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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How to Write a Thesis Summary

Your thesis summary is the distilled essence of your thesis: a tool to underline the strengths of your research and make yourself recognizable as a competent scholar.

Renata Schiavo

The importance of writing a good thesis summary is often underestimated and it is not too difficult to understand why. Even in the cases where a student has seriously engaged in writing his thesis, the summary is usually the last thing that gets done. The typical scenario is therefore the following: the bulk of the work has finally been done, the deadline to submit the thesis is imminent. Time is running out and, consequently, when it comes to set the summary down, this is written in a very hasty way… I am pretty sure that you can relate to this situation and – trust me – you are not the only one. Yet, this is a pity! Your thesis summary deserves to be written with a certain care for several good reasons. An effective summary is the best way to impress your readers. It will be the first thing to be read and – as hard as it is to admit – the first impression is what really counts. You should therefore think of the summary as a distilled and concentrated essence of your thesis: a tool to underline the strengths of your research and make yourself recognizable as a competent scholar.

thesis-summary

Especially if your thesis is written in another language, setting down an accurate, compelling summary in English can be the first step to internationally disseminate your work. In this regard, keep also in mind that an English summary of your thesis may be required for a job application or a PhD-position. Having said that, how to proceed? Here you are some useful steps to write an effective summary.

Elaborate a thesis statement

The thesis statement . is the most important part. This is a sentence usually placed at the beginning of the summary and it is aimed at clarifying the main research questions of your work. The thesis statement must be clear and concise. MA theses, but also PhD dissertations, usually concern very narrow topics. So, avoid being vague and explain the central idea of your research as specific as possible. Let’s do some practical examples. A sentence like:

“the aim of the present study is to show how English skills can be improved in several ways” is certainly too vague.

Instead, a statement like:

“the aim of the present research is to show how the use of Ludwig can improve English writing skills, by providing reliable texts to get inspiration”

defines a narrower field of research. In addition, as the last example demonstrates, a good thesis statement can be enforced with further arguments.

For example, one could state that:

taking inspiration from a database of 300 million English sentences can indeed help a student to perfect their phrasing, by seeing words in the context of real sentences. A mere automatic correction tool, instead, carries the risk of worsening the student performance, for example by favouring the memorization of wrong phrases and expressions.

ludwig

Explain the structure of the thesis

Each thesis is usually divided into diverse chapters, such as an introduction, a section dedicated to explaining the terminology, a chapter for the methodology, the discussion of the data, the results of the research etc. A good summary must give a clear idea of how you have organized your research step by step. So be very clear and use sentences like “in the first chapter of my thesis I treated”, “while in the second…”, “the analysis of the data has shown that” etc. And, of course, do not hesitate to use Ludwig if you need examples to take inspiration from. Keep in mind, you may have made the discovery of the century… but if you are not able to explain how you achieved such a result, you will be considered a charlatan.

How to write a thesis summary: a practical example

In this regard, it is good practice to read a number of thesis summaries and to analyse how they are written. Nowadays all the most prestigious universities offer free access to their online repositories, where one can find great inspirational models. See, for example, this website by Cambridge University. Now, let's analyse the structure of one of them:

The Italian giallo film was a type of thriller that was produced in huge numbers between the early 1960s and the late 1980s. This thesis contributes to recent scholarly attempts to situate the giallo within its socio-cultural historical context but resists the critical tendency to read these films as passive and transparent reflections of social attitudes in post-war Italy. Rather, I attend concretely to the form of these films and, specifically, to their critically neglected sound designs . I argue that the giallo’s voice tracks were conditioned by the commercial imperatives of Italy’s post-war popular film industry and that these commercial imperatives were in turn shaped by wider social, economic and political phenomena. By theorising the voice as a mediator between the giallo text and its industrial and social contexts, I show that these films both registered and reified social change. Chapter 1 demonstrates that the anonymous narrator of Mario Bava’s The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) adopts a range of sonorous modes throughout the film. Each of these sonorous modes invokes a specific set of intertexts which are vital to tracing both the giallo’s cultural origins and the increasingly globalised socio- cultural landscape from which it emerged. This chapter then shows that Dario Argento’s The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970) uses the model of the cinematic voice-over to explore the subjective experience of urban space in post-war Italy. The film suggests that by 1970 the ability to vocally ‘narrate’ and thus control space had become a fundamental assumption of the modern, cosmopolitan subject. Chapter 2 analyses Lucio Fulci’s Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972) and Sergio Martino’s Torso (1973). Both films draw on longstanding Italian cultural stereotypes to pitch the silence of the rural against the vocality of the urban. The films use silence and the voice as ‘cartographic’ tools to delineate the profound socio-economic divisions between Italy’s rural South and its more urban North, but they also illustrate the giallo’s underlying affinities with its silent cinema ancestors and so challenge the assumed temporal borders between cinematic eras. Chapter 3 argues that Argento’s Tenebrae (1982) and Fulci’s The New York Ripper (1982) variously mimic the vocal aesthetics of television. These films lay bare both the increasing dominance of the Italian cultural landscape by imported commercial television in the 1980s and the neoliberal economic project that underpinned that trend. Ultimately, they question the stability of the nation itself, precisely because the voice — now fractured across a global mediascape — is unable to signal national specificity.

