crucial information, a synopsis often includes a thematic statement. Again, thinking in terms of fiction, it would identify the genre and even subgenre, for example, a romance Western, a murder mystery, or a dystopic fantasy and would also reveal something of the tone of the work—whether dark or humorous, erotic or terrifying.

What to Include and What to Leave Out

Since a synopsis is a condensation of the original material, a writer must be sure to include the most important details so that the reader will be able to fully comprehend what the work is about. Sometimes, it's hard to know what to put in and what to leave out. Writing a summary requires critical thinking . You're going to have to analyze the original material and decide what the most important information is.

A synopsis isn't about style or details, it's about supplying enough information for your audience to easily understand and categorize the work. A few brief examples might be permissible, but numerous examples, dialogues, or extensive quotations have no place in a synopsis. Do, however, keep your synopsis true to the plot and timeline of the original story.

Synopses for Non-Fiction Stories

The purpose of a synopsis for a work of nonfiction is to serve as a condensed version of an event, a controversy, a point of view, or background report. Your job as a writer is to include enough basic information so that a reader can easily identify what the story is about and understand its tone. While detailed information is important when telling the larger story, only the information crucial to comprehending the "who, what, when, where, and why" of an event, proposal, or argument is necessary for the synopsis.

Again, as with fiction, the tone and the eventual outcome of your story will also likely come into play in your summary. Choose your phrasing judiciously. Your goal is to use as a few words as possible to achieve maximum impact without leaving out so much information that your reader ends up confused.

  • Fernando, Jovita N., Habana, Pacita I., and Cinco, Alicia L. "New Perspectives in English One." Rex, 2006
  • Kennedy, X.J., Kennedy, Dorothy M., and Muth, Marcia F. "The Bedford Guide for College Writers." Ninth Edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2011
  • Brooks, Terri. " Words' Worth: A Handbook on Writing and Selling Nonfiction ." St. Martin's Press, 1989
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what is synopsis report

Learn how to prepare and write a synopsis assignment.

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A synopsis is a brief summary which gives readers an overview of the main points. In an academic context, this is usually a summary of a text (a journal article, book, report etc) but in some instances you might be writing a synopsis of a talk, film or other form of presentation. A synopsis is a neutral summary, objectively capturing the main points, rather than your own perspective or critique, and it focusses directly on the text you’re summarising rather than being a wider discussion of a topic, as an essay might be.

A synopsis aims to give the reader a full, if brief, account of the whole text so that they can follow its main points without having to read it themselves. It’s not a ‘trailer’ designed to tempt your audience to read the text itself, so you don’t have to worry about ‘hooking’ them in with hints and high points or ‘spoiling the ending’ - give the whole text equal coverage, including the conclusions. You could add some commentary which gives the reader a bit of context about the text, including the authors and circumstances it was written in (for example, if it is part of a debate, particular school of thought or its significance and what impact it’s had).

Writing a good synopsis is a skill, and there are a number of challenges: 

  • Separating the main points from the minor detail
  • Knowing what to leave out as well as what to include
  • Giving a sense of the overall narrative as well as listing the key points
  • Covering the whole text within a small word limit
  • Knowing how closely to stick to the original, especially in terms of the wording
  • Whether to give all key points equal treatment, or cover some more briefly, even combining them
  • Rephrasing things concisely without losing the meaning or misrepresenting it
  • Not leaving out anything crucial to understanding the whole overall message

A good synopsis will allow the reader to feel as if they’d skimread the whole text themselves, understanding the overall gist and highlighting what they need to know. A poor synopsis will get bogged down in detail, giving a confused account of the whole story by just listing points, miss out major points or give an inaccurate or one-sided account or stick so closely to the original that it becomes plagiarism without demonstrating a real understanding by the person summarising it.  

How to prepare a synopsis

Boiling down the key points and overall narrative of the original means good reading and note-taking skills which aim to identify and boil down key points to their essence. You could try some of the following approaches: 

  • Read the whole text, and afterwards, without re-reading, jot down your first initial summary in 50 words to capture its overall point. You can check it back for accuracy or anything you left out, but stick within ca 50 words
  • Read the introduction and first line of each paragraph to get a sense of the overall structure and key points within it
  • Highlight one sentence in each paragraph that you think is essential detail to understanding that section
  • Alternatively, with a marker pen, cross out anything that isn’t essential to an understanding of the whole section or text 
  • Jot down only key words as a summary of each point rather than whole sentences
  • Read each paragraph and summarise it without looking, in one sentence of your own 
  • Consider how many points you can make within your word count, and reduce or combine your list of summarised points down to this number

You could start small, identifying just keywords or sentences at first and then work them up into phrases, bullet points and sentences as a rough plan or draft, or you could start big with the original text and reduce each section, paragraph and sentence summary again and again until you have boiled it down to its essence.  

When you start to prepare your first plan or draft, try to use your notes or memory and step away from the original as much as you can. You can go back and check it afterwards, but you need to create some distance to be able to create your own account and have confidence in the points you have identified as essential.

Writing a synopsis

The main decisions facing you as you write up your summary are about how closely to stick to the original in terms of structure and style, and how much attention to give to each point. 

  • You could begin your synopsis with a brief context, explaining who the authors are, the context and significance of their work, as well as anything you think might help the reader to understand the following summary
  • The most common structure is to follow that of the original text, to give a sense of its narrative flow as well as the key points within it. You could choose to depart from it a little though, perhaps glossing over some points faster than others, combining two sections which go together or aren’t enough in their own right, possibly even changing the order a little where it helps to combine two similar points. Careful use of signposting language will help the reader clearly follow the structure (and note anywhere you’ve changed it from the original) so they can identify the bit you’re talking about in the original if they want to
  • The style will naturally be strongly influenced by the original wording, but you should phrase it in your own words wherever possible. It’s harder to nibble away words from a much longer original than it is to start again and use your own concise phrasing, and you want to demonstrate your own understanding to the reader. You could use the odd original phrase or quotation here or there, but the synopsis needs to be more than a collage of quotations; it’s a thing in its own right rather than a cut-down version of the original
  • You can also show your own response to the text in the way you use language to guide the reader to what you feel are the key points and (briefly) why. Your own voice doesn’t need to be very obvious in the synopsis, as it’s about the text rather than your reaction to it, but you have made analytical decisions about what is important, and might want to explain to the reader why these points are significant in understanding the whole
  • What is the main purpose of this text? What did it aim to discover, explain or prove?
  • Why was this research done? How significant is it?
  • How was the research conducted? What kind of research is it?
  • What were the three (or four, five) main things I should be aware of from this paper?
  • What is their line of argument?
  • What is their overall conclusion, recommendation, finding? Why is that important?

Managing word count

The trick to writing a concise synopsis which keeps within your word limit is not to start from the much bigger original text, but from your own boiled down notes. If you’re over the word count, you could start cutting out words that don’t seem essential, but if you go too far, you end up with a text which does not read well and doesn’t hang together. It might be better to remove whole sentences and perhaps whole points, than nibble away at words here and there.

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  • How to Write a Summary | Guide & Examples

How to Write a Summary | Guide & Examples

Published on November 23, 2020 by Shona McCombes . Revised on May 31, 2023.

Summarizing , or writing a summary, means giving a concise overview of a text’s main points in your own words. A summary is always much shorter than the original text.

There are five key steps that can help you to write a summary:

  • Read the text
  • Break it down into sections
  • Identify the key points in each section
  • Write the summary
  • Check the summary against the article

Writing a summary does not involve critiquing or evaluating the source . You should simply provide an accurate account of the most important information and ideas (without copying any text from the original).

Table of contents

When to write a summary, step 1: read the text, step 2: break the text down into sections, step 3: identify the key points in each section, step 4: write the summary, step 5: check the summary against the article, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about summarizing.

There are many situations in which you might have to summarize an article or other source:

  • As a stand-alone assignment to show you’ve understood the material
  • To keep notes that will help you remember what you’ve read
  • To give an overview of other researchers’ work in a literature review

When you’re writing an academic text like an essay , research paper , or dissertation , you’ll integrate sources in a variety of ways. You might use a brief quote to support your point, or paraphrase a few sentences or paragraphs.

But it’s often appropriate to summarize a whole article or chapter if it is especially relevant to your own research, or to provide an overview of a source before you analyze or critique it.

In any case, the goal of summarizing is to give your reader a clear understanding of the original source. Follow the five steps outlined below to write a good summary.

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You should read the article more than once to make sure you’ve thoroughly understood it. It’s often effective to read in three stages:

  • Scan the article quickly to get a sense of its topic and overall shape.
  • Read the article carefully, highlighting important points and taking notes as you read.
  • Skim the article again to confirm you’ve understood the key points, and reread any particularly important or difficult passages.

There are some tricks you can use to identify the key points as you read:

  • Start by reading the abstract . This already contains the author’s own summary of their work, and it tells you what to expect from the article.
  • Pay attention to headings and subheadings . These should give you a good sense of what each part is about.
  • Read the introduction and the conclusion together and compare them: What did the author set out to do, and what was the outcome?

To make the text more manageable and understand its sub-points, break it down into smaller sections.

If the text is a scientific paper that follows a standard empirical structure, it is probably already organized into clearly marked sections, usually including an introduction , methods , results , and discussion .

Other types of articles may not be explicitly divided into sections. But most articles and essays will be structured around a series of sub-points or themes.

Now it’s time go through each section and pick out its most important points. What does your reader need to know to understand the overall argument or conclusion of the article?

Keep in mind that a summary does not involve paraphrasing every single paragraph of the article. Your goal is to extract the essential points, leaving out anything that can be considered background information or supplementary detail.

In a scientific article, there are some easy questions you can ask to identify the key points in each part.

If the article takes a different form, you might have to think more carefully about what points are most important for the reader to understand its argument.

In that case, pay particular attention to the thesis statement —the central claim that the author wants us to accept, which usually appears in the introduction—and the topic sentences that signal the main idea of each paragraph.

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what is synopsis report

Now that you know the key points that the article aims to communicate, you need to put them in your own words.

To avoid plagiarism and show you’ve understood the article, it’s essential to properly paraphrase the author’s ideas. Do not copy and paste parts of the article, not even just a sentence or two.

The best way to do this is to put the article aside and write out your own understanding of the author’s key points.

Examples of article summaries

Let’s take a look at an example. Below, we summarize this article , which scientifically investigates the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

Davis et al. (2015) set out to empirically test the popular saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples are often used to represent a healthy lifestyle, and research has shown their nutritional properties could be beneficial for various aspects of health. The authors’ unique approach is to take the saying literally and ask: do people who eat apples use healthcare services less frequently? If there is indeed such a relationship, they suggest, promoting apple consumption could help reduce healthcare costs.

The study used publicly available cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were categorized as either apple eaters or non-apple eaters based on their self-reported apple consumption in an average 24-hour period. They were also categorized as either avoiding or not avoiding the use of healthcare services in the past year. The data was statistically analyzed to test whether there was an association between apple consumption and several dependent variables: physician visits, hospital stays, use of mental health services, and use of prescription medication.

Although apple eaters were slightly more likely to have avoided physician visits, this relationship was not statistically significant after adjusting for various relevant factors. No association was found between apple consumption and hospital stays or mental health service use. However, apple eaters were found to be slightly more likely to have avoided using prescription medication. Based on these results, the authors conclude that an apple a day does not keep the doctor away, but it may keep the pharmacist away. They suggest that this finding could have implications for reducing healthcare costs, considering the high annual costs of prescription medication and the inexpensiveness of apples.

However, the authors also note several limitations of the study: most importantly, that apple eaters are likely to differ from non-apple eaters in ways that may have confounded the results (for example, apple eaters may be more likely to be health-conscious). To establish any causal relationship between apple consumption and avoidance of medication, they recommend experimental research.

An article summary like the above would be appropriate for a stand-alone summary assignment. However, you’ll often want to give an even more concise summary of an article.

For example, in a literature review or meta analysis you may want to briefly summarize this study as part of a wider discussion of various sources. In this case, we can boil our summary down even further to include only the most relevant information.

Using national survey data, Davis et al. (2015) tested the assertion that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” and did not find statistically significant evidence to support this hypothesis. While people who consumed apples were slightly less likely to use prescription medications, the study was unable to demonstrate a causal relationship between these variables.

Citing the source you’re summarizing

When including a summary as part of a larger text, it’s essential to properly cite the source you’re summarizing. The exact format depends on your citation style , but it usually includes an in-text citation and a full reference at the end of your paper.

You can easily create your citations and references in APA or MLA using our free citation generators.

APA Citation Generator MLA Citation Generator

Finally, read through the article once more to ensure that:

  • You’ve accurately represented the author’s work
  • You haven’t missed any essential information
  • The phrasing is not too similar to any sentences in the original.

If you’re summarizing many articles as part of your own work, it may be a good idea to use a plagiarism checker to double-check that your text is completely original and properly cited. Just be sure to use one that’s safe and reliable.

If you want to know more about ChatGPT, AI tools , citation , and plagiarism , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

  • ChatGPT vs human editor
  • ChatGPT citations
  • Is ChatGPT trustworthy?
  • Using ChatGPT for your studies
  • What is ChatGPT?
  • Chicago style
  • Paraphrasing

 Plagiarism

  • Types of plagiarism
  • Self-plagiarism
  • Avoiding plagiarism
  • Academic integrity
  • Consequences of plagiarism
  • Common knowledge

A summary is a short overview of the main points of an article or other source, written entirely in your own words. Want to make your life super easy? Try our free text summarizer today!

A summary is always much shorter than the original text. The length of a summary can range from just a few sentences to several paragraphs; it depends on the length of the article you’re summarizing, and on the purpose of the summary.

You might have to write a summary of a source:

  • As a stand-alone assignment to prove you understand the material
  • For your own use, to keep notes on your reading
  • To provide an overview of other researchers’ work in a literature review
  • In a paper , to summarize or introduce a relevant study

To avoid plagiarism when summarizing an article or other source, follow these two rules:

  • Write the summary entirely in your own words by paraphrasing the author’s ideas.
  • Cite the source with an in-text citation and a full reference so your reader can easily find the original text.

An abstract concisely explains all the key points of an academic text such as a thesis , dissertation or journal article. It should summarize the whole text, not just introduce it.

An abstract is a type of summary , but summaries are also written elsewhere in academic writing . For example, you might summarize a source in a paper , in a literature review , or as a standalone assignment.

All can be done within seconds with our free text summarizer .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, May 31). How to Write a Summary | Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved February 21, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/how-to-summarize/

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How to Write a Great Synopsis for Thesis

A synopsis is a structured outline of a research thesis and the steps followed to answer the research question. The goal of writing a synopsis is to clearly and thoroughly explain the need to investigate a certain problem using particular practical methods to conduct the study. One of the main components of this written work is an extensive literature review containing strong evidence that the proposed research is feasible.

Establishing the Background

A supervisor may ask you to write a synopsis for one or more reasons:

  • to help you improve your critical thinking and writing skills
  • to help you understand how to design a comprehensive synopsis
  • to encourage you to write a comprehensive literature review to make sure that the research problem has not been answered yet
  • to make you conduct a logical analysis of the steps that should be followed to meet the objectives of the research

A synopsis should be coherent in terms of research design. Thus, you should ensure that the research problem, aims, and research methods are logically linked and well-considered. Note that all synopses should contain answers for several crucial questions:

  • Why should research on the proposed problem be undertaken?
  • What is expected to be achieved?
  • What has been done by other researchers on the proposed topic?
  • How will the objectives of the study be achieved?