The sentences in bold highlight how the author carefully organized the structure of the text. He started with a well elaborate thesis statement. As you can see, the object of the research is well defined and narrow: the study focuses on Italian thrillers , produced during a specific historical period between the early 1960s and the late 1980s. Moreover, the investigation depeens a specific aspect: the use of sounds in this movie genre. Then, the scholar explains in detail how he organized his work step by step, by summarizing the content of each chapter.

Fotobusta-Non-Si-Sevizia-Un-Paperino-Dont-Torture

Ultimately, we can say that to write a theis summary is a less daunting task than one might imagine at first sight!

Keep in mind why and for whom you are writing

There is a huge difference between writing a summary for the theses database of your university and to write a summary for a more ambitious purpose. As mentioned above, a summary of your thesis may be required for a job application or to get a PhD position. So, if you are facing this kind of situation, you must “use” your summary in a smart way. Are there any points of contact between your thesis and the position you hope to get? If yes which ones? Is it the topic? Or, perhaps, in order to undertake your research, you have used a tool/method/program that could be pertinent with this position? So, tailor your summary in order to highlight what you need to stand out from the crowd and… good luck!

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Q: what is the format for the synopsis of a thesis.

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The synopsis for a thesis is basically the plan for a research project, typically done when pursuing a doctorate. It outlines the focus areas and key components of the research in order to obtain approval for the research.

Here is a listing of the sections that typically are a part of the synopsis. Do check with your guide/supervisor for those that are relevant as per your university or institute's guidelines. We would also suggest speaking with your guide to better understand the specifics to include in each section.

  • Introduction
  • Literature review
  • Methods and methodology
  • Limitations

Once you are ready to write, a good approach would be to draft an initial synopsis, which you may then share with your guide for review. After incorporating their suggestions, you may share the revised synopsis for a final check.

All the best with your thesis and research!

If needed, you may also check out these courses on how to write theses and dissertations:

  • A simple guide on how to write a thesis
  • Understanding the basics of a scientific dissertation

Answered by Editage Insights 2 Aug, 2019

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Better Thesis

  • Getting started
  • Criteria for a problem formulation
  • Find who and what you are looking for
  • Too broad, too narrow, or o.k.?
  • Test your knowledge
  • Lesson 5: Meeting your supervisor
  • Getting started: summary
  • Literature search
  • Searching for articles
  • Searching for Data
  • Databases provided by your library
  • Other useful search tools
  • Free text, truncating and exact phrase
  • Combining search terms – Boolean operators
  • Keep track of your search strategies
  • Problems finding your search terms?
  • Different sources, different evaluations
  • Extract by relevance
  • Lesson 4: Obtaining literature
  • Literature search: summary
  • Research methods
  • Combining qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Collecting data
  • Analysing data
  • Strengths and limitations
  • Explanatory, analytical and experimental studies
  • The Nature of Secondary Data
  • How to Conduct a Systematic Review
  • Directional Policy Research
  • Strategic Policy Research
  • Operational Policy Research
  • Conducting Research Evaluation
  • Research Methods: Summary
  • Project management
  • Project budgeting
  • Data management plan
  • Quality Control
  • Project control
  • Project management: Summary
  • Writing process
  • Title page, abstract, foreword, abbreviations, table of contents
  • Introduction, methods, results
  • Discussion, conclusions, recomendations, references, appendices, layout
  • Use citations correctly
  • Use references correctly
  • Bibliographic software
  • Writing process – summary
  • Getting started /

Lesson 4: Synopsis

In order to clarify your thoughts about the purpose of your thesis and how you plan to reach your research goals, you should prepare a synopsis. A synopsis is a short, systematic outline of your proposed thesis, made in preparation for your first meeting with your supervisor. It serves to ensure that your supervisor gets a clear picture of your proposed project and allows him or her to spot whether there are gaps or things that you have not taken into account.

Your synopsis will work as a kind of protocol for the further steps you need to take to ensure that your thesis reaches the required academic level – and that you finish on time.