The Writing Process

Before proceeding, consider answering the following questions:

  • Why am I going to study this topic?
  • Why do I consider it to be important?
  • Have I conducted an extensive literature review on the topic?
  • What problem will the research help to solve?
  • How do I incorporate previous studies on the topic?

The structure of a synopsis should correspond to the structure of qualifying research work, and the word count should be 2,500–3,000 words (Balu 38). The basic elements of a synopsis include a title page, contents page, an introduction, background, literature review, objectives, methods, experiments and results, conclusions, and references.

Introduction

As this comprises the first part of the main text, the introduction should convince readers that the study addresses a relevant topic and that the expected outcomes will provide important insights. Also, this section should include a brief description of the methods that will be used to answer the research question. Usually, the introduction is written in 1–3 paragraphs and answers the following questions:

  • What is the topic of the research?
  • What is the research problem that needs to be meaningfully understood or investigated?
  • Why is the problem important?
  • How will the problem be studied?

In this section, you should set the scene and better introduce the research topic by proving its scientific legitimacy and relevance. It is important to establish a clear focus and avoid broad generalizations and vague statements. If necessary, you may explain key concepts or terms. Consider covering the following points in this section:

  • Discuss how the research will contribute to the existing scientific knowledge.
  • Provide a detailed description of the research problem and purpose of the research.
  • Provide a rationale for the study.
  • Explain how the research question will be answered.
  • Be sure to discuss the methods chosen and anticipated implications of the research.

Literature Review

A review of existing literature is an important part of a synopsis, as it:

  • gives a more detailed look at scientific information related to the topic
  • familiarizes readers with research conducted by others on a similar subject
  • gives insight into the difficulties faced by other researchers
  • helps identify variables for the research based on similar studies
  • helps double-check the feasibility of the research problem.

When writing the literature review, do not simply present a list of methods researchers have used and conclusions they have drawn. It is important to compare and contrast different opinions and be unafraid to criticize some of them. Pay attention to controversial issues and divergent approaches used to address similar problems. You may discuss which arguments are more persuasive and which methods and techniques seem to be more valid and reliable. In this section, you are expected not to summarize but analyze the previous research while remembering to link it to your own purpose.

Identify the objectives of the research based on the literature review. Provide an overall objective related to the scientific contribution of the study to the subject area. Also include a specific objective that can be measured at the end of the research.

When writing this section, consider that the aim of the research is to produce new knowledge regarding the topic chosen. Therefore, the research methodology forms the core of your project, and your goal is to convince readers that the research design and methods chosen will rationally answer the research questions and provide effective tools to interpret the results correctly. It may be appropriate to incorporate some examples from your literature review into the description of the overall research design.

When describing the research methodology, ensure that you specify the approaches and techniques that will be used to answer the research question. In addition, be specific about applying the chosen methods and what you expect to achieve. Keep in mind that the methods section allows readers to evaluate the validity and feasibility of the study. Therefore, be sure to explain your decision to adopt specific methods and procedures. It is also important to discuss the anticipated barriers and limitations of the study and how they will be addressed. Specify what kind of contribution to the existing knowledge on the topic is expected, and discuss any ethical considerations that are relevant to the research.

Experiments and Results

Logically present and analyze the results of the study using tables or figures.

In this section, you should again state the significance of the research and summarize the study. Be sure to mention the study objectives and methods used to answer the research questions. Also, discuss how the results of the study contribute to the current knowledge on the problem.

A synopsis should contain a list of all references used. Make sure the references are formatted according to the chosen citation style and each source presented in this section is mentioned within the body of the synopsis.

The purpose of writing a synopsis is to show a supervisor a clear picture of a proposed project and allow him or her to find any gaps that have not been considered previously. A concisely written synopsis will help you gain approval to proceed with the actual research. While no rigid rules for writing this type of paper have been established, a synopsis should be constructed in a manner to help a supervisor understand the proposed research at first glance.

Balu, R. “Writing a Good Ph.D Research Synopsis.” International Journal of Research in Science and Technology, vol. 5, no. 4, 2015, pp. 38–48.

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Blog • Understanding Publishing

Posted on Sep 12, 2018

How to Write an Incredible Synopsis in 4 Simple Steps

Your novel is fully written, edited, and polished to perfection — you’re ready to pitch it to agents! But you’re missing a critical piece of persuasion: the synopsis. Even after putting together your entire book, you may have no idea how to write one, or even how to approach it.

Luckily, we’ve got answers for you. Read on for our best tips on writing a synopsis that’s clear, concise, captivating… and may even lead to an all-out agent battle over your novel!

What is a synopsis?

A synopsis is a summary of a book that familiarizes the reader with the plot and how it unfolds. Although these kinds of summaries also appear on the pages of school book reports and Wikipedia, this guide will focus on constructing one that you can send out to agents (and eventually publishers).

Your novel synopsis should achieve two things: firstly, it should convey the contents of your book, and secondly, it should be intriguing!

While you don’t need to pull out all the marketing stops at this stage, you should have a brief hook at the beginning and a sense of urgency underlying the text that will keep your reader going. It should make potential agents want to devour your whole manuscript — even though they’ll already know what happens.

While writing your synopsis, make sure that it includes:

  • A complete narrative arc
  • Your own voice and unique elements of your story
  • The ending or resolution ( unlike in a blurb )

As for the ideal length for this piece, it varies from project to project. Some authors recommend keeping it to 500 words, while others might write thousands. However, the standard range is about one to two single-spaced pages (or two to five double-spaced pages). And if you're interested in knowing how to format the whole of your manuscript for submission, we recommend downloading this manuscript format template. 

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Manuscript Format Template

Get your manuscript ready for submission to agents and publishers.

You may also want to have an additional “brief” summary prepared for agents who specifically request a single page or less. Remember: as hard as it will be to distill all your hard work into that minimal space, it’s crucial to keep your synopsis digestible and agent-friendly.

How to write a novel synopsis in 4 steps

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1. Get the basics down first

When it comes to writing a synopsis, substance is the name of the game. No matter how nicely you dress it up, an agent will disregard any piece that doesn’t demonstrate a fully fleshed out plot and strong narrative arc. So it stands to reason that as you begin writing, you should focus on the fundamentals.

Start with major plot points

Naturally, you want agents to be aware of your story's  major plot points . So the best way to start summarizing your story is to create a list of those plot points, including:

  • The inciting incident — what sparks the central conflict of your story?
  • The events of the rising action — what happens in the interlude between the inciting incident and the climax, and how does this build tension?
  • The height of the action, or climax , of your story — this one is the most important, as it should be the most exciting part of your book!
  • The resolution or ending — again, unlike a blurb, a synopsis doesn’t need to dangle the carrot of an unknown ending to the reader; you can and should reveal your story’s ending here, as this brings the plot and narrative arc to a close.

Listing these points effectively maps out the action and arc of your story, which will enable the reader to easily follow it from beginning to end.

Include character motivations

The key here is not to get too deep into characterization, since you don’t have much room to elaborate. Instead, simply emphasize character motivations at the beginning and end of your synopsis — first as justification for the inciting incident, then again to bring home the resolution. For example:

Beginning: “Sally has spent the past twenty years wondering who her birth parents are [motivation]. When a mysterious man offers her the chance to find them, she spontaneously buys a ticket to Florence to begin her journey [inciting action].”

Ending: “She returns to the US with the man who was her father all along [resolution], safe in the knowledge that she’ll never have to wonder about him again [restated motivation].”

Also note how the text here is written in third person, present tense, as it should be regardless of the tense or POV of your actual book. Writing a synopsis in first or second person doesn’t really work because it’s not meant to be narrated — just summarized. Basically, the present tense works to engage the reader while the third person allows the story to be told smoothly.

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2. Highlight what’s unique

Now it’s time to spice up your synopsis by highlighting the elements that make it unique. Agents need to know what’s so special about your book in particular — and moreover, is it special enough to get readers to pick it up? Below are some features you might employ to grab an agent’s attention and assure them of your book’s appeal.

Your writing voice is an essential tool here: it conveys your novel’s tone and is one of the most important factors in making your work stand out. However, it’s also one of the most difficult elements to evoke in such a small amount of space.

The best way to capture voice in a synopsis is through extremely deliberate word choice and sentence structure. So if you were Jane Austen, you’d use clever words to magnify your wit: “When Darcy proposes to her apropos of nothing, Elizabeth has the quite understandable reaction of rejecting him.” You may not be able to use all the elaborate prose of your novel, but your synopsis should still reflect its overall feeling.

Plot twists

Even though they’re one of the oldest tricks in the book, readers will never tire of juicy plot twists. If your novel contains one or more of these twists, especially at the climax, make sure your synopsis accentuates it. But don’t hint too much at the twist, as this will make it seem more dramatic when it comes; a couple of words in the intro will suffice as foreshadowing.

For instance, if you were writing a summary of Gone Girl , you might open with “Nick Dunne wakes up one morning to find that his wife, Amy, has apparently disappeared. ” This implies that she may not be as “gone” as we think she is, setting the stage for the later reveal.

how to write a synopsis

Point of view

Another aspect that might set your book apart is a distinctive point of view . Since you’ll be giving your synopsis in third person, you can limit this inclusion to an introductory sentence: “This book is narrated from the point of view of a mouse.”

Although this strategy works best for books with a highly unusual point of view (such as The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, in which the story is told by Death), it can also be very helpful to remember for seemingly bog-standard narrators. If one of your characters narrates in first person, make sure to address their individual narrative quirks as well as any biases or limitations; highlighting an unreliable narrator can really add to your novel’s intrigue!

3. Edit for clarity and excess

Don’t shroud your synopsis in mystery; this is very frustrating to agents who just want to know what happens in your book! With that in mind, after you’ve written the bulk of your summary, it’s time to edit for clarity. You also may have to delete some text, so you can get it right in that couple-page sweet spot.

Editing for clarity

The paramount rule of synopses is a real doozy: tell, don’t show. It’s the opposite of that classic adage that writers have heard their whole lives, and it’s exactly what you need to write a successful synopsis. 

As you return to what you’ve written, scan for sentences that are vague or unclear, especially toward the beginning. Many writers fall into the trap of trying to hook agents by opening with a sentence akin to the first murky line of a literary novel. Again, though you do want your intro to be intriguing, it has to cut to the chase pretty quickly.

When it comes to opening a synopsis, you need to think like Tolkien, not Tolstoy. “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” Crisp, clear, and to the point: one of the very few times you should tell, rather than show .

Editing excess words

If your synopsis is longer than a couple of pages at this point, you need make some serious cutbacks. Read through what you have, scrutinizing every sentence and word, even if you think you’ve chosen them carefully. Reduce any run-on sentences or subordinate clauses that unnecessarily lengthen your piece.

Finally, eliminate irrelevant details — anything that doesn’t lead to the next plot point or directly contribute to your voice or other distinctive elements. It’s unlikely you’ll have included any of these in the first place, but just in case they’ve slipped through, cut them. Save the frills for your book; remember, your synopsis is all about substance .

4. Make sure it flows

By the time it’s finished, your synopsis should read like a summary from an excellent book review — or at the very least SparkNotes or Shmoop. This means not only clearly and concisely hitting every important point, but also reading in a smooth manner, placing just the right amount of emphasis on the critical moments and unique aspects we’ve discussed.

Get test readers

A great way to ensure that your synopsis is paced precisely and flows well is to give it to test readers, either someone you know or a professional editor . You’ve spent way too much time with these words to be objective about them, so pay attention to what other people suggest: possible word substitutions, transitions, and which details to emphasize versus delete.

Use professional synopses as models

You don’t want to look at examples of other synopses too soon, otherwise yours will come out sounding formulaic and stale. That said, professional synopses can be a very valuable tool for refining toward the end of the process! Compare and contrast them to the synopsis you’ve written, and adapt any techniques or turns of phrase you feel would enhance it.

Here’s an example of a strong (albeit brief) synopsis of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens , courtesy of the Oxford Companion to English Literature:

Phillip Pirrip, more commonly known as “Pip,” has been brought up by his tyrannical sister, wife of the gentle Joe Gargery. He is introduced to the house of Miss Havisham who, half-crazed by the desertion of her lover on her bridal night, has brought up the girl Estella to use her beauty as a means of torturing men. Pip falls in love with Estella and aspires to become a gentleman.

Money and expectations of more wealth come to him from a mysterious source, which he believes to be Miss Havisham. He goes to London, and in his new mode of life meanly abandons the devoted Joe Gargery, a humble connection of whom he is now ashamed.

Misfortunes come upon him. His benefactor proves to be an escaped convict, Abel Magwich, whom he as a boy had helped. Pip’s great expectations fade away and he is penniless. Estella meanwhile marries his sulky enemy Bentley Drummle, by whom she is cruelly ill treated.

In the end, taught by adversity, Pip returns to Joe Gargery and honest labor. He and Estella, who has also learnt her lesson, are finally reunited.

how to write a synopsis

This synopsis works well because it includes:

  • The inciting incident (Pip moving in with Miss Havisham), the rising action (him being in London), the climax (returning to Joe Gargery), and the resolution (reuniting with Estella)
  • Character motivations (Miss Havisham wants to punish all men because her fiancé betrayed her; Pip wants to become a gentleman so Estella will fall in love with him)
  • A plot twist (Pip’s benefactor being a criminal — whom he knows from his childhood!)
  • Distinctive voice (formal yet engaging, doesn’t detract from the plot) and smoothly written style (events are chronological and progress quickly)

Your synopsis is one of the biggest deciding factors in whether an agent wants to see more from you or not. No matter how chipper your query letter , the bottom line is that this summary tells agents (and later publishers) what they really need to know: what your book is about, what makes it unique, and most importantly, if they can sell it. 

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That’s why it’s vital that you make your synopsis airtight. Fortunately, if you’ve followed these steps, yours will be chock full of plot details with a touch of your own special writing sauce: a synopsis that any agent (hopefully) won’t be able to resist. 

Many thanks to Reedsy editors (and former agents) Sam Brody and Rachel Stout  for consulting on this piece!

Do you have any tips for writing an irresistible synopsis? Leave them in the comments below!

2 responses

Elizabeth Westra says:

12/09/2018 – 22:10

This looks interesting, and I will read every word, but this would be different for a picture book. You only get one page to query for many children's books.

Dorothy Potter Snyder says:

14/10/2018 – 20:11

I am curious if anyone has ideas on how translators can write a synopsis for agents / publishers of works in translation? Might there be something about why this author is important in his/her country of origin and literary tradition? Which authors more known to English language readers might relate to this author (they've never heard of before)?

Comments are currently closed.

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How to Write a Synopsis for a Report

Whether you are writing a report on a book or a film, you must include a synopsis for the report to make sense. Like a summary, a synopsis briefly describes and outlines what happens in the book or the film you are reporting on. Unlike a synopsis for "selling" a book or film, a synopsis for a report must include the whole story and not leave out any important elements of the story line.

Make sure you know about the subject matter. If you are writing a synopsis for a book report, read the whole book--if you are writing a synopsis for a film report, watch the film. If you don't know your subject matter from beginning to end, then you will not be able to summarize it.

Keep your synopsis short. A synopsis is a brief summary of your subject matter, not a long paraphrasing. Give yourself a realistic word limit to stick to. If you go over your word limit, go back and delete words.

Write the synopsis in chronological order. Order your synopsis in the same way as the narrative of the book or film: Start with the beginning and finish with the end.