Although there are no rigid rules for how a synopsis should look, it must contain:

  • Rationale – should address the gaps/problems/issues observed as part of the background section and thus present the argument/justification for completing the study – as described in the lesson of the same name.
  • Problem  formulation – the problem you aim to address in your thesis,as described in the lesson of the same name.
  • Overall and specific objectives – the actions to be taken in order to address the problem, as described in the lesson of the same name.
  • Method outline: What type of study is best suited to support the actions stated in the specific objectives? What kind of data (qualitative, quantitative) will your study require? What is your geographical study area and who is your target group(s)? Are there ethical considerations you have to make? Etc.
  • Time plan: In the beginning, a rough timeline showing a plan on how your work will be divided over time. When is your deadline for e.g. literature search, potential fieldwork (e.g. interviews and/or questionnaire administration), data analysis, writing and layout? Once your problem formulation and objectives are approved by your supervisor, all details should be added to your time plan.
  • References : Create a short list of the major references on which your rationale is based. Make sure that your in-text citations and reference list are completed correctly, both in support of your subsequent work, but also to demonstrate that you have a serious, scientific and methodical approach to your work. See how to use references correctly in the lesson of the same name in the module: Writing process.

At the beginning of your thesis period, your synopsis will be limited in scope and detail, but as you work your way deeper into your topic and you get a clearer picture of your objectives, methods and references, the more complete and detailed your synopsis will become.

A rule of thumb is that the length of your synopsis can vary from two to five pages, but the precise length and exact requirements of your synopsis can vary from institute to institute and from supervisor to supervisor.

Most study programmes will require that you present a final synopsis before starting data collection. However, the first version of your synopsis for discussion with your supervisor should not be an informal draft. Carefully performed work creates respect and motivation and saves a lot of you and your supervisor’s time.

A good approach from the very beginning is to establish a practice of how to write headings, references, names of species, etc. And be consistent. This will help you save time and importantly, lead to a better overall assessment of your final work.

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Architecture Student Chronicles

Thesis Project

Guide to writing a Synopsis for the Thesis Project

How to write synopsis for a thesis project.

This article would be of great interest to the Final year Architecture students. Writing a Synopsis determines your level of understanding of the chosen topic as your thesis project. We will list out and discuss different steps in which one should proceed with writing a Synopsis.

Thesis Project

Introduction

Objectives and scope and limitations, description of the research work, conclusions/summary of the work, list of case studies.

  • List of references/literature case studies for thesis research work
  • Identification of the project site

Briefly explain the Architectural/technological/social relevance or significance of the research work of your thesis topic. Be precise and include only relevant background material in the introduction. Provide information on past works by way of giving appropriate references.

It should not exceed two pages.

Develop further on the background material provided in the introduction and bring the subject of thesis in the chosen area of research in to focus. Emphasize, based on the content status, the importance of the research problem identified. Should broadly indicate the existing drawbacks and why further research is required to eliminate the drawbacks and find new architectural solutions. Identification of these should be brief and can be out of the scope of the Thesis subject but has to be relevant. You can enumerate those technical challenges one has to address to solve the problems/drawbacks posed herein to place emphasis on the quality of the research work.

I came across a very interesting piece of article on motivation for writing thesis . This reading should be helpful to all.

This should not exceed two pages.

State precisely the questions for which the answers are sought through this thesis work. Define the conceptual, analytical, experimental and/or methodological boundaries within which the exercise will be carried out.

Admit with clarity the limitation of such a research and difficulties involved.

Keeping in mind the limitations and difficulties, identify the precise architecturally relevant area and extent of research that is attempted by you.

Detailed explanations of the drawbacks/problems identified for which you are seeking possible architectural solutions.

Explain in detail how the case studies will help in resolving the drawbacks/problems identified.

Clear the role of literature studies/observations/experiments/questionnaires.

Define with clarity the detailed methodology to be adopted that will lead you towards the Architectural solutions.

Explain in detail how you are specifically equipped to deal with the research and find Architectural solutions.

It should not exceed 10-12 pages.

Highlight major conclusions you are working towards. Clearly bring out not only the generally useful advantages arising out of the work but also the architectural advancement you are seeking through this Thesis work. If there are no conclusions at the moment, then enumerate the possible contributions of the work.

Maximum two pages.

List the probable Case Studies and the relevant areas of study possible in them. Indicate clearly why you have chosen the particular case for study. Make a mention of the ease/difficulty of approach and obtaining information from the case studies. Also give the time frame required for each case study.

It should not exceed one page.

(Also, it is important to know all the factors to be considered for conducting a successful case study .)

List of references/literature studies for thesis research work

List the publications/books you have already identified for your literature study. List only published or accepted books/papers.

Never claim contents of the publications/books as your own. Always give credit where it is due.

Maximum one page.

Identification of Project site

The student has to identify a possible and suitable site for the proposal where the conclusions and solutions can be carried out. The project site may or may not be a live project but should definitely be suitable for the chosen project.

30 thoughts on “Guide to writing a Synopsis for the Thesis Project”

great job…!

dear sir iam a final year architecture student.i am entering 9th semester now.i am supposed to give a synopsis of my thesis project.could you please guide me how to choose topics for my thesis. regards nandheni

hi i am a 9th sem student!!i m completely at my wits end in going ahead with my topic!!althou not a topic my idea is like”to represent space in terms of all 5 elements,’air,water,fire,earth,space(sky)’.which form d very essence of life,present in everything but r disguised!i really dunno how to translate this into a built space!!n wat it l b!can anybody throw some light on this..

Hi Neha This is Arun, i myself am a final year student of architecture and we are also supposed to give synopsis on the thesis topics. and i guess that i am pretty lost. it would be gr8 if u could share in yhing that u have come across regarding the synopsis, how it is done or made.

regards Arun

Hello friends, I hope you have gone through the guidelines for writing the Synopsis. This will definitely be of help to you. Inspite of the guidelines, if you are unable to understand as to what is to be included in your thesis synopsis, you could tell us your topic through our comment section and then we shall have a discussion so that all the readers benefit from it.

Also check out the following link. You will find various articles that will benefit you. Guidelines for a Thesis Project

its so helpful to me,…thanks ..

want to no a certain source to grasp latest architectural updates

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i m architecture final year student i want to take topic related to our cultural in terms of family entertainment but i m confused how to proceed that topic and how to write synopsis for that particular topic plz guide me as i have to submitt ny synopsis on coming tuesday

Hello Farah,

Apologies for the delay in replying. I hope your synopsis writing went well. I can definitely give you feedback and guide you through your thesis project. Do get back in touch and we can discuss your project on the blog.

hi, i’m a final year architecture student. i’m supposed to give my synopsis on the 9th of December. as of now i am planning to do an apparel house( as my school prefers only pure architectural projects at the under graduate level)..kindly suggest a few live case studies in India ..:D regards gayathri.

Hello there,

There is an apparel house in Gurgaon, Haryana.

Such a gr8 help in taking my initial steps towards thesis

I am a architecture 9th semister student and i am working on marble industry thesis ,I have problems in my thesis methodology hope you will guide me

It would be useful if you could post your questions regarding your thesis here so that we can all have a look at it and help you with your thesis.

Hello sir, I m a student of architecture in my final sem. I have choose a juvenile center as my thesis topic. So please sir can u help me out with this. U can mail me on my mail id:[email protected]

Hello,am a student of architecture,I have choose hotel as my thesis topic.really need your help on how to start.

Hello Joshua,

Here is the link to a number of articles on how you could progress with your thesis project. http://architecture-student.com/category/thesis-project/

I am sure this will be useful.

Hi sir I m in my final semester and my topic is institute of game developing and animation. Can you please guide me through.

  • Pingback: Architecture Thesis Synopsis | Great Architecture Fan

hello sir, i have just got into my 9th semester of arch. and wanted to know if you could suggest me some case studies regarding my thesis topic i.e. Hospice care center for terminally ill or cancer patients, in india.anything outside india would also be helpfull for literature study.

Hiii frnds… i m architecture final year student, i have choosed my thesis topic as RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT ..it will be a gr8 help to me if u give the related data which u have

Hi, I’m architecture 9th sem student. We are supposed to give our synopsis so can u elaborate me further about the topic aqua marine park. The factors considered for choosing the site and will it be a big project or I can work in details in time. Please help.

Hello Shashi,

This will be an interesting design topic but the casestudies would be difficult because i dont think we have good marine parks in India. If you are willing to go to Dubai for a casestudy then I am sure this would be a fantastic project.

Hi, I am architecture final year student..hav opted the church as a topic for thesis.. i want to reinterpret the design methadology biblicaly ..can you help with this.. is there any church in india that i can opt for case study

Hi I am currently working on my design project and masters thesis: Fruits Processing plant, with emphasis on integrating environmental and human factors. I would be greatly appreciate any relevant materials that could aid my work. Thank you……..

Hi am a final year student I hv choose my topic as orphanage nd old-age homes combined . Help me to develop my topic Case study regarding this Will this work out

Hello, I’m a currently working on my final year thesis :Event Centre.I will love to get materials that would aid my work.Thank you…..

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how to write synopsis for thesis

How to Write an Outstanding Synopsis for Thesis Project

IPS Thesis Guidance

IPS Thesis Guidance

Writing a synopsis for a PhD thesis is one of the most important and challenging tasks in thesis writing. You cannot mess up the synopsis format for PhD or M.tech project if you want your thesis to be considered. A good synopsis format for Ph.D. or M.Tech project forms the foundation of your entire thesis. The examiners will perceive your thesis based on the synopsis format for PhD or M.tech project that you have followed.