Make sure your synopsis is equal in explaining the beginning, middle and end of your subject. An easy way to do this is to separate the book or film's story into three or four sections. Then shorten the sections to an equal amount of words, so that you don't weight one section over another.

Include the key themes of the book or film. If you are reporting on "Romeo and Juliet," for example, the synopsis must include the romantic themes of the book: the meeting of the couple, the difficulties they face and the outcome of their love for each other.

Reread your completed synopsis. Check for accuracy of spelling and grammar. Also check that you have not included any personal opinion on your subject matter. A synopsis is an objective account of the book or film you are reporting on.

  • If you are having difficulty writing a synopsis for a report, read some sample summaries to use as templates for your own synopsis.
  • Synopses are traditionally written in the present tense.
  • Keio University: How To Write A Summary

Matthew Caines began writing and editing in 2008 and has since gained valuable experience in the publishing industry working for national publications such as "The Guardian," "Sartorial Male," "AREA Magazine," "Food & Drink Magazine," "Redbrick Newspaper" and "REACH Magazine." He has a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Birmingham, U.K.

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  • Dec 10, 2020

How to Write a Summary Report

By Marcus Coates, @homeinriyadh, 10th December 2020

Blog number 10

what is synopsis report

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A summary report is a written brief designed to provide details and analysis of a topic, then draw conclusions and offer recommendations.

A summary report should contain the following parts:

Title - clear and concise

Aim - direct and to the point

Overview - the main details in a series of paragraphs

Conclusions - a summary of the main findings

Recommendations - listing what action is required

Additional resources - a list of any research, links or related research

The following is an example summary report that I have written about my website build, design and progress over the 3-month period since I first created it. If you use the link at the bottom of the page, you can download a free and editable summary report template.

Summary Report

A readiness review of the website mindful content: for all your creative, academic & business writing needs, www.mc-mindful-content.com.

Prepared by: Marcus Coates, Writer, Content Creator & Developer

1 The aim of this report is:

1.1 to provide an overview of my website history,, 1.2 to outline the purpose of the website www.mc-mindful-content .com,, 1.3 to list the website components developed to date,, 1.4 to conduct a swot analysis of the website,, 1.5 to recommend developmental steps in the life of the website,, 1.6 to provide a summary report template as a future resource for fellow writers., 2.1 when, how and why did the website come into being, i first developed the website www.mc-mindful-content.com on 2nd september 2020., i used wix.com as the platform to build it. i chose wix.com for two reasons:.

The Wix platform is very user-friendly for designing website pages and comes with design templates that helped me get started with the design and build process.

The Wix platform has a useful dashboard with access to marketing and analytics tools that help me market the site and see if people are responding favourably to it.

The website is the foundation to my two-year plan to learn how to write fiction, scripts, blogs and recipes; then edit, proof, publish and sell books or services. It also has other purposes as detailed below.

2.2 the purpose of my website is threefold:, 2.2.1 firstly, my website acts as a place to organize and store my developed writing work; as, although i’m passionate about writing, i’m not the most organized of people. i have piles of notepads lying around my apartment, scraps of ideas stuffed in most draws and a disparate bunch of files on my desktop, laptop and on hard drives and memory sticks – all with obscure naming conventions. having a website is an attempt to organize all my disparate projects in one spot. and having that website in the public domain adds an element of oversight that means i have to put some organized structure to the various projects to look professional., 2.2.2 secondly, i aim to become a published writer one day and write books and scripts that sell. my website showcases my written work. additionally, i’m also interested in the book journey from idea, to being written, edited, sold, published and marketed. with those goals in mind, the website becomes not just a place to hawk my wares, but to advertise my skillset. after all, besides the written content - the novels, film scripts, sitcom episodes, poems, dissertations, blogs, recipes and free productivity templates – i’m also responsible for the copyediting and proofreading of my works, the copywriting on the page, the design and layout of the site itself and the efforts involved in marketing and growing an audience, then analyzing the statistical data generated from site visits. having a functional website means i’m continually developing all of these skills., 2.2.3 thirdly, i aim to engage with friends, family and writing communities. until i’m published or decide to advertise my services in exchange for currency, i remain a hobbyist and view the website as a means of creating a community around a shared interest of writing and writing-related topics – whether that be creative, academic or business writing. as part of that, i’m keen to provide free productivity templates and keep people engaged and communicating through blogging and site visits. if i do become a published author in the future, the website will remain my primary tool of engagement..

what is synopsis report

Isaac Smith - Unsplash

3 Website components developed to date

3.1 my website contains the following pages and subsections:, 3.1.1 home page:, a lot is going on here my home page lists my website content, provides links to my social media accounts, has my website logo at the top and a strapline (marcus coates: for all your creative, academic & business writing needs), my contact details, a membership subscription form and members area, as well as summarizing my novels, sitcom and film scripts in development. at the bottom of the site is my profile image, a quote, email and links to my latest blogs., 3.1.2 about me:, this page provides a brief overview of my writing journey to date. the idea is to be more transparent and visible to site visitors by reflecting on and sharing my writing process. why should a visitor stay on my site if they know nothing about me as an author, 3.1.3 blog:, as of 4th december 2020, i have nine blog posts written, averaging 1,000 to 1,500 words in length and eight recipe blogs in a shorter format – 200 to 500 words. i blog about the quirks of writing and language, reflections on the writing process or writing styles and structures (such as this summary report format)., 3.1.4 creative:, on the creative page, i showcase the first couple of paragraphs of the first novel in my ryan stoker quartet turning corners and also have an audio of me reading a poem from my poetry collection. i’ve included the writing sample to build reader interest with my fiction writing; whilst the audio of me reading a poem is to show a site visitor another facet of my personality., 3.1.5 academic:, i have included samples of my two ma dissertation topics, keeping the vampire alive: image and textual transformations and applying usage-based teaching methods on short courses through the implementation of vocabulary notebooks. the first page with the titles and images link to subsections that have the first few paragraphs of each dissertation. the concept is to highlight my ability to write, edit and proofread academic texts, as opposed to just creative fiction., 3.1.6 business:, the business page of my website contains six downloadable templates: a ‘to-do list template’, ‘blogging template’, ‘corporate jargon definitions’, ‘book submission to agent guidelines’ and a ‘summary report template’ (based on this summary report). the concept of this page is for readers to be able to access free downloadable resources related to writing. it also has two additional functions:.

It showcases my ability to write in a variety of business styles .

It encourages me to research and develop writing in a variety of business styles .

3.1.7 Services:

The final page of my site lists the services i will eventually offer two years from now. most of these are my bread and butter skills - curriculum design & development, instructional design, technical writing, content authoring, and blogging. the other ones listed are areas i’m planning to develop: newsletters, copyediting and proofreading. these are part of my future planned strategy and are a reminder for me to progress in these areas..

what is synopsis report

Lukas Blazek - Unsplash

4 SWOT analysis

4.1 what are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the website, 4.1.1 strengths:.

I have set up the site with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) on each page and published with a .com domain, which makes it easy to locate with a general Google search,

The site pages are easy to navigate and contain the page layout that I want,

There are plenty of images and distinct branding to the overall design; the site has cohesion and variety,

I have thirty-six subscribers and twenty-two on the mobile Wix app,

I produce fresh content in the form of a weekly blog that attracts 500 to 1,600 reads across social media platforms, which in turn increases site visits.

4.1.2 Weaknesses:

I offer no services at present and have not monetized the platform in any way,

More content needs developing, such as blogs, recipes and templates to keep existing site visitors interested and attract new visitors,

The email list of subscribers is still low,

The membership component of the site and app are both under-utilized.

4.1.3 Opportunities:

Monetize the platform by either selling content or engage in associated marketing practices,

Grow the number of website subscribers and visitors through blog content,

Develop additional content, such as poems, templates and short stories.

Develop editorial, marketing, design and data analysis skills,

Develop a more sophisticated marketing funnel,

Develop the usefulness of the mobile app,

Utilize the social media marketing feature of the dashboard more comprehensively.

4.1.4 Threats:

Trying to monetize a website before it is matured or has excellent content will likely result in loss of visitors and site appeal,

Leaving the site to grow dormant, not adding fresh content or not improving the quality of content will lead to less interest and a loss of subscribers,

Not developing a marketing and analysis strategy will result in lost growth opportunities,

If the main content – the novels and scripts – are not developed, I won’t meet the two-year deadline.

5 Conclusions

This summary report shows that www.mc-mindful-content.com website has achieved a mature level of design-build, branding and useful content within three months of existence. The website has a solid base to build on. Additionally, the SWOT analysis shows that there are many potential areas of growth and opportunity within the projected two-year timeframe before the platform is due to be monetized. I have listed my primary areas of focus in the recommendations section below in order of perceived importance.

6 Recommendations

6.1 Research up on marketing funnels and apply to the website to increase visitor subscriptions and grow the email and mobile app lists.

6.2 Continue to add excellent content to the site, with blogs, recipes, poems and lots of free productivity templates. When reaching fifteen productivity templates, limit access to content by subscription only .

6.3 Add more samples of each novel and sitcom to the ‘creative page . ’

6.4 Sign up for a Proofreading course with the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders (CIEP) or the Publishing Training Centre (PTC).

6.5 Build up testimonials from people I have designed websites, provided copywriting services, edited or proofread for and display on the site.

6.6 Have a book ready for publication by October 2022, then have it for sale on the website.

6.7 Create unique member experiences.

6.8 Utilize the mobile app more fully and think up ‘challenges’ to motivate members.

7 Resources

For free productivity templates, visit the business page .

For free productivity templates, visit the business page.

For free quick, easy and healthy recipes , visit the recipe blog page .

For engaging blog topics , visit the blog page .

For poems and book excerpts, visit the creative and academic pages .

If you subscribe to the website or the mobile app, you’ll receive the latest content straight to your inbox or mobile. Report summary template here .

what is synopsis report

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What Is a Synopsis? Definition & 15+ Examples

A synopsis, your literary passport, is the secret to whisking readers into the vibrant world you’ve crafted. As a condensed yet captivating summary, it teases the intriguing twists and turns of your story, inviting readers to embark on a journey filled with compelling characters, tantalizing plotlines, and unforgettable moments.

In the vast ocean of literature, a well-crafted synopsis is a beacon that guides readers to the shores of your imaginative landscape, promising an adventure they won’t want to miss.

So, make yourself comfortable and get ready to set sail on an enchanting literary voyage!

Table of Contents

Definition of Synopsis

A synopsis serves as a vital tool in the realm of storytelling, offering a condensed yet captivating glimpse into the heart of a work. This concise summary provides an overview of the main points , plot , or arguments , effectively piquing the curiosity of potential readers or viewers.

The power of a well-crafted synopsis lies in its ability to convey the essence of a story while preserving the allure of its hidden depths. Spanning various forms of writing — from novels to academic research — synopses bridge the gap between creators and their audience, acting as an enticing invitation to explore the full content.

Synopsis vs. Abstract

Although often used interchangeably, synopsis and abstract are distinct concepts with different purposes. A synopsis is a brief summary or condensed version of a piece of work, typically presenting the main points in a clear and concise manner. It is commonly used to outline a story , research paper , or report , providing potential readers with insight into the content.

An abstract , on the other hand, is a short and coherent overview of a research paper or scientific article, highlighting the objectives , methods , results , and conclusions . Abstracts help readers quickly determine whether the study is relevant to their interests and decide whether to read the entire paper.

Understanding the differences between a synopsis and an abstract is essential for effectively summarizing different forms of work and communicating their contents to appropriate audiences.

Purpose of Synopsis

A synopsis serves several vital functions in the writing process, regardless of whether the work is a novel , screenplay , or academic paper . Its primary objective is to convey the main points, key elements, or salient features of a written work in a clear, concise manner.

There are multiple reasons for creating a synopsis:

  • Clarity and focus: A synopsis helps the writer to gain a clearer understanding of their story’s structure and main elements. This allows them to streamline the narrative, identify weaknesses, and sharpen their work’s focus.
  • Assessment tool: For editors, agents, and publishers, a synopsis is a valuable tool to determine a work’s potential marketability and merit. A clear, engaging synopsis demonstrates the author’s storytelling abilities and allows the reader to quickly grasp the story’s key themes and plot points.
  • Submission material: A well-written synopsis is often required when submitting a manuscript or screenplay to a publisher, agent, or film producer. As part of the submission package, the synopsis helps to pique the interest of the decision-maker, showcasing the story’s viability and the writer’s skill.
  • Planning and organization: Writing a synopsis can facilitate the planning and organization of a written work, acting as a roadmap that helps guide the writer throughout the creative process. It can be particularly helpful for writers working on complex or intricate plots, assisting them in maintaining focus and preventing plot inconsistencies.

Elements of a Synopsis

A synopsis is a condensed summary of a work’s main points, plot, or argument. When writing one, it’s important to include several key elements in order to accurately convey the essence of the work.

The following are some essential components of a well-crafted synopsis:

  • Characters: Introduce the main characters, including their names, roles, and key traits. This will provide context for the events and relationships described in the synopsis.
  • Setting: Briefly describe the story’s setting, including the time period, location, and any relevant historical or cultural details. This helps to establish the overarching context of the work.
  • Inciting incident: Identify the event or situation that serves as a catalyst for the story’s central conflict. This is often the moment when the protagonist is presented with a significant challenge or decision.
  • Plot development: Summarize the main events and turning points in the story, giving special attention to any pivotal moments that drive the narrative forward. This may include conflicts, resolutions, and any character growth or development.
  • Climax: Highlight the culmination of the story, where the central conflict reaches its peak, and the outcome becomes clear. This is typically the most intense and exciting part of the story.
  • Resolution: Describe how the story concludes, including the outcomes for the main characters and any lasting implications or lessons. This offers a sense of closure for the reader.

When crafting a synopsis, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between providing enough detail for the reader to understand the work’s key elements without including unnecessary or overly descriptive information. A well-structured, concise synopsis serves as an invaluable tool for both authors and readers alike.

Characteristics of a Good Synopsis

Clarity and conciseness.

When writing a synopsis, it’s important to ensure that your language is clear and concise. This means using simple, easily understood words and phrases while avoiding jargon or overly complex sentence structures.

A synopsis should provide a summary of the work’s main ideas, themes, or events as efficiently as possible to keep the audience engaged.

For example:

  • Use short sentences and simple words.
  • Avoid ambiguous or vague phrases.
  • Be specific about characters, events, and themes.

Focus and Main Themes

A quality synopsis should also focus on the central themes and main points of the work. This means highlighting the key aspects of the storyline, including major characters , conflicts , and turning points . Avoid getting bogged down in minor details that detract from the overall focus of the synopsis.

To maintain focus in your synopsis, consider the following:

  • Summarize the work’s primary message or theme.
  • Mention key characters and their roles.
  • Identify crucial plot developments or conflicts.

Well-Organized Structure

Lastly, a successful synopsis should have a well-organized structure. This means arranging the information in a logical, easy-to-follow order that guides the reader through the critical points of the work. Use paragraphs to divide the synopsis into smaller segments, making it easier for your audience to read and understand.

Consider these tips when organizing your synopsis:

  • Present information in chronological order, if applicable
  • Group similar ideas together into paragraphs
  • Use transitional phrases to connect ideas and maintain a smooth flow

Types of Synopsis

Academic synopsis.

An academic synopsis serves as a concise summary of a scholarly paper or published research. It outlines the objectives , methods , results , and conclusions of the study, providing readers with an overview of the content without delving into extensive detail.