Therefore, the synopsis format for PhD or M.tech project should not only be accurate but also interesting. The examiner should not get bored while reading your synopsis for PhD. With the first sentence only, he or she should develop an interest in reading the entire thesis.

A perfect synopsis format for PhD or M.tech project should have good language, an engaging introduction, substantial information in the body including the methodology and goals of the thesis and a concise conclusion.

Let’s explore these in further detail.

  • Structure and Purpose of the Thesis You have to define the purpose and structure of your thesis in the synopsis for PhD first. What is the goal of your thesis, what was the motivation for you to choose the topic of your thesis, etc should be covered in your synopsis for PhD. The methodology and the expected outcomes should be outlined. The synopsis for PhD or Mtech has to be written in about 1000 words and should clearly outline the various steps and structure of the thesis itself.
  • Introduction that is Engagaing You should have a synopsis format for PhD or M.tech projec t that is compelling and engaging. The moment your examiner reads your introduction, he should be interested to know more about your thesis. The introduction should clearly state the research problem. Give the context of your research, and why your research is relevant in the larger academic landscape with regard to your topic.
  • What is the Goal? Write about the goal of your research. What is the expected outcome, what is the hypothesis, and what is the research question? Define the aim you want to fulfil through your research and how will your research be useful for academia. Along with this, you have to establish a clear path for the subsequent sections of your synopsis for Ph.D. or Mtech.
  • Define Your Methodology The methodology you have chosen has to be clearly defined. Write about the reason why you have chosen that method, and what was your intent behind the methodology chosen. What do you strive to achieve through the chosen methodology and how the particular method is relevant to your research? Your synopsis format for PhD or M.tech project should have an outline of the sampling strategy, the pilot surveys taken if any, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques. You have to clearly justify your methodology with regard to your research topic in your synopsis for Phd.
  • Outcomes and Contributions You have to write about the expected outcome of your research in your synopsis for PhD. What do you expect to get out of the research that you have done? You must have a certain goal in mind when you are thinking about the topic of your research. Your motivation behind the chosen topic and the goal you wish to fulfil has to be defined properly. There has to be something that you wish to contribute to the academic community at large through your research. In your synopsis for PhD write what you wish to contribute, and in what ways will your research be useful for the academic community and society at large. What problem do you wish to resolve with your research?
  • Conclusion The conclusion of the synopsis for PhD has to be clear and concise. You have to summarise the entire synopsis and again reiterate the hypothesis.

Apart from the above-mentioned points you have to seek feedback and proofread the synopsis. Show it to mentors, peers and advisors and see if something can be added or deleted. Finally, edit and finalise your synopsis. A good synopsis format for PhD or M.tech project forms the basis for success in your academic journey.

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how to write synopsis for thesis

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 an excellent thesis conclusion [with examples]

Tips for writing thesis conclusion

Restate the thesis

Review or reiterate key points of your work, explain why your work is relevant, a take-away for the reader, more resources on writing thesis conclusions, frequently asked questions about writing an excellent thesis conclusion, related articles.

At this point in your writing, you have most likely finished your introduction and the body of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper . While this is a reason to celebrate, you should not underestimate the importance of your conclusion. The conclusion is the last thing that your reader will see, so it should be memorable.

A good conclusion will review the key points of the thesis and explain to the reader why the information is relevant, applicable, or related to the world as a whole. Make sure to dedicate enough of your writing time to the conclusion and do not put it off until the very last minute.

This article provides an effective technique for writing a conclusion adapted from Erika Eby’s The College Student's Guide to Writing a Good Research Paper: 101 Easy Tips & Tricks to Make Your Work Stand Out .

While the thesis introduction starts out with broad statements about the topic, and then narrows it down to the thesis statement , a thesis conclusion does the same in the opposite order.

  • Restate the thesis.
  • Review or reiterate key points of your work.
  • Explain why your work is relevant.
  • Include a core take-away message for the reader.

Tip: Don’t just copy and paste your thesis into your conclusion. Restate it in different words.

The best way to start a conclusion is simply by restating the thesis statement. That does not mean just copying and pasting it from the introduction, but putting it into different words.

You will need to change the structure and wording of it to avoid sounding repetitive. Also, be firm in your conclusion just as you were in the introduction. Try to avoid sounding apologetic by using phrases like "This paper has tried to show..."

The conclusion should address all the same parts as the thesis while making it clear that the reader has reached the end. You are telling the reader that your research is finished and what your findings are.

I have argued throughout this work that the point of critical mass for biopolitical immunity occurred during the Romantic period because of that era's unique combination of post-revolutionary politics and innovations in smallpox prevention. In particular, I demonstrated that the French Revolution and the discovery of vaccination in the 1790s triggered a reconsideration of the relationship between bodies and the state.

Tip: Try to reiterate points from your introduction in your thesis conclusion.

The next step is to review the main points of the thesis as a whole. Look back at the body of of your project and make a note of the key ideas. You can reword these ideas the same way you reworded your thesis statement and then incorporate that into the conclusion.

You can also repeat striking quotations or statistics, but do not use more than two. As the conclusion represents your own closing thoughts on the topic , it should mainly consist of your own words.

In addition, conclusions can contain recommendations to the reader or relevant questions that further the thesis. You should ask yourself:

  • What you would ideally like to see your readers do in reaction to your paper?
  • Do you want them to take a certain action or investigate further?
  • Is there a bigger issue that your paper wants to draw attention to?

Also, try to reference your introduction in your conclusion. You have already taken a first step by restating your thesis. Now, check whether there are other key words, phrases or ideas that are mentioned in your introduction that fit into your conclusion. Connecting the introduction to the conclusion in this way will help readers feel satisfied.

I explored how Mary Wollstonecraft, in both her fiction and political writings, envisions an ideal medico-political state, and how other writers like William Wordsworth and Mary Shelley increasingly imagined the body politic literally, as an incorporated political collective made up of bodies whose immunity to political and medical ills was essential to a healthy state.

Tip: Make sure to explain why your thesis is relevant to your field of research.

Although you can encourage readers to question their opinions and reflect on your topic, do not leave loose ends. You should provide a sense of resolution and make sure your conclusion wraps up your argument. Make sure you explain why your thesis is relevant to your field of research and how your research intervenes within, or substantially revises, existing scholarly debates.

This project challenged conventional ideas about the relationship among Romanticism, medicine, and politics by reading the unfolding of Romantic literature and biopolitical immunity as mutual, co-productive processes. In doing so, this thesis revises the ways in which biopolitics has been theorized by insisting on the inherent connections between Romantic literature and the forms of biopower that characterize early modernity.

Tip: If you began your thesis with an anecdote or historical example, you may want to return to that in your conclusion.

End your conclusion with something memorable, such as:

  • a call to action
  • a recommendation
  • a gesture towards future research
  • a brief explanation of how the problem or idea you covered remains relevant

Ultimately, you want readers to feel more informed, or ready to act, as they read your conclusion.

Yet, the Romantic period is only the beginning of modern thought on immunity and biopolitics. Victorian writers, doctors, and politicians upheld the Romantic idea that a "healthy state" was a literal condition that could be achieved by combining politics and medicine, but augmented that idea through legislation and widespread public health measures. While many nineteenth-century efforts to improve citizens' health were successful, the fight against disease ultimately changed course in the twentieth century as global immunological threats such as SARS occupied public consciousness. Indeed, as subsequent public health events make apparent, biopolitical immunity persists as a viable concept for thinking about the relationship between medicine and politics in modernity.

Need more advice? Read our 5 additional tips on how to write a good thesis conclusion.

The conclusion is the last thing that your reader will see, so it should be memorable. To write a great thesis conclusion you should:

The basic content of a conclusion is to review the main points from the paper. This part represents your own closing thoughts on the topic. It should mainly consist of the outcome of the research in your own words.

The length of the conclusion will depend on the length of the whole thesis. Usually, a conclusion should be around 5-7% of the overall word count.

End your conclusion with something memorable, such as a question, warning, or call to action. Depending on the topic, you can also end with a recommendation.

In Open Access: Theses and Dissertations you can find thousands of completed works. Take a look at any of the theses or dissertations for real-life examples of conclusions that were already approved.

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A thesis summary is a highly condensed version of the longer paper. It highlights the main points that have been covered in the paper while concisely describing the content of the thesis. In most cases, the summary of a thesis and the abstract serve the same purpose.

A thesis summary is a succinct and abridged rendition of the lengthier text. It succinctly summarizes the key aspects discussed in the paper and provides a brief overview of the thesis's substance. Typically, the summary of a thesis and the abstract have a similar function. They offer a comprehensive summary of the key aspects of a thesis. Therefore, the summary allows the reader to promptly grasp the primary content of your thesis. This allows them to ascertain their level of interest in your work.

A thesis summary often includes a concise overview of the main points and findings of a thesis.

When requested to provide a summary, you are merely expected to compress the content to its key points. A comprehensive summary of thesis research should encompass only the crucial components. The summary should encapsulate the central concept of the work, as well as the subordinate arguments that may be intertwined with less significant information.

Several learners often mistake a thesis statement summary for an analysis. An analysis is a comprehensive examination and exploration of the methods, concepts, and significance present within the text. However, it is important to note that a summary does not involve providing a response or evaluating the concepts presented in the text. When assessing a paper, you need to summarize its content in order to identify the topics that you will be examining. An analysis cannot be replaced by a summary.