This type of synopsis is crucial in helping other academics and researchers identify relevant literature for their studies.

Book Synopsis

A book synopsis highlights the main plot points , characters , and themes of a book. It is typically used by authors and publishers to market and promote the book to potential readers and appeal to literary agents or editors.

A well-written book synopsis should capture the tone , style , and essence of the book in a brief, compelling manner.

Film or Television Synopsis

Film or television synopses offer a brief overview of a movie or TV show’s plot , setting , and characters . They are often used for promotional purposes, appearing on official websites, DVD covers, or streaming platforms.

This type of synopsis should entice potential viewers by revealing enough information to spark interest without disclosing significant spoilers.

Play or Theater Synopsis

Similar to film and television synopses, a play or theater synopsis provides a succinct overview of a stage production’s story, main characters, and themes. It is used for marketing and promotion of the play or musical, often appearing in playbills, websites, and promotional materials.

An effective play or theater synopsis should engage potential audiences while remaining brief and informative.

Business Synopsis

A business synopsis offers a quick summary of a company’s goals, products or services, organizational structure, and financial performance. This type of synopsis is often found in annual reports, business plans, and investor presentations.

A well-written business synopsis can generate interest in the company and facilitate an understanding of its activities and objectives.

Scientific Synopsis

Scientific synopses typically accompany research articles or other scientific publications, serving as an abbreviated summary of the content. They convey the purpose , methodology , key findings , and implications of the research in a concise format.

This allows readers to quickly determine the relevance and significance of the study within their own fields of inquiry.

Examples of Synopsis

In literature, a synopsis is an essential tool for authors to pitch their stories to agents or publishers. They provide a clear and concise summary of the main events and characters in the story, giving readers the necessary information to understand the core elements.

Here are a few examples of synopses from different genres to help illustrate their structure and style:

  • The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health Among Adolescents “This study investigates the relationship between social media usage and mental health in adolescents aged 13-18. Using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews, the research found that excessive social media use is correlated with increased levels of anxiety and depression in this age group. The findings suggest that implementing educational programs and setting guidelines for healthier social media habits could help mitigate these negative effects.”
  • Exploring the Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Reducing Anxiety and Stress Among College Students “Our study examines the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions, such as meditation and yoga, in alleviating anxiety and stress among college students. Through a randomized controlled trial, we compare the outcomes of students participating in mindfulness programs to those in a control group. The results demonstrate that participants in the mindfulness interventions exhibit significantly lower levels of anxiety and stress, suggesting that such practices can be beneficial for the mental well-being of college students.”
  • Urban Green Spaces and Public Health: An Analysis of Physical and Psychological Benefits in Major Cities “This interdisciplinary research explores the relationship between urban green spaces, such as parks and community gardens, and public health in major cities. By analyzing data from various sources, including epidemiological studies, surveys, and geographic information systems, we uncover a strong association between access to green spaces and improved physical and mental health outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of urban planning and investment in green spaces to promote healthier and more sustainable cities.”
  • George Orwell’s 1984 : “In a dystopian future , the totalitarian regime of Oceania, led by the enigmatic Big Brother, controls every aspect of its citizens’ lives. Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the ruling Party, becomes disillusioned with the oppressive regime and joins a forbidden love affair. As he secretly rebels against the system, Winston is drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the Thought Police.”
  • Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice : “In early 19th-century England, the spirited Elizabeth Bennet navigates the complexities of love, family, and social expectations. When the wealthy and aloof Mr. Darcy enters her world, Elizabeth’s prejudices and Darcy’s pride must give way to mutual understanding as they discover the true nature of their feelings for one another.”
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby : “Set in the Roaring Twenties, the story follows the mysterious Jay Gatsby as he pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan, a woman from his past. Through the eyes of the narrator, Nick Carraway, we witness the opulence, decadence, and disillusionment of the Jazz Age, culminating in a tragic tale of love, wealth, and the American Dream.”

Film Synopsis

  • The Godfather : “In this epic crime saga, the Corleone family, led by the powerful patriarch Vito Corleone, navigates the treacherous world of organized crime. When a rival gang threatens their empire, Vito’s youngest son Michael is reluctantly drawn into the family business, setting in motion a series of events that will test their loyalty, resolve, and capacity for violence.”
  • The Shawshank Redemption : “Wrongly convicted for the murder of his wife, banker Andy Dufresne is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary. Over the years, Andy forms an unlikely friendship with fellow inmate Red, using his intelligence and resourcefulness to transform the lives of those around him while secretly plotting his own escape.”
  • Titanic : “In this tragic love story set against the backdrop of the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, young aristocrat Rose and penniless artist Jack fall deeply in love despite the vast social divide between them. As the ship meets its doomed fate, the couple’s love is tested by disaster, fate, and the unrelenting forces of nature.”

Play Synopsis

  • William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet : “In the feuding city of Verona, young lovers Romeo and Juliet find themselves caught in a web of family strife and ancient grudges. Their desperate quest for happiness ultimately leads to a tragic climax, forcing the warring families to confront the senseless cycle of violence and revenge that has consumed them.”
  • Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman : “Willy Loman, an aging salesman, struggles with the harsh reality of his failed dreams and the ever-changing world around him. As he clings to the American Dream, his relationships with his wife, Linda, and their two sons, Biff and Happy, unravel, revealing the painful truth about ambition, success, and the human condition.”
  • Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House : “In 19th-century Norway, Nora Helmer lives a seemingly idyllic life as a devoted wife and mother. When a secret from her past threatens to destroy her carefully constructed facade, Nora must confront societal expectations, gender roles, and her own awakening sense of self.”
  • “Our company’s mission is to revolutionize the e-commerce industry by providing an innovative, user-friendly platform that connects buyers and sellers globally. Through advanced technology, seamless payment systems, and exceptional customer service, we aim to become the go-to online marketplace for a diverse range of products and services.”
  • “This business plan outlines our strategy for launching a sustainable, eco-friendly clothing line that combines style, quality, and environmental responsibility. By using ethically sourced materials and partnering with fair trade suppliers, we aim to create a brand that resonates with environmentally conscious consumers and promotes a more sustainable fashion industry.”
  • “Our startup aims to disrupt the food delivery market by offering a unique subscription service focused on providing healthy, gourmet meals prepared by local chefs. With a commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and customizable meal options, we seek to revolutionize the way people experience home dining while supporting local businesses and promoting healthy lifestyles.”
  • “In this groundbreaking study, we investigate the potential of CRISPR gene-editing technology to treat genetic disorders, focusing on the specific case of cystic fibrosis. Our research demonstrates the successful use of CRISPR in correcting the underlying genetic mutation, paving the way for future clinical trials and potential therapies.”
  • “Our team explores the effects of climate change on polar ice caps, using satellite data and advanced modeling techniques to predict future sea level rise. Our findings highlight the urgent need for global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and the world at large.”
  • “This study examines the complex relationship between gut microbiota and human health, revealing how the balance of microorganisms in our digestive systems influences various aspects of our well-being, from immune function to mental health. Our research contributes to the growing body of knowledge in this field and underscores the importance of further exploration into the potential of probiotics and other targeted interventions.”

Importance of Synopsis

A synopsis serves as an essential tool for various individuals involved in the creative process.

To better understand its significance, consider the roles it plays in different contexts:

  • For authors: A well-written synopsis can help authors showcase the key elements of their story in a concise and compelling manner. It allows them to demonstrate the structure, plot, and character development without sharing the entire work.
  • For agents and publishers: A synopsis makes it easier for agents and publishers to evaluate a manuscript’s potential. By summarizing the story, they can quickly decide if it aligns with their market or genre preferences, saving time and effort.
  • For readers: Synopses aid readers in selecting books that align with their interests. By providing a snapshot of the story, readers can make informed decisions without relying solely on cover art or book blurbs.
  • For screenwriters and filmmakers: In the world of cinema, a synopsis is often the first step in pitching a story to producers or directors. It enables them to decide if the plot engages their attention and if it has the potential to be translated well to the screen.

Additionally, crafting a synopsis challenges creators to think critically about their work — practicing brevity , clarity , and refinement in storytelling. It encourages them to distill complex ideas into concise, engaging summaries, a vital skill in today’s information-driven society.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to write a compelling synopsis.

To write a compelling synopsis, start by identifying the most crucial elements of your work , such as the main characters , central conflicts , key events , or overarching themes . Focus on conveying these aspects in a clear, concise manner while avoiding excessive detail or spoilers.

Use engaging language and a narrative style that captures the tone and atmosphere of your work, drawing the reader or viewer into the world you’ve created.

Organize the information in a logical order , ensuring that the synopsis flows smoothly and coherently. Remember to tailor the content to your target audience, adapting the tone, style, and level of detail to suit their needs and expectations.

Lastly, infuse your synopsis with a sense of intrigue and curiosity that leaves the audience eager to explore the full content, creating a tantalizing invitation that they can’t resist.

What are the common mistakes to avoid in writing a synopsis?

When writing a synopsis, there are several common mistakes to avoid in order to create an engaging and effective summary.

One mistake is providing too much detail or revealing major spoilers, which can rob the reader or viewer of the excitement of discovering the twists and turns themselves.

Another pitfall is being overly vague or generic , which can make it difficult for the audience to grasp the essence of the work or understand what makes it unique.

Additionally, neglecting to mention key characters, main points, or central conflicts can leave the audience with an incomplete understanding of the material.

Finally, failing to tailor the tone and style to suit the intended audience may result in a synopsis that feels disconnected from their needs and expectations.

How long should a synopsis be?

The ideal length of a synopsis depends on the work being summarized and the context in which it will be used. Generally, a synopsis should be concise and focused, providing a clear overview of the material without delving into excessive detail.

For novels and plays, synopses typically span a few paragraphs, giving enough information to pique the interest of agents, publishers, or potential readers.

In the case of academic articles or research papers, synopses — often called abstracts — usually range between 150 to 300 words, adhering to guidelines set by the journal or field of study.

Ultimately, the goal is to craft a synopsis that effectively conveys the essence of the work in a succinct and engaging manner tailored to the intended audience and purpose.

In summary, a synopsis is a concise, simplified description of a piece of work, whether it’s a novel, film, or research study. They are beneficial for various purposes, such as helping readers decide if a work is worth their time and attention or providing a quick understanding of the key points.

Examples of synopses include book summaries, movie plot summaries, and abstracts for scholarly articles. When writing a synopsis, remember to focus on the main ideas and events while avoiding excessive detail or opinion. It is essential to maintain a neutral tone and convey accurate information regarding the work being summarized.

Utilizing various formatting tools, such as bullet points or tables, adds clarity and structure to the synopsis, enhancing its readability and effectiveness. By following these guidelines, one can successfully provide a useful, informative synopsis that serves its intended purpose.

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Aerielle Ezra

How To Write A Synopsis

Barbara P

How to Write a Synopsis – A Simple Format & Guide

Published on: Jan 24, 2020

Last updated on: Jan 11, 2024

How to Write a Synopsis

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Are you finding it tough to summarize your detailed story into a short synopsis? If the thought of summarizing your narrative seems overwhelming, know that many students face this challenge.

Imagine the frustration when you have worked hard to create an interesting story, only to feel stuck when trying to make a short synopsis.

But don't worry!

In this blog, we'll not only explain how to write a synopsis but also highlight common mistakes that students make.

Let's begin!

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What is a Synopsis? 

A synopsis is a concise and systematic summary of a larger piece of work, typically a book, movie, play, or academic paper.

In literature, a book synopsis is a short summary that talks about the main parts of a story, like main characters, and central conflict.

For movies, a synopsis is a brief summary that tells the main story, introduces the characters, and sometimes gives away exciting parts of the plot.

In academia, a research paper synopsis is a short description that talks about what the study is trying to do, how it's done, what was found, and what it all means.Pu

Purpose of Writing a Synopsis 

The purpose of writing a synopsis is to provide a concise and informative overview of a larger work, be it a book, movie, or research paper.

In simpler terms, when creating a synopsis, it's important to focus on a few key things:

  • Making sure the information is easy to understand
  • Getting people interested, helping in decision-making
  • Presenting it professionally
  • Meeting specific submission guidelines. 

Think of a synopsis as a helpful tool that tells a little bit about the big work and follows the rules for where it's being sent.

what is synopsis report

How to Write a Synopsis?

Writing a synopsis is not a difficult task if you follow the correct procedure. A good synopsis requires proper planning and preparation.

The following are the steps involved in writing synopses effectively:

Understand the Basics 

Before starting your synopsis, thoroughly understand the work you're summarizing. 

Identify the main characters, character motivations, the central conflict, and the key themes. This foundational understanding is crucial for creating an accurate and engaging summary.

Start with a Strong Opening 

The opening of your synopsis should grab attention and set the tone for the story. It should introduce the main elements without giving away too much.

Introduce the Main Characters 

Briefly introduce the main characters, emphasizing their roles and relationships within the story. Focus on the key traits that drive their actions.

Outline the Central Plot

Summarize the main plot, emphasizing the key events that drive the story forward. Include the central goal or conflict that propels the characters.

Highlight the Central Conflict 

Identify and emphasize the central conflict or challenges the characters face. Clearly articulate the obstacles that stand in their way.

Include Major Turning Points 

Highlight significant turning points or major plot twists that add complexity and intrigue to the story. These moments should showcase the characters' development and contribute to the overall narrative.

Showcase the Resolution 

Provide a glimpse of how the story concludes without giving away all the details. Indicate how the central conflict is resolved and what changes for the characters.

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How to Format a Synopsis?

Formatting is a crucial aspect of creating a professional and visually appealing synopsis for agents and editors. Here are some formatting guidelines to consider:

  • Keep your synopsis concise, typically around 500 to 700 words. Focus on key plot points and essential details without unnecessary elaboration.

Font and Size:

  • Use a standard, easily readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
  • Use a font size between 10 and 12 points for optimal readability.

Margins and Spacing:

  • Set standard one-inch margins on all sides of the document.
  • Use standard single-space or double-spacing to enhance readability.
  • Use clear and straightforward language. Avoid overly complex sentences or excessive details. Aim for a style that reflects the tone of your work.

Presentation:

  • Format your synopsis with a readable font and standard font size. Use a professional layout with clear headings and sections to enhance readability

Character Names:

  • Introduce characters by their full names  in bold and capslock when first mentioned. This helps clarity without repeating full names.

Character Thumbnails:

  • Include brief character thumbnails, providing key traits or motivations. This helps the reader quickly understand the characters' roles in the story.

Extra Points:

  • Focus on major plot points and avoid including every detail. Be selective and emphasize on the most impactful elements.

Paragraph Structure:

  • Organize your synopsis into clear paragraphs for each section, such as the introduction, main body, and conclusion.

Third Person Presentation:

  • Write the synopsis in the third person, even if your story is primarily in the first person. This maintains a professional and objective tone.
  • Write your synopsis in the present tense, regardless of the tense used in your actual work. This creates immediacy and engagement.

Document Type:

  • Save your synopsis in a widely accepted document format, such as .doc or .pdf.

File Naming:

  • Provide a clear and concise file name that includes the title of your work. For example: "Title_Synopsis.docx"

By adhering to these formatting guidelines, you can present a polished and professional synopsis that showcases your attention to detail.

How To Write A Synopsis Examples 

Writing a synopsis means summarizing a big piece of work in a short and interesting way. It could be a story, a movie, or even a research paper. 