A Ph.D. or master thesis summary should encompass the following elements: A title that closely resembles the one used for your thesis The primary objective of your thesis The primary subject of your thesis The research methodologies employed to collect the data The divisions within your thesis Recommendations, findings, and deductions

In essence, a summary should succinctly convey the author's main points in a clear and organized manner. Hence, meticulously analyse the thesis to ascertain the primary and secondary elements or arguments, and succinctly describe them in a structured fashion.

In order to effectively portray the main argument of the author, it is important to offer a brief summary of the thesis that incorporates both the initial and concluding points made by the author. Therefore, it is imperative that you thoroughly comprehend and rephrase the thesis in a more succinct and abbreviated manner.

Guide to Crafting an Executive Summary for a Thesis

It is possible that you have composed a concise thesis that does not exceed ten pages in length. To write a summary thesis, follow these steps:

  • Provide a concise summary of each paragraph using a single sentence.
  • Provide a concise summary of the entire content in one sentence.
  • The text can be summarized in a single paragraph. This paragraph begins with a concise sentence that captures the main idea of the text. Following this, a series of summary sentences provide an overview of the key points discussed in the book.
  • Revise and reorganize your paragraph to ensure it is succinct and unambiguous.
  • Remove inconsequential and redundant details while incorporating smooth transitions.
  • Ensure that the ultimate summary is comprehensive, logical, and cohesive.

Guide to Composing Summaries of Ph.D. Dissertations and Lengthy Texts

Summarizing a lengthy work such as a Ph.D. thesis necessitates a significant amount of time. The reason for this is that one must engage in reading and comprehending the document before to summarizing it. Below are the steps to construct a concise and comprehensive thesis statement for lengthier academic papers.

  • Analyse the thesis by dividing it into distinct primary segments. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to categorize the paragraphs that centre around a common subject and thereafter enumerate the corroborating arguments for each part.
  • Compose a concise summary for each part, consisting of one or two sentences.
  • Compose a concise summary that encapsulates the entirety of the content. Examine the thesis to locate the topic sentence that will provide guidance.
  • Compose a single paragraph or multiple paragraphs to initiate the overarching summary statement. Subsequently, provide sentences that succinctly encapsulate certain areas.
  • Reorganize and rephrase the paragraphs to make the writing more succinct and understandable, while removing redundant and less significant points. Additionally, ensure that you incorporate transitions throughout your summary.

The ultimate synopsis should encompass the primary corroborating aspects of each notion. Ensure that the final version is logically connected, integrated, and comprehensive.

When is it necessary to include a Summary of Findings in a thesis?

The summary and conclusion thesis fulfils the function of presenting a comprehensive outline of the article. Consequently, pupils are obligated to compose a summary on numerous occasions. Occasionally, an instructor may require students to compose a brief written response following the completion of a reading assignment. In addition, they may be required to provide a summary of their text as a component of their critique or response following the completion of reading a paper.

As part of their research paper writing process, students may choose to include article summaries in their planning or note-taking. The final papers can incorporate these summaries or their components. When composing a research paper, the author can rely on the summary as a point of reference for source materials. A summary allows a writer to succinctly summarize extensive information in order to elucidate and demonstrate the significance of sources that address a related topic.

The opening of a paper can also serve the purpose of summarizing the important topics that will be presented in the body of the text, providing a clear and succinct overview. The optimal length of a summary should be determined by the intricacy and extent of the work. Furthermore, the intended objective of a summary should dictate its length, whether it be a concise few phrases, a brief paragraph, or even multiple paragraphs. It is possible to encounter a thesis summary sample that closely resembles a complete paper.

Characteristics of an Exemplary Summary Thesis Example

When acquiring the skill of composing a summary and conclusion in a thesis, most pupils rely on samples as their guiding references. However, how can you ascertain that you are utilizing an exemplary thesis summary example? These are the desirable attributes to consider:

  • Comprehensiveness : An effective summary should encompass all relevant information. It is necessary to extract and record all significant points from the original paragraph in a concise list. The ideas that should comprise the summary are essential for the advancement of the thesis.
  • Conciseness : An optimal summary should not have any redundancies. Avoid duplicating the same ideas, especially if they have already been reiterated in the primary document. The summary should be concise yet offer a succinct synopsis of the paper. Hence, it is advisable to refrain from restating the central argument and the supporting concepts.
  • Coherence :  An effective summary exhibits logical consistency. It does not resemble a section that has been extracted from the primary document. Furthermore, it is important that the summarized text does not give the impression of being a compilation of disconnected sentences from the original source.
  • Independence : When composing a summary, your task is not to replicate the author's style or content. However, it is anticipated that you will demonstrate your unique style and individuality in the summary. Therefore, it is imperative that you should not simply cite the author of the primary material. Instead, articulate your comprehension of the document using your own language. A summary should be derived from your comprehension and analysis of the primary concepts or arguments presented by the writer. However, a well-crafted summary should avoid distorting or misrepresenting information by include criticisms or opinions.