Let's look at some important ideas and examples to help you get better at writing a good synopsis.

How To Write A Synopsis Sample:

How to Write a Synopsis for a Film

TV Show Synopsis - Example

Synopsis Example for Novel

Synopsis For a Book

Synopsis For a Short Story

Synopsis For a Story

Synopsis For a Short Film

Here are some more examples related to synopsis writing for research and academia!

Thesis Synopsis - Example

Synopsis For Research

Synopsis For a Project

A Synopsis For Phd

Synopsis of an Article

Tips for Writing the Perfect Synopsis

Here are some essential tips to help you refine your synopsis-writing process and create a compelling summary that captivates your audience:

  • Focus on the Main Plot: Avoid including every detail; instead, highlight the key events that drive the story forward.
  • Capture the Tone of the Work: Reflect the mood and style of the original work in your synopsis. 
  • Emphasize Conflict and Stakes : Clearly articulate the central conflict and what's at stake for the characters. 
  • Avoid Spoilers: Provide enough information to generate interest without giving away critical plot twists or the ending.
  • Keep It Concise: A synopsis is a snapshot, not the entire story. Aim for clarity and conciseness to maintain the reader. 

All in all, now you have a detailed guide on how to write a synopsis. Take help from the tips and examples to craft an engaging synopsis on your own!

But if you are still confused or don’t have time to complete your synopsis, MyPerfectWords.com is always just a click away!

Our legit essay writing service offers high-quality services.  We have experienced essay writers who can easily write your synopsis without any errors. 

They understand your requirements and tailor them according to your needs.

So, why wait? Hire a paper writer now and get your synopsis on time!

Frequently Asked Question

What is the difference between a synopsis and a blurb.

The synopsis is comprehensive and aimed at agents, publishers, or those seeking a detailed understanding. While the blurb is concise and crafted for readers to decide if they want to engage with the book.

How Do You Start Writing A Synopsis?

To start writing a synopsis, begin by identifying the main elements of your work, including the central plot, key characters, and major themes. 

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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Guidelines for writing a research project synopsis or protocol

"Success is often the result of taking a mis - step in the right direction. "

Al Bernstein

A protocol or a synopsis of a research project is a document submitted to an authority or an institution for the purpose of

  • Ethical clearance
  • Formal registration to universities for the award of a degree or doctorate
  • Peer review
  • Financial assistance from organizations like ICMR, DST, NACO, DGHS, and MHRD

Synopsis is the gist of your planned project submitted for approval from competent authorities. It gives a panoramic view of your research for quick analysis by the reviewers.

Thus, a protocol or a synopsis forms an integral part of a research project or a thesis. Many universities have made it mandatory for the postgraduate degree student to prepare a thesis as a part of their postgraduate training. A good knowledge about how a protocol or a synopsis is written is imperative to all people involved in medical research.

Literally, protocol (Greek word, protokollon - first page) means a format procedure for carrying out a scientific research. Synopsis (Greek word, sun - together, opsis - seeing) means brief summary of something. Frequently, both the terms are used as synonyms but the term ′synopsis′ is used more often.

A synopsis should be constructed in a manner that facilitates the reviewer to understand the research project at a glance. It should be brief but precise. A synopsis can be structured in the following manner:

  • Statement of the problem and hypothesis
  • Aims and objectives
  • Review of literature
  • Research methodology
  • Official requirements

Title The title of the research project should be brief but informative; sensationalization of the title is best avoided. It should neither be too short nor too long. Any name of the institution, the number of cases to be studied should not be included. The hypothesis to be studied can be included.

a. "Study of ectopic pregnancy"

This was a title chosen for university registration. The title is too short. It does not state the problem or the hypothesis and is least informative. More meaningful title shall be, "Study of ectopic pregnancy in relation to morbidity, mortality, and intervention in a referral hospital".

b. "A novel sustained release matrix based on biodegradable poly (esteramides) and, impregnated with bacteriophages and an antibiotic shows promise in management of infected venous stasis ulcer and other poorly healing wounds", (Int. J Dermat vol 8 2002). The title is long and ill conceived. It gives a confusing picture about the study problem. Such long titles are best avoided. Certain amount of sensationalization is also present by using term ′novel′. More meaningful title shall be, "Response of venous stasis ulcers and other poorly healing wounds to a biodegradable matrix impregnated with bacteriophages and an antibiotic". The other details about the new method can be mentioned while stating the problem.

c. "Fine needle aspiration, as a diagnostic tool for papulonodular skin lesions". This is an acceptable, informative, and precise title. It states the hypothesis correctly.

Statement of the problem or hypothesis The problem being studied should be mentioned in precise and clear terms. Understanding the problem aids the researcher in constructing the research proposal. It also allows the person to formulate the hypothesis. The problem under study should be relevant to the present. A brief account of its utility at the local or national level has to be discussed. The present status of the problem and the necessity for taking up the study needs to be mentioned.

Hypothesis is mentioned as a tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or more variables. Hypothesis should not be a haphazard guess but should reflect the knowledge, imagination, and experience of the investigator. Hypothesis can be formulated by understanding the problem, reviewing the literature on it, and considering other factors. A researcher can state the problem and the hypothesis in about 200 words covering all the aspects described above.

Aims and objectives All research projects should have objectives and aims and every effort should be made to achieve them. The objectives and aims should be only a few (2-3). They must pertain to the study problem. Usages of terms like "first study", "the only study", etc. should be avoided.

Review of literature Review of literature is a very important part of a research project. It achieves the following:

  • Familiarizes the reader to the problem under study.
  • It describes the work done by others either at local or international level on it or similar subject.
  • It helps the researcher to understand the difficulties faced by others and the corrective steps taken or modifications made by them. The researcher can anticipate similar or additional problems during the study and review of literature helps him in anticipating them.
  • Research methodology of the researcher can be structured and modified after reviewing the literature.
  • The review assists in identifying various variables in the research project and conceptualizes their relationship.
  • Review of literature in a synopsis helps the reviewer in assessing the knowledge of the researcher. The reviewer can assess the work put in by the researcher and also assists in assessing the feasibility of the study.

The review of literature in a synopsis need not be exhaustive. The relevant information should be covered in about 300 words quoting 8-10 authentic, easily retrievable references. Literature can be reviewed by using various scientific-information-gathering methods. These are journals, national or international; bulletins of organizations like WHO, CDC, and ICMR; books; computer-assisted searches like Medline and Medlar; and personal communications with other researchers. Internet provides a vast avenue for information gathering. Care must be taken to retrieve only relevant information. In this era of information technology review of literature is literally "just a click away".

Research methodology In a synopsis the research methodology adopted should be mentioned in about 150-200 words. The research methodology forms the core of the research project. The methodology should cover the following aspects:

  • Study design

Study settings

  • Study methods - examinations or investigations
  • Data collection
  • Data analysis

Study design The methodology starts with selection of study design. A single study design or a combination can be selected e.g.:

Descriptive designs

Cross-sectional study or survey

Epidemiological description of disease occurrence

Community diagnosis

Study of natural history of a disease

Observational analytical designs

Prospective study

Retrospective study

Follow-up study

Experimental designs

Animal studies

Therapeutic clinical trials - drugs

Prophylactic clinical trials- vaccines

Field trials

Operational designs

A mention about the research setting should be made. This includes information about the institution, facilities available, time of study, and population of study.

Sampling Sampling is selecting a sample of appropriate size for the study. The sample size depends on the study design. The study population can be population of cases, population of people, or population of recipients of certain treatment.

There are many methods for sampling like simple random, systemic and stratified sampling, cluster sampling, etc. Care should be taken to ensure that the sample size is adequate to produce meaningful results. The sample size should be adequate to apply all relevant tests of statistical significance. The samples should be representative of the population and should be reliable. This minimizes sampling errors.

Variables Variables are the factors that can change. These changes can affect the outcome of a research project. Thus, it is important to identify the variables at the planning stage. They should be quantified with a measurable unit. Knowledge of the various variables in a research project will assist in refining the objectives. Usually, objectives of a research will be to see the effect of independent variables on dependent variables. There are four types of variables.

Independent variables

These are the variables that can be manipulated by the researcher and the effects of that are observed on the other variables. For example, predisposing factors, risk factors and cause.

Dependent variables

The changes occur as a result of independent variables. For example, disease and outcome.

Intervening variables

These may influence the effect of independent variables on the dependent variables. For example, while studying the response of HIV-AIDS to HAART the outcome may be influenced by the presence of antitubercular drugs.

Background variables

These are changes that are relevant in the groups or population under study. These need to be included in the study. For example, age, sex, and ethnic origin.

Controls Control groups increase the validity of the research project. They usually consist of units of same population but differ in some respects. Controls are not necessary for all research projects. As far as possible they should be used in all analytical studies, drug trials, and intervention programs.

Study methods Here the researcher will have to describe the method of data collection, which may be in the form of:

  • Questionnaire
  • Medical examination
  • Laboratory investigations
  • Screening procedures

A sample of the proforma should be prepared and attached. The possible cost involved and any financial assistance received must be mentioned.

Data collection A brief note on how data are collected should be included. The information should be about:

  • The organizational setup
  • Training to data collecting team
  • Logistic support
  • Plans for collaboration with other organization should be included

Data analysis Data analysis is an important part of a research project. A good analysis leads to good results. The plans for data analysis should be mentioned under the following heads Statistical methods, Computer program used, and Data sorting method. A general statement "appropriate statistical methods will be used." must be avoided.

Ethical clearance Wherever necessary, ethical committee clearance from the institute should be obtained. The certificate must be attached. Ethical clearance is required in all human and animal studies.

References All references quoted in review of literature and anywhere else in the synopsis should be listed here. There are two styles for writing references, Vancouver style and Harvard style. Vancouver style is easy to follow as it depends on the numbers as quoted in text.

Official requirements A synopsis is incomplete if it does not contain the following information:

  • Name of the researcher and designation
  • Name and designation of the guide
  • Name and designation of head of department\institution
  • Name of the institution
  • Signatures of all with official seal

Synopsis writing is an important step in a research project. A good synopsis will give maximum information in minimum words. A well-conceived synopsis will go a long way in convincing the reviewer about the ability of the researcher to conduct the project. In cases of need for financial assistance, the request will be considered favorably. Thus, all research workers should make efforts to prepare a well-structured synopsis.

Acknowledgments

The author is thankful to M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers for their permission to reproduce this article from the "Handbook on Health Professional Education" published by them. [21] [Table 1]

Suggested read for related articles:

  • What the IJDVL expects from authors: Better writing March 23, 2021
  • Eat Coat, Eat! Writing style and Indian Dermatology… October 28, 2023
  • Equipoise: Where does it stand in current clinical research February 25, 2022

© Copyright 2024 – Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology – All rights reserved. Published by Scientific Scholar on behalf of Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists & Leprologists (IADVL), India.

ISSN (Print): 0378-6323 ISSN (Online): 0973-3922

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How to Write a Project Summary (Free Template Included)

ProjectManager

There’s a lot of work involved in getting a project approved. You need to convince stakeholders or clients that the project is worthwhile. This should be done upfront and is usually accomplished via the project summary.

That’s a lot of responsibility for a project summary, which by definition is a short overview of the project. Therefore, nothing can be wasted. Every word must count towards proving that the project is viable and will deliver a return on investment.

What Is a Project Summary?

To start, let’s define the term. A project summary is a document or part of a larger document that’s comprehensive but concise in providing an overview of the proposed project, including key details. It also outlines the project’s objectives, background information to place it in context, requirements, problems, analysis and ends with a conclusion.

While the project summary can be a standalone document or a preface to other types of project documentation, it is most commonly used as the introduction for the project proposal. As noted, a project summary has to hook the reader. Like an opening sentence in a book that keeps you reading, the project summary must capture your attention and pull you through the project proposal.

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Project Summary Template

Use this free Project Summary Template for Word to manage your projects better.

When Should You Use a Project Summary?

The project summary is created during the project pitch. It provides a big-picture view of the project, including a brief description and the essential parts. This is where you’ll start to define the project’s goals, the schedule of tasks that must be executed to deliver the project, an estimation of its budget, etc. to ensure everyone understands the basic plan.

The project summary might be the most important part of your project proposal as it’s the first time the reader will be exposed to the project and why you believe it’s worth executing. Make sure to conduct thorough research to create a well-rounded project summary. This can help convince a client or stakeholder of the value of the project.

Even though a project proposal opens with the project summary, it’s not uncommon for this to be the last section that’s written. If you’re thoroughly researching the topic, you’ll be addressing issues that come up in other sections of the project proposal. Therefore, when you complete the proposal, you’ll have all the information you need to properly create an executive summary .

If done right, the project summary will lead the client through the project proposal and once they’re done, they’ll approve the work. It’s good to have all that documentation in project management software so you can easily turn the project summary into a project plan. ProjectManager is online project management software with unlimited file storage to act as the hub for your project documentation. If you collect the project proposal in our list view, it’s easy to toggle to the Gantt chart where you can create a visual schedule on a timeline. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

ProjectManager's list view

What Should Be Included In a Project Summary?

A project summary should be short, but you don’t want to shortchange the project and not give the summary enough room to sell the project to the stakeholder or client. You’ll want to avoid jargon and proprietary or confidential information, such as trade secrets. Write in plain, easy-to-understand sentences. The project summary shouldn’t be difficult to comprehend.

Project Information

You’ll begin by outlining high-level information about the project, including:

  • Project name
  • Project manager
  • Project sponsor

You can add the project team if they’ve been assembled at this point. It’s also a good idea to provide a brief overview of the project, goals and objectives , benefits, etc. Note what it is you’re going to accomplish and how. Plus, when dealing with projects outside of your organization, a background is advisable.

Project Schedule

The project schedule is a chronological timeline that charts the project from beginning to end. On that timeline are the activities and tasks that must be executed to achieve the final project deliverable. This includes dates, duration, milestones and all deliverables. You don’t have to be as thorough as when planning your project plan, but a brief outline is necessary.

Project Budget

The budget is often included in the project schedule and isn’t a detailed forecast of costs, but it’s still an important component and should be included. You’ll want to have some financial projections to show how much the project will cost and what sort of return is expected. A budget baseline is also helpful.

Resource Plan

To further help stakeholders understand the project you want to include a list of resources. Resources are anything you need to complete the project. This includes the project team, materials, equipment, etc.

Risk Management Overview

Every project has inherent risks. Stakeholders want to know what risks you identify as potentially occurring in the project, their impact and how you’ll mitigate them. This includes roadblocks and challenges—anything that will impact the scope, cost and time of the project. Briefly outline your risk management plan . You can go into detail if the project is approved.

Writing a project summary takes a lot of preparation. One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is the format. Use our free project summary template for Word and you’ll simply have to fill in the blank fields. Everything you need is there and the project summary template is customizable so you can add your logo and edit the document to suit the specific needs of the project you’re proposing.

free project summary template

How to Write a Project Summary

We’ve gone over the basic components of a project summary. Now let’s look at how to write one. While the project summary is brief by definition, the research is extensive. Follow these steps to make sure you do a thorough job.

1. Talk to Your Team

No single person is equipped to tackle the challenges of a project summary. You need to bring together your project team . They’re the ones who will be executing the project on the front lines, so to speak. They have the expertise and knowledge. Use them as a resource as you research the project.

2. Know Your Audience

The research is one part of convincing stakeholders of the value of the project. How you present it is the other. You need to speak the language of the stakeholders. The tone, word choices and more are all going to change whether you’re speaking to a client or a stakeholder. This is especially true in terms of industry. You’ll address construction differently than manufacturing or IT.

3. Define Your Objectives

You’ll want to make it clear what the objective of the project is and what indicates that the project has been successfully completed. That requires sharing the metrics you’ll use to measure the project. You also need to know the project intent, similar to its mission statement .

4. Write Your Project Summary

Work with your team to write a clear and concise project summary. Make sure you’ve included all the components we’ve mentioned above. Don’t forget to proofread the project summary as nothing looks more unprofessional than bad grammar or misspellings.

Other Project Management Templates to Help Create a Project Summary

The project summary is one of the dozens of free project management templates we have for both Excel and Word. There are templates for every phase of a project. Here are a few that relate to the project summary.

Budget Proposal Template

You can estimate the cost of a project with our free budget proposal template for Excel. It shows potential stakeholders how much the project will cost, from salaries to materials and equipment. There’s also space to add travel, communications and other direct and indirect costs.

Project Timeline Template

A project summary needs to include a brief project timeline. The free project timeline template for Excel can help. It has a column on the left-hand side where you can add tasks, start and end dates, as well as duration, which then automatically populates a visual timeline to the right.

Project Proposal Template

The project summary is part of the larger project proposal. You need to have one to get a project approved and funded. Our free project proposal template for Word includes everything from a summary to the solution, implementation to deliverables.

ProjectManager Is Ideal for Keeping Track of Your Project

Templates can help you organize your ideas and deliver a great project summary and proposal, but once it’s approved you’ll need project management software to plan, manage and track the work. ProjectManager is online software that empowers teams to work more efficiently while giving managers tools to monitor their work in real time.

Track Progress With Real-Time Dashboards

Once you have your project schedule on our robust Gantt chart , you can set a baseline, which makes it possible for you to track the planned effort against the actual effort in real time. This data also feeds into our real-time dashboard and is displayed in easy-to-read graphs and charts. You get a high-level view of the progress and performance of your project whenever you want. Unlike competing software products, there’s no time-consuming configuration. It’s ready when you are.

Get Deeper Into the Data With Customizable Reports

When you want to get more detail than a dashboard can provide, generate a report . You can do it with a couple of keystrokes and then customize each to show only the data you want to see. Get status and portfolio reports as well as variance, workload and more. All reports can be easily shared in a variety of formats with stakeholders to keep them updated.

ProjectManager's workload report filter

Of course, you need to do more than monitor and track your project in real time to deliver your project on time and within budget. That’s why we have features to help you manage risk, tasks and resources. Our tool makes it fast and easy to onboard your team and helps them collaborate, add comments to tasks and share files. We help you turn a project summary into project success.

ProjectManager is award-winning software that gives you the tools to achieve your project goals and objectives. Get real-time data to help you make more insightful decisions and give your teams a collaborative platform that lets them work better together. Join the teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our tool. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

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How to Write an Executive Summary for a Report: Step By Step Guide with Examples

what is synopsis report

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So you have finally written a great comprehensive business report that took you weeks to create. You have included all the data from the different departments, compared it, done the analysis, made forecasts, and provided solutions to specific problems.

There is just one problem – the key stakeholders in the company don’t have enough time to go through the whole report.

Since the data and the KPIs that you included in the report are necessary for quality decision-making, you can see why this can become a huge issue.

Luckily, there is a way to present all of your key findings and not take too much of their time. This is done through executive summaries.

An executive summary is exactly what the name suggests – a summary. It is essentially a quick overview of all the most important metrics in the report. The purpose of this summary is to bring the attention of the highest-ranking members in the company to the most important KPIs that they will consider when making decisions.

While an executive summary is a rather short section, it doesn’t mean that it’s easy to write. You will have to pay extra attention to every single sentence in order to avoid unnecessary information.

Do you want to learn how to create an informative executive summary? This guide will show you all you need to know.

What Is an Executive Report?

What is an executive summary in a report, how long should an executive summary be, who is the audience of an executive summary, what should be included in an executive summary report, how to write an executive summary report, common mistakes to avoid when writing executive summaries, executive report examples, executive summary templates, create executive reports in databox.

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Executive reports are used for keeping senior managers updated on the latest and most significant activities in the company. These reports have to be concise and accurate since they will have a huge impact on the most important business-related decisions.

Working for any sort of company requires writing different types of reports such as financial reports , marketing reports , sales reports , internal reports, and more.

What all of these reports have in common is that they are very comprehensive and typically require a lot of time to go through them –way too much time, if you ask busy managers.

They include a wealthy amount of data and a bunch of different metrics which are more useful for a particular team in the company. However, the highest-ranking members tend to be more focused on only the most essential KPIs that they need for making future decisions and strategies.

This is why executive reports come in handy. They are usually only a few pages long and they include only the most relevant details and data that incurred in a specific period.

An executive summary is the brief overview section included in a long report or document. This part of the report primarily focuses on the key topics and most important data within it. It can include an overall business goal of the company or short-term strategic objectives.

This summary is primarily useful for C-level managers who don’t have time to read the whole report but want to have an insight into the main KPIs and latest business performances.

Bank officials also may use executive summaries since it’s the quickest way for them to estimate whether your company represents a good investment opportunity.

Depending on your company’s practice, executive summaries can either be placed at the beginning of the report or as a formal section in the table of contents. 

The length of the summary depends on the type of report, but it is typically one or two pages long.

To know whether you have written a good executive summary, you can ask yourself, “Are the stakeholders going to have all the information they need to make decisions?”

If the answer is yes, you have done a good job.

There is no strict rule about how long executive summaries should be. Each company is unique which means the length will always vary. In most cases, it will depend on the size of the report/business plan.

However, a universal consensus is that it should be anywhere from one to four pages long or five to ten percent of the length of the report.

This is typically more than enough space to summarize the story behind the data and provide your stakeholders with the most important KPIs for future decision-making.

The people most interested in reading the executive summary are typically the ones who don’t have time to read the whole report and want a quick overview of the most important data and information.

These include:

  • Project stakeholders – The individuals or organizations that are actively involved in a project with your company.
  • Management personnel (decision-makers) – The highest-ranking employees in your company (manager, partner, general partner, etc.)
  • Investors – As we said, this could be bank officials who want a quick recap of your company’s performance so they can make an easier investment decision.
  • Venture capitalists – Investors who provide capital in exchange for equity stakes.
  • C-level executives – The chief executives in your business.

Related : Reporting Strategy for Multiple Audiences: 6 Tips for Getting Started

The components of your executive summary depend on what is included in the overall larger document. Executive summary elements may also vary depending on the type of document (business plan, project, report, etc.), but there are several components that are considered universal.

These are the main elements you should include:

Methods of analyzing the problem

Solutions to the problem, the ‘why now’ segment, well-defined conclusion.

The purpose of the summary should typically be included in the introduction as an opening statement. Explain what you aim to achieve with the document and communicate the value of your desired objective.

This part is supposed to grab your reader’s attention, so make sure they pay extra attention when writing it.

Problems are an unavoidable element in modern-day businesses, even in the most successful companies.

The second thing your executive summary needs to outline is what specific problem you are dealing with. It could be anything from product plans and customer feedback to sales revenue and marketing strategies.

Define the problems clearly so all the members know which areas need fixing.

Problem analysis methods are key for identifying the causes of the issue.

While figuring out the problems and the methods to solve them is immensely important, you shouldn’t overlook the things that caused them. This will help you from avoiding similar issues in the future.

Now that you’ve introduced the stakeholders to the problems, it’s time to move on to your solutions. Think of a few different ways that could solve the issue and include as many details as you can.

This is one of the most important parts of your executive summary.

The ‘Why Now’ segment showcases why the problem needs to be solved in a timely manner. You don’t want the readers to get the impression that there is plenty of time to fix the issue.

By displaying urgency in your summary, your report will have a much bigger impact.

One of the ways to display urgency visually is by adding performance benchmarks to your report. In case your business is not performing well as other companies within your industry, only one image showcasing which metrics are below the median could make a compelling case for the reader.

High churn example

For example, if you have discovered that your churn rate is much higher than for an average SaaS company, this may be a good indication that you have issues with poor customer service, poor marketing, pricing issues, potentially outdated product features, etc.

Benchmark Your Performance Against Hundreds of Companies Just Like Yours

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Lastly, you should end your executive summary with a well-defined conclusion.

Make sure to include a recap of the problems, solutions, and the overall most important KPIs from the document.

Okay, so you understand the basics of executive summaries and why they are so important. However, you still aren’t sure how to write one.

Don’t worry.

Here are some of the best practices you can use to create amazing executive summaries that will impress your key stakeholders and high-ranking members.

Write it Last

Grab their attention, use appropriate language, talk strategy, include forecasts, highlight funding needs, make it short.

The most natural way to write your executive summary is by writing it at the end of your report/business plan.

This is because you will already have gone through all the most important information and data that should later be included.

A good suggestion is to take notes of all the significant KPIs that you think should be incorporated in the summary, it will make it easier for you to later categorize the data and you will have a clearer overview of the key parts of the report.

You may think that you already know which data you are going to include, but once you wrap up your report, you will probably run into certain things that you forgot to implement. It’s much easier to create an executive summary with all the data segmented in one place, than to rewrite it later.

While your primary goal when creating the executive summary is to make it informative, you also have to grab the attention of your readers so that you can motivate them to read the rest of the document.

Once they finish reading the last few sentences of the summary, the audience should be looking forward to checking out the remanding parts to get the full story.

If you are having trouble with finding ways to capture the reader’s attention, you can ask some of your colleagues from the sales department to lend a hand. After all, that’s their specialty.

One more important element is the type of language you use in the summary. Keep in mind who will be reading the summary, your language should be adjusted to a group of executives.

Make the summary understandable and avoid using complicated terms that may cause confusion, your goal is to feed the stakeholders with important information that will affect their decision-making.

This doesn’t only refer to the words that you use, the way in which you provide explanation should also be taken into consideration. People reading the report should be able to easily and quickly understand the main pain points that you highlighted.

You should have a specific part in your executive summary where you will focus on future strategies. This part should include information regarding your project, target market, program, and the problems that you think should be solved as soon as possible.

Also, you should provide some useful insights into the overall industry or field that your business operates in. Showcase some of the competitive advantages of your company and specific marketing insights that you think the readers would find interesting.

Related : What Is Strategic Reporting? 4 Report Examples to Get Inspiration From

Make one of the sections revolve around financial and sales forecasts for the next 1-3 years. Provide details of your breakeven points, such as where the expenses/revenues are equal and when you expect certain profits from your strategies.

This practice is mainly useful for business plans, but the same principle can be applied to reports. You can include predictions on how your overall objectives and goals will bring profit to the company.

Related : How Lone Fir Creative Uses Databox to Forecast, Set, & Achieve Agency & Client Goals

Don’t forget to talk about the funding needs for your projects since there is a high chance that investors will find their way to the executive summary as well.

You can even use a quotation from an influential figure that supports your upcoming projects. Include the costs that will incur but also provide profitability predictions that will persuade the investors to fund your projects.

While your report should include all of the most important metrics and data, aim for maximum conciseness.

Don’t include any information that may be abundant and try to keep the executive summary as short as possible. Creating a summary that takes up dozens of pages will lose its original purpose.

With a concise summary and clear communication of your messages, your readers will have an easy time understanding your thoughts and then take them into consideration.

Also, one last tip is to use a positive tone throughout the summary. You want your report to exude confidence and reassure the readers.

PRO TIP: How Well Are Your Marketing KPIs Performing?

Like most marketers and marketing managers, you want to know how well your efforts are translating into results each month. How much traffic and new contact conversions do you get? How many new contacts do you get from organic sessions? How are your email campaigns performing? How well are your landing pages converting? You might have to scramble to put all of this together in a single report, but now you can have it all at your fingertips in a single Databox dashboard.

Our Marketing Overview Dashboard includes data from Google Analytics 4 and HubSpot Marketing with key performance metrics like:

  • Sessions . The number of sessions can tell you how many times people are returning to your website. Obviously, the higher the better.
  • New Contacts from Sessions . How well is your campaign driving new contacts and customers?
  • Marketing Performance KPIs . Tracking the number of MQLs, SQLs, New Contacts and similar will help you identify how your marketing efforts contribute to sales.
  • Email Performance . Measure the success of your email campaigns from HubSpot. Keep an eye on your most important email marketing metrics such as number of sent emails, number of opened emails, open rate, email click-through rate, and more.
  • Blog Posts and Landing Pages . How many people have viewed your blog recently? How well are your landing pages performing?

Now you can benefit from the experience of our Google Analytics and HubSpot Marketing experts, who have put together a plug-and-play Databox template that contains all the essential metrics for monitoring your leads. It’s simple to implement and start using as a standalone dashboard or in marketing reports, and best of all, it’s free!

marketing_overview_hubspot_ga_dashboard_preview

You can easily set it up in just a few clicks – no coding required.

To set up the dashboard, follow these 3 simple steps:

Step 1: Get the template 

Step 2: Connect your HubSpot and Google Analytics 4 accounts with Databox. 

Step 3: Watch your dashboard populate in seconds.

No one expects you to become an expert executive summary writer overnight. Learning how to create great and meaningful summaries will inevitably take some time.

With the above-mentioned best practices in mind, you should also pay attention to avoiding certain mistakes that could reduce the value of your summaries.

Here are some examples.

Don’t use jargon

Avoid going into details, the summary should be able to stand alone, don’t forget to proofread.

From project stakeholders to C-level executives, everyone should be able to easily understand and read the information you gather in your summary.

Keep in mind, you are probably much more familiar with some of the technical terms that your departments use since you are closer to the daily work and individual tasks than your stakeholders.

Read your summary once again after you finish it to make sure there are no jargons you forgot to elaborate on.

Remember, your summary should be as short as possible, but still include all the key metrics and KPIs. There is no reason to go into details of specific projects, due dates, department performances, etc.

When creating the summary, ask yourself twice whether the information you included truly needs to be there.

Of course, there are certain details that bring value to the summary, but learn how to categorize the useful ones from the unnecessary ones.

While you will know your way around the project, that doesn’t apply to the readers.

After wrapping up the summary, go over it once again to see whether it can stand on its own. This means checking out if there is any sort of context that the readers will need in order to understand the summary.

If the answer is yes, you will have to redo the parts that can’t be understood by first-time readers.

Your executive summary is prone to changes, so making a typo isn’t the end of the world, you can always go back and fix it.

However, it’s not a bad idea to ask one of your colleagues to proofread it as well, just so you have an additional set of eyes.

Using reporting tools such as dashboards for executive reports can provide you with a birds-eye view of your company’s most important KPIs and data.

These dashboards work as visualization tools that will make all the important metrics much more understandable to your internal stakeholders.

Since executive reports on their own don’t include any visual elements such as graphs or charts, these dashboards basically grant them superpowers.

Executive reporting dashboards also make the decision-making process easier since there won’t be any misunderstandings regarding the meaning of the data.

Not only will you be able to gather the data in real-time, but you can also connect different sources onto the dashboard can use the visuals for performance comparisons.

Interested in giving executive report dashboards a try? Let’s check out some of the best examples.

Marketing Performance Dashboard

Customer support performance dashboard, financial overview dashboard, saas management dashboard, sales kpi dashboard.

To stay on top of your key user acquisition metrics, such as visit to leads conversion rates, email traffic, blog traffic, and more, you can use this Marketing Performance Dashboard .

You can pull in data from advanced tools such as HubSpot Marketing and Google Analytics to get a full overview of how your website generates leads.

Some of the things you will learn through this dashboard are:

  • Which traffic sources are generating the most amount of leads
  • How to track which number of users are new to your website
  • How to compare the traffic you are getting from your email with blog traffic
  • How to stay on top of lead generation goals each month
  • How to be sure that your marketing activities are paying off

The key metrics included are bounce rate, new users, page/session, pageview, and average session duration.

Marketing Performance Dashboard

You can use the Customer Support Performance Dashboard to track the overall performance of your customer service and check out how efficient individual agents are.

This simple and customizable dashboard will help you stay in touch with new conversation numbers, open/closed conversations by teammates, number of leads, and much more.

Also, you will get the answers to questions such as:

  • How many new conversations did my customer support agents deal with yesterday/last week/last month?
  • How many conversations are currently in progress?
  • In which way are customer conversations tagged on Intercom?
  • How to track the number of leads that the support team is generating?
  • What is the best way to measure the performance of my customer support team?

Some of the key metrics are leads, open conversations, new conversations, tags by tag name, closed conversations, and more.

Customer Support Performance Dashboard

Want to know how much income your business generated last month? How to measure the financial health of your business? How about figuring out the best way to track credit card purchases?

You can track all of these things and more by using the Financial Overview Dashboard .

This free customizable dashboard will help you gain an insight into all of your business’s financial operations, cash flow, bank accounts, sales, expenses, and plenty more.

Understanding your company from a financial standpoint is one of the most important ingredients of good decision-making.

With key metrics such as gross profit, net income, open invoices, total expenses, and dozens more – all gathered in one financial reporting software , you will have no problems staying on top of your financial activities.

Financial Overview Dashboard

Use this SaaS Management Dashboard to have a clear overview of your business’s KPIs in real-time. This customizable dashboard will help you stay competitive in the SaaS industry by providing you with comprehensive data that can you can visualize, making it more understandable.

You will be able to:

  • See how your company is growing on an annual basis
  • Have a detailed outline of your weakest and strongest months
  • Determine which strategies are most efficient in driving revenue

The key metrics included in this dashboard are recurring revenue, churn by type, MRR changes, and customer changes.

SaaS Management Dashboard

Do you want to monitor your sales team’s output and outcomes? Interested in tracking average deal sizes, number of won deals, new deals created, and more?

This Sales KPI Dashboard can help you do just that.

It serves as a perfect tool for sales managers that are looking for the best way to create detailed overviews of their performances. It also helps achieve sales manager goals for the pre-set time periods.

By connecting your HubSpot account to this customizable dashboard, you can learn:

  • What’s the average deal size
  • The number of open, closed, and lost deals each month
  • How much revenue you can expect from the new deals
  • How your business is progressing towards the overall sales goals

Sales KPI Dashboard

Although you probably understand what your executive summary should include by now, you may still need a bit of help with creating a clear outline to follow.

We thought about that too. Here are some template examples that will help you create executive summaries for different kinds of business needs.

Here is an executive summary template for a business plan:

  • [Company profile (with relevant history)]
  • [Company contact details]
  • [Description of products and/or services]
  • [Unique proposition]
  • [Competitive advantage]
  • [Intellectual property]
  • [Development status]
  • [Market opportunity]
  • [Target market]
  • [Competitors]
  • [Funding needs]
  • [Potential price of goods]
  • [Projected profit margins for year one and two]
  • [Summarize main points]

Executive summary template for marketing plan:

  • [Product description]
  • [Unique customer characteristics]
  • [Customer spending habits]
  • [Relationship to product]
  • [Access channels]
  • [Value and credibility of product]
  • [Product competitive advantage]
  • [Creative outlook]
  • [Goal statement]
  • [Forecasted cost]
  • [Next week]
  • [Next month]

Executive summary template for a research report

  • [Project topic]
  • [Name | Date]
  • [Report introduction]
  • [Background]
  • [Research methods]
  • [Conclusions]
  • [Recommendations]

Executive summary template for project executive

  • [Project name]
  • [Program name]
  • [Project lead]
  • [Prepared by]
  • [Project milestones]
  • [Status overviews]
  • [New requests]
  • [Issues summary]
  • [Project notes]

For the longest time, writing executive reports has been seen as a grueling and time-consuming process that will require many sleepless nights to get the job done right.

While there is plenty of truth to this, modern automated reporting software has revolutionized these writing nightmares.

Databox is one of those tools.

With Databox, you will be able to connect data from multiple sources into one comprehensive dashboard. Also, you are going to gain access to different types of charts and graphs that you can use for data visualization and make the report much more understandable to the readers.

Using a modernized tool like Databox will provide you with a faster, more accurate, and more efficient reporting process.

This advanced software allows you easily create your own customizable reports that can be adjusted in real-time as soon as new data emerges.

Who says executive reporting has to be a tedious process? Sign up for our free trial and see how easy creating executive reports can be. 

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  • Literary Terms
  • Definition & Examples
  • When & How to Write a Synopsis

I. What is a Synopsis?

A synopsis is a brief summary that gives audiences an idea of what a composition is about. It provides an overview of the storyline or main points and other defining factors of the work, which may include style, genre, persons or characters of note, setting, and so on. We write synopses for all kinds of things—any type of fiction or nonfiction book, academic papers, journal and newspaper articles, films, TV shows, and video games, just to name a few!

The amount of detail and information revealed in a synopsis depends on its purpose. For instance, authors often need to provide a lengthy synopsis when proposing a book, article, or work to potential publishers or editors —in that case, a synopsis will include a full plot overview (which includes revealing the ending), signs of character progression, detailed explanation of theme and tone, and so on. This article will mainly focus on the short synopses you see every day on websites and other media outlets.

II. Example of a Synopsis

Here’s an example of a short synopsis of the story of Jack and Jill:

Jack and Jill is the story of a boy and a girl who went up a hill together. They went to fetch a pail of water, but unfortunately, their plan is disrupted when Jack falls and hits his head, and rolls back down the hill. Then, Jill falls too, and comes tumbling down after Jack.

As you can see, the synopsis outlines what happens in the story. It introduces the main characters and the main plot points without being overly detailed or wordy.

III. Importance of Synopses

Synopses are extremely valuable and necessary pieces of writing for authors, film makers, TV producers, academic writers, and many others.

  • On one level, it’s what actually helps a book get published or a film or TV series get made—a successful, well-written synopsis can convince the person in charge of publication or production to bring a work to life
  • On the other hand, synopses grab the attention of potential audiences and can convince them to read, watch, or listen
  • Also, they help researchers find what they are looking for and decide if a piece is relevant to their field

Without them, audiences and readers would never know what something was about before reading or viewing it! Thus, the importance of synopses is twofold: it both helps works get made and then helps them reach the right audiences.

IV. Examples of Synopses in Literature

Example 1: synopsis of a novel.

When we want to choose a novel, it’s a common practice to read a synopsis of what it’s about. A short synopsis will give us just enough details to draw readers in and hopefully convince them to read the book! Here’s a brief synopsis from Cliff’s Notes of The Hunger Games :

In Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, the Capitol forces each of Panem’s 12 districts to choose two teenagers to participate in the Hunger Games, a gruesome, televised fight to the death. In the 12th district, Katniss Everdeen steps in for her little sister and enters the Games, where she is torn between her feelings for her hunting partner, Gale Hawthorne, and the district’s other tribute, Peeta Mellark, even as she fights to stay alive. The Hunger Games will change Katniss’ life forever, but her acts of humanity and defiance might just change the Games, too.

Example 2: Synopsis of an Academic Paper

Sometimes, teachers, professors, publications, or editors want a synopsis of an academic paper, lecture, or article, which is more formally called an abstract (See Related Terms ). Like with a work of fiction, it gives a summary of the main points of the papers or article and provides a snapshot of what issues will be discussed. Synopses of these types of work are particularly important for scholars and anyone doing research, because when searching, they need to be able to know what an article is about and whether it is relevant to their work.

During his career, J.R.R. Tolkien gave a lecture on the classic Beowulf , which became one of the most respected and most-consulted academic sources on the poem to date. Here is a synopsis:

Before Tolkien, general scholarly opinion held…that while the poem might after all be unified, it was nevertheless unfortunate that the poet had chosen to tell stories about a hero, ogres, and a dragon, instead of detailing the wars in the North to which he often provocatively alludes. Tolkien’s lecture strongly and sometimes ironically defends the poet’s decision and the poem itself. The poet had every right to choose fantasy rather than history as his subject; in doing so he universalized his theme; his many allusions to events not recounted gave his work depth; most of all, the poem offered a kind of negotiation between the poet’s own firmly Christian world and the world of his pagan ancestors, on whom he looked back with admiration and pity.

This synopsis shares the main focus of Tolkien’s famous lecture and outlines its purpose for those who may be interested in it and can benefit from his research.

V. Examples of Synopses in Popular Culture

Example 1: synopsis of a tv series.

Giving the audience a written preview of a subject or storyline is a standard practice for TV producers. Before the series Gotham premiered, Warner Brothers released a detailed synopsis of exactly what the show would be about, which was particularly important because the audience would want to know how it would be placed amongst other Batman storylines. Here is a selection from its official synopsis:

Gotham is the origin story of the great DC Comics Super- Villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer/writer Bruno Heller (The Mentalist, Rome), this one-hour drama follows one cop’s rise through a dangerously corrupt city teetering on the edge of evil and chronicles the genesis of one of the most popular super heroes of our time. Brave, earnest and eager to prove himself, the newly minted detective Gordon (Ben McKenzie) is partnered with the brash, but shrewd police legend Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), as the two stumble upon the city’s highest-profile case ever: the murder of local billionaires Thomas and Martha Wayne.

This is only one piece of the synopsis provided by Warner Brothers, but it’s a good sample of the bigger picture. It introduces the main theme and major characters, giving us a taste of what the series has in store.

Example 2: Synopsis of a Film

The job of a film synopsis is to build excitement and anticipation in the audience. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a long-awaited addition to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter universe and the release of this synopsis and trailer was big news in the world of popular culture. Here’s the synopsis:

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident…were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

When a new film is announced, producers usually release a written synopsis like this, as well as an official trailer. Truly, a movie trailer is just a visual form of a synopses. But, a trailer builds even more anticipation in the audience than a written summary, because it gives a true peek at what will unfold on screen.

VI. Related Terms

An abstract is a brief summary of a scholarly work. It does the same things as a synopsis, but goes by a different term—“synopsis” is the preferred term for creative writing, films, and television, “while abstract” is the preferred term for formal or academic works. Overall, they have the same purpose.

An outline is shorter, less defined plan of what you’re going to include in a piece of writing. It’s usually written in the brainstorming phase, and just “outlines” general things that the work will include, and may change as you get farther in your work. An outline comes before a work is written, and a synopsis is written after a work is complete.

VII. Conclusion

In conclusion, synopses are useful summaries that are written for the benefit of a potential reader or audience. It gives an overview and a “sneak peek” at a work, which lets them choose things that are interesting or useful to them personally and/or professionally.

List of Terms

  • Alliteration
  • Amplification
  • Anachronism
  • Anthropomorphism
  • Antonomasia
  • APA Citation
  • Aposiopesis
  • Autobiography
  • Bildungsroman
  • Characterization
  • Circumlocution
  • Cliffhanger
  • Comic Relief
  • Connotation
  • Deus ex machina
  • Deuteragonist
  • Doppelganger
  • Double Entendre
  • Dramatic irony
  • Equivocation
  • Extended Metaphor
  • Figures of Speech
  • Flash-forward
  • Foreshadowing
  • Intertextuality
  • Juxtaposition
  • Literary Device
  • Malapropism
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Parallelism
  • Pathetic Fallacy
  • Personification
  • Point of View
  • Polysyndeton
  • Protagonist
  • Red Herring
  • Rhetorical Device
  • Rhetorical Question
  • Science Fiction
  • Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
  • Synesthesia
  • Turning Point
  • Understatement
  • Urban Legend
  • Verisimilitude
  • Essay Guide
  • Cite This Website

'Hotel California' trial: What to know criminal case over handwritten Eagles lyrics

A curious criminal case involving  handwritten lyrics to the classic rock megahit "Hotel California"  and other favorites from rock band the Eagles is going to trial in a New York courtroom, with opening statements set for Wednesday.

The three defendants, all well-established in the collectibles world, are accused of scheming to thwart Eagles co-founder Don Henley's efforts to reclaim the allegedly ill-gotten documents.

The trial concerns more than 80 pages of drafts of the words to songs from the "Hotel California" album, the 1976 release that stands today as the  third-biggest selling disc ever  in the U.S.

The Eagles Long Goodbye: See the setlist for the legendary rock band's final tour

The documents include lyrics-in-development for "Life in the Fast Lane," "New Kid in Town" and, of course, "Hotel California," the more than six-minute-long, somewhat mysterious musical tale of the goings-on at an inviting, decadent but ultimately dark place where "you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."

If scorned by some as an overexposed artifact of the '70s, the Grammy-winning song is still a touchstone on classic rock radio and many personal playlists. The entertainment data company Luminate counted over 220 million streams and 136,000 radio plays of "Hotel California" in the U.S. last year.

Who stole 'Hotel California' lyrics documents?

Rare-book dealer Glenn Horowitz, former Rock & Roll Hall of Fame curator Craig Inciardi and memorabilia seller Edward Kosinski are accused of stealing the handwritten lyrics and have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and various other charges. Their lawyers have said the case "alleges criminality where none exists and unfairly tarnishes the reputations of well-respected professionals."

The case was brought in 2022, a decade after some of the pages began popping up for auction and Henley took notice — and took umbrage. He bought back a bit of the material for $8,500 but also reported the documents stolen, according to court filings.

Don Henley: Music 'keeps me from going nuts

At the time, the lyrics sheets were in the hands of Kosinski and Inciardi, who had bought them from Horowitz. He had purchased them in 2005 from Ed Sanders, a writer and 1960s counterculture figure who worked with the Eagles on a band biography that was shelved in the early '80s.

Sanders, who also co-founded the avant-garde rock group the Fugs, isn't charged in the case and hasn't responded to a message seeking comment about it.

Sanders told Horowitz in 2005 that Henley's assistant had mailed along any documents he wanted for the biography, though the writer worried that Henley "might conceivably be upset" if they were sold, according to emails recounted in the indictment.

But once Henley's lawyers began asking questions, Horowitz, Inciardi and Kosinski started maneuvering to gin up and disseminate a legally viable ownership history for the manuscripts, Manhattan prosecutors say.

Why are the 'Hotel California' lyrics on trial?

According to the indictment, Inciardi and Horowitz floated evolving accounts of how Sanders obtained the documents. The explanations ranged over the next five years from Sanders finding them abandoned in a backstage dressing room to the writer getting them from Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey, who  died in 2016 .

Emails show some input and assent from Sanders, but he also apparently objected at least to the backstage-salvage story. In messages that didn't include him, Horowitz wrote about getting Sanders' "'explanation' shaped into a communication" and giving him "gentle handling" and assurances "that he's not going to the can," the indictment says.

The defendants' lawyers have said that Sanders had legal possession of the documents, and so did the men who bought them from him. Defense attorneys have indicated they plan to question how clearly Henley remembers his dealings with Sanders and the lyric sheets at a time when the rock star was living life in the fast lane himself.

The defendants decided last week to forgo a jury trial, so Judge Curtis Farber will decide the verdict.

What are the 'Hotel California' lyrics?

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hairWarm smell of colitas, rising up through the airUp ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering lightMy head grew heavy and my sight grew dimI had to stop for the nightThere she stood in the doorwayI heard the mission bellAnd I was thinking to myself"This could be Heaven or this could be Hell"Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the wayThere were voices down the corridorI thought I heard them say

Welcome to the Hotel CaliforniaSuch a lovely place (Such a lovely place)Such a lovely facePlenty of room at the Hotel CaliforniaAny time of year (Any time of year)You can find it here

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes bendsShe got a lot of pretty, pretty boys she calls friendsHow they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweatSome dance to remember, some dance to forget

So I called up the Captain"Please bring me my wine."He said, "We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine."And still those voices are calling from far awayWake you up in the middle of the nightJust to hear them say

Welcome to the Hotel CaliforniaSuch a lovely place (Such a lovely place)Such a lovely faceThey livin' it up at the Hotel CaliforniaWhat a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)Bring your alibis

Mirrors on the ceilingThe pink champagne on iceAnd she said "We are all just prisoners here, of our own device"And in the master's chambersThey gathered for the feastThey stab it with their steely knivesBut they just can't kill the beast

Last thing I rememberI was running for the doorI had to find the passage back to the place I was before"Relax," said the night man"We are programmed to receiveYou can check-out any time you likeBut you can never leave!"

LIVE COVERAGE

Nvidia's Earnings Are a Flashpoint for the Market

Live coverage of the chip maker's quarterly results..

Last Updated: 

What to Watch Today

Nvidia reported results late Wednesday, sending shares up in after-hours trading.

In its closely watched report, Nvidia said revenue was $22.1 billion for the latest quarter, above analysts' expectations for $20.4 billion.

The company's outlook for the current quarter was strong, as well, above Wall Street forecasts.

Nvidia shares rose 6% initially following the release.

As a proxy for artificial intelligence demand, any large moves in shares of Nvidia tend to affect the entire tech sector and the broader market.

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Latest updates.

Eric J. Savitz

Investors fretted about the potential for an earnings-related selloff in Nvidia shares headed into the quarter. They're now breathing a sigh of relief.

Nvidia shares have jumped 7.7% in late trading Wednesday on the graphics chip company's strong quarter and impressive guidance. Shares of other plays on artificial intelligence were also rising, setting the stage for a tech rally on Thursday.

In after-hours trading, Advanced Micro Devices was up 2.5%, Intel 0.7% higher, Qualcomm up 1.2%, and memory chip giant Micron up 1.5%.

Broadcom, which among other things make chips used in AI data center networking applications, is up 2.5%. Arista Networks, a networking equipment company widely seen as a play on the AI trend, is up 2.2%. Taiwan Semiconductor, which makes chips for Nvidia, is up 3% in late trading.

The data center service company Super Micro Computer is up 5.2% in late trading, erasing most of a 6.8% decline in Wednesday's regular session.

The Nvidia results are also bolstering shares of the large cloud computing companies, with Amazon up 0.6%, Microsoft 0.3% higher, and Alphabet up 1%. Meta Platforms is up 1.2%.

AI application plays are gaining ground as well, with Palantir up 4.3% after hours and C3.ai up 4.5%.

Synopsys, the chip design software company, also posted results Wednesday afternoon. It specifically called out AI as a driver for its strong January quarter results. Synopsys is up 3% after hours, while shares of rival Cadence Design Systems have rallied 4%.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

AMD (U.S.: Nasdaq)

Intel Corp.

INTC (U.S.: Nasdaq)

Qualcomm Inc.

QCOM (U.S.: Nasdaq)

Micron Technology Inc.

MU (U.S.: Nasdaq)

Broadcom Inc.

AVGO (U.S.: Nasdaq)

Arista Networks Inc.

ANET (U.S.: NYSE)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. ADR

TSM (U.S.: NYSE)

Super Micro Computer Inc.

SMCI (U.S.: Nasdaq)

Demand for future Nvidia products is robust.

On a call with investors and analysts, Nvidia Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said supply for current artificial intelligence graphics processing units is improving and demand is strong.

The executive also said the company expects "our next-generation products to be supply constrained as demand far exceeds supply."

Nvidia’s major next-generation AI chip, the B100, is expected to be released in the coming quarters, according to prior company presentations.

Nvidia shares rose as much as 10% in after-hours trading.

NVIDIA Corp.

NVDA (U.S.: Nasdaq)

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Start-ups and corporations are clamoring for Nvidia’s AI data center chips.

On Wednesday, the chip maker reported January quarter data center revenue of $18.4 billion, up 409% year-over-year. In the year-ago quarter, revenue for that segment was just $3.6 billion.

“Accelerated computing and generative AI have hit the tipping point. Demand is surging worldwide across companies, industries and nations,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in company's press release.

Nvidia said the rise in data center results reflected higher shipments of Nvidia Hopper GPUs used for the training and inference of large language AI models and generative AI applications. Large cloud computing providers accounted for more than half of the data center revenue for the quarter.

Nvidia shares are up 7% following the release.

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Mourning a Transgender Activist at a Cathedral That Once Drew Protests

St. Patrick’s Cathedral was the site of protests over the church’s position on homosexuality and AIDS. On Thursday, it hosted a jubilant funeral for Cecilia Gentili, a former sex worker and actress.

Mourners wearing black suits and red roses carry a wooden coffin down the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Several have their mouths open as they shout. One wears a black cowboy hat.

By Liam Stack

The pews of St. Patrick’s Cathedral were packed on Thursday for an event with no likely precedent in Catholic history: the funeral of Cecilia Gentili, a transgender activist and actress, former sex worker and self-professed atheist whose memorial functioned as both a celebration of her life and an exuberant piece of political theater.

Over 1,000 mourners, several hundred of whom were transgender, arrived in daring outfits — glittery miniskirts and halter tops, fishnet stockings, sumptuous fur stoles and at least one boa sewed from what appeared to be $100 bills. Mass cards and a picture near the altar showed a haloed Ms. Gentili surrounded by the Spanish words for “transvestite,” “whore,” “blessed” and “mother” above the text of Psalm 23.

That St. Patrick’s Cathedral would host the funeral for a high-profile transgender activist, who was well known for her advocacy on behalf of sex workers, transgender people and people living with H.I.V., might come as a surprise to some.

Not much more than a generation ago, at the heights of the AIDS crisis, the cathedral was a flashpoint in conflicts between gay activists and the Catholic Church, whose opposition to homosexuality and condom use enraged the community. The towering neo-Gothic building became the site of headline-grabbing protests in which activists chained themselves to the pews and lay down in the aisles.

The church has softened its tone on those issues in recent years, and New York’s current cardinal, Timothy Dolan, has said the church should be more welcoming of gay people. Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, did not respond to questions about whether the church had been aware of Ms. Gentili’s background when it agreed to host her funeral.

On Wednesday, he said that “if a request comes in for a funeral from a Catholic, the cathedral does its best to accommodate.”

New York City is home to roughly a dozen gay-friendly Catholic parishes , but St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the seat of the archdiocese, is not one of them.

Ceyenne Doroshow, who organized the funeral, said friends of Ms. Gentili — who died on Feb. 6 at 52 — had wanted the service to be at St. Patrick’s because “it is an icon, just like her.” But she added that she had not mentioned that Ms. Gentili was transgender when planning with the church. “I kind of kept it under wraps,” she said.

Ms. Gentili’s death came at a politically fraught time for transgender people, as states across the country restrict their access to health care and public accommodation. Religious groups have played an active role in those efforts, but at the same time Pope Francis has taken steps toward inclusivity, saying last year that transgender people can be baptized, serve as godparents and be witnesses at church weddings.

Mr. Zwilling said he did not know whether or not Ms. Gentili had attended Mass at the cathedral, or if any other transgender people had had their funerals there. But he said that “a funeral is one of the corporal works of mercy,” a part of Catholic teaching that the church has described as “a model for how we should treat all others, as if they were Christ in disguise.”

The priest’s remarks did not address the specifics of Ms. Gentili’s life. As the service began, the priest, the Rev. Edward Dougherty, said it was the largest crowd he had seen since Easter Sunday. That comment drew the first of several rounds of cheers, chants and standing ovations.

At one point, a friend of Ms. Gentili’s took the lectern to pray for access to gender-affirming health care. At another, a mourner upstaged a priest singing “Ave Maria,” changing the lyrics to “Ave Cecilia.” She then danced through the aisles, red scarves twirling around her.

Later in the day, several people who attended a Mass at the cathedral said they were pleased it had hosted Ms. Gentili’s funeral.

Carlos Nunez, 43, who lives in Manhattan and works in customer service, said he thought the funeral was proper.

“Why not?” he said, leaving the cathedral. “Everybody has the right to come to church. Everybody is a child of God.”

Michael Minogue, 67, said he had reconsidered some of his own views after a friend died of AIDS in the 1980s. He said it struck him as benevolent — on the part of the church and mourners alike — that Ms. Gentili had her funeral in the cathedral.

“It signifies a bit more tolerance on both sides,” he said.

Ms. Gentili was an atheist, but her one-woman Off Broadway show, “ Red Ink ,” explored her encounters with the divine in unexpected places. In an interview last fall, she said she had “never had opportunities to experience a faith that was fully embracing of me” as a transgender person but had recently begun attending services again at various churches.

The Rev. James Martin, a well-known Jesuit writer who advocates a more inclusive approach from the church, said it was “wonderful” that St. Patrick’s had agreed to hold Ms. Gentili’s funeral.

“To celebrate the funeral Mass of a transgender woman at St. Patrick’s is a powerful reminder, during Lent, that L.G.B.T.Q. people are as much a part of the church as anyone else,” he said before the service. “I wonder if it would have happened a generation ago.”

At the time, the city’s AIDS crisis had plunged the church’s fraught relations with the city’s gay and transgender community to a new a low.

In the late ’80s, Cardinal John O’Connor, the leader of the archdiocese , barred a gay Catholic group from meeting at their longtime church and said AIDS was spread through “sexual aberrations or drug abuse.” He also said the advice to use condoms to stop the spread of the disease was based on “lies.”

In 1989, more than 4,000 people protested outside St. Patrick’s , and protesters chanted and chained themselves to the pews inside. The police arrested 111 people during the protest, which became a touchstone in the city’s gay history .

The organizers of Ms. Gentili’s funeral said they hoped it would go down as a similarly important moment for the community. And as pallbearers walked Ms. Gentili’s coffin back up the aisle at the end of the service, chants once again echoed through the nave of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

“Cecilia! Cecilia! Cecilia!”

Nate Schweber contributed reporting.

An earlier version of this article misidentified the psalm whose text appeared on mass cards under an image of a haloed Cecilia Gentili. It is Psalm 23, not Psalm 25.

How we handle corrections

Liam Stack is a Times reporter who covers the culture and politics of the New York City region. More about Liam Stack

Global climate summary for January 2024

Temperatures were above average over much of the globe, but the eastern United States, most of Europe and a few other areas were cooler than average. 

There is a 22% chance that 2024 will be the warmest year in NOAA’s 175-year record and a 79% chance that El Niño will transition to neutral conditions by mid-year.

Northern Hemisphere snow cover was near average, but Antarctic sea ice extent was fifth lowest on record for January. 

Global precipitation was nearly record-high in January, following on the heels of a record-wet December. 

Temperature

The January global surface temperature was 2.29°F (1.27°C) above the 20th-century average of 54.0°F (12.2°C), making it the warmest January on record. This was 0.07°F (0.04°C) above the previous record from January 2016. According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Outlook, there is a 22% chance that 2024 will rank as the warmest year on record and a 99% chance that it will rank in the top five.

Combination graphic of a global map of January 2024 temperature anomalies and a bar chart of January temperatures each year from 1850-2024 comapred to average

( map ) Global surface temperatures for January 2024 compared to the 1991-2020 average, showing a few colder-than-average locations (blue) scattered among mostly warmer-than-average temperatures (red). ( graph ) January temperatures each year from 1850-2024 compared to the 20th-century average. It's been several decades since we've had a January that was colder than average (blue bars, below the zero line). January 2024 (final red bar)  was the warmest January on record. Januarys are getting warmer at a rate of 1.09 ˚F (0.61 ˚C) per century. NOAA Climate.gov images, based on data from NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

January saw a record-high monthly global ocean surface temperature for the 10th consecutive month. El Niño conditions that emerged in June 2023 continued into January, but according to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center it is likely that El Niño will transition to ENSO-neutral by April–June 2024 (79% chance), with increasing odds of La Niña developing in June–August 2024 (55% chance).

Temperatures were above average throughout the Arctic, most of northeastern North America, central Russia, southern and western Asia, Africa, South America, eastern and southeastern Asia and Australia. Much of northwestern North America, the central and southern United States, northern and eastern Europe, northeastern Asia and Antarctica experienced near-to- cooler-than-average temperatures during January. Sea surface temperatures were above average across much of the northern, western and equatorial Pacific Ocean, as well as parts of the western Indian Oceans. 

Precipitation

  • The El Niño rainfall anomaly pattern over the central and western Pacific Ocean and Maritime Continent has weakened.
  • Further afield the patterns over the Indian Ocean, Africa and the southern U.S. are more clearly El Niño-like.
  • Overall the pattern correlation between this January’s rainfall anomaly pattern and the El Niño composite plummeted from a high of +0.59 last month to only +0.19.
  • Global total precipitation for this January is nearly a record high following December’s record high for that month of the year.

Global map of January 2024 precipitation patterns

Percent difference from long-term average (1979-present) precipitation in January 2024. Places that were drier than average are brown; places that were wetter than average are green. NOAA Climate.gov map, based on data provided by the Global Precipitation Climatology Project.

The current El Niño continues through January, but the departures from average on the global map show a mixed pattern, with some rainfall excess/deficit features typical of El Niño situations and others differing from the expected pattern . In the central and eastern Pacific along the Intertropical Convergence Zone , there is still a narrow, strong positive anomaly as typical of El Niño, with a rainfall deficit just to the north and south. But just to the west the wide positive feature expected at ~180° longitude at the Equator is weak this month, despite the Niño 3.4 Index being +1.9, easily within strong El Niño range. [The " Niño 3.4 Index " tracks sea surface temperatures in the central-eastern tropical Pacific Ocean: the key ENSO monitoring region ].

The match between this January and the El Niño composite becomes even more fraught over the Maritime Continent to the west where generally very dry conditions are typical of El Niño, but rainfall is in excess over Borneo and Malaysia, although deficit features exist over some surrounding areas, especially between Sumatra and Australia. Australia itself is typically very dry during El Niños, but for this January it is mostly wetter than normal across the continent, and there was even flooding first in Victoria and then heavy rains in northern and northeastern parts of the country later in the month.

Northern South America is mostly dry, as is typical of El Niño, but the rest of the pattern does not match well. The spatial correlation of January’s anomaly pattern with the El Niño composite has plummeted to +0.19 from a high of +0.59 in December, seemingly indicating a weakening of El Niño at core tropical locations. It will be interesting to see if that type of change continues next month, or if this is a temporary change. Models are predicting an end to the El Niño over the next few months. [Read more about what we can expect from the El Niño-Southern Oscillation this spring in Climate.gov's latest ENSO Blog post.]

For a deeper dive on January 2024 climate, including circulation patterns, major events, and separate statistics and rankings for Earth's land and ocean areas, see the full January 2024 monthly report from NOAA NCEI.

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