It is important to emphasize that a strong example of a summary thesis employs a format that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The document includes the objective or aim, findings, and final remarks or suggestions. Furthermore, it incorporates coherent linkages between the provided information without introducing additional data.

To write an exceptional summary, dedicate your efforts to this section subsequent to finalizing your thesis. Ensure that you are directed by the key aspects of your argument. Additionally, utilize a well- crafted executive summary from a thesis sample to provide guidance. The appropriate length of your summary should be determined by its intended function and the overall length of the primary content. After composing the summary, thoroughly review it and remove any mistakes during the process of proofreading and editing . Alternatively, you can request the assistance of our thesis editors to proofread the summary on your behalf.

Access to a wide variety of free tools, research templates, and guidelines can be obtained by visiting our website, which can be found  here . We are always ready to provide you with  comprehensive research guidance  and  project support  in the event that you ever need assistance with writing your research project, review journal, article, or dissertation. At  HAMNIC Solutions , our team of professionals and research experts is always ready to guide you through your research journey.

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How to Write a Synopsis

Last Updated: July 9, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Richard Perkins . Richard Perkins is a Writing Coach, Academic English Coordinator, and the Founder of PLC Learning Center. With over 24 years of education experience, he gives teachers tools to teach writing to students and works with elementary to university level students to become proficient, confident writers. Richard is a fellow at the National Writing Project. As a teacher leader and consultant at California State University Long Beach's Global Education Project, Mr. Perkins creates and presents teacher workshops that integrate the U.N.'s 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the K-12 curriculum. He holds a BA in Communications and TV from The University of Southern California and an MEd from California State University Dominguez Hills. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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 367,249 times.

A synopsis is an in-depth summary of a written work that describes the content of that work from beginning to end. Unlike a summary, which just gives a general overview of a story, a synopsis contains all of the plot details, including the end. Typically, synopses are submitted to publishers or agents after you have written a novel, screenplay, or other long work. A good synopsis will cover the main conflict and the resolution of the story while describing the emotional development of the main character. It is important to edit your synopsis carefully, as it will usually be included as part of a larger proposal.

Outlining Your Synopsis

Step 1 Start the synopsis after you have finished the project.

  • Established authors who have published before may be able to get away with submitting an incomplete book proposal, but most new authors will need a full manuscript.
  • You will need to know how the story ends to write the synopsis, as a synopsis will include the resolution of the story.

Richard Perkins

  • Make sure each of your characters is dynamic, rather than flat. They all need to be well-rounded and capable of change. Additionally, each character should impact the story in a significant way.

Step 3 Sketch out the major plot points in your story.

  • If you wrote a screenplay or play, make a list of what happens in each act. You can write, "Rory enters the warehouse, and a shootout ensues."
  • If you have a collection of short stories or poetry, identify the main themes of each work. For example, you might state, "This collection explores memory, childhood, and innocence."

Step 4 Identify what is unique about your story.

  • Does your story have an interesting point of view? If so, be sure to mention it. You can say, “This story centers around the last dwarf in the underground kingdom.”
  • Does your story have a unique twist? You can mention the twist while still leaving some mystery. For example, you might say, “Jean Paul soon realizes that the murderer may be closer to him than he thinks.”
  • Does your story fulfill a certain niche in the market? You might want to demonstrate who might be interested in this story. For example, you can write, “This memoir explores what it means to be a member of the lost generation.”

Step 5 Research how long the synopsis must be.

  • Novel synopses are usually between two and twelve pages long.
  • Screenplay synopses are usually one page long. Most are no more than 400 words long.

Drafting the Synopsis

Step 1 Write in third person.

  • Most film production companies and some book publishers may ask you to capitalize every letter of a character's name. For example, you would write "JENNA" instead of "Jenna."

Step 2 Introduce your main characters and conflict at the beginning.

  • For example, you might start the paragraph by saying, “When her plane crashes in the isolated reaches of the Amazon rainforest, Laura realizes that to survive, she must first overcome her inner demons.”
  • As you introduce other characters, you should introduce them in relation to the main character. For example, you might write, “Laura is joined by the only other survivor, a mysterious archaeologist named Terry.”

Step 3 Summarize the main events of the plot.

  • Don't go into too much detail about subplots and minor actions. You don't want your synopsis to be confusing, so focus on the main story line.
  • For example, you might write, "After James beats the river monster, he continues on to find the magic crystal. When he locates the cave, he finds it blocked. He agrees to trade his sword to a goblin in exchange for help."

Step 4 End with resolution of the book.

  • You might say, "Jun discovers that Ginny had stolen the diamond. The movie concludes with the police arresting Ginny."

Step 5 Include only necessary information.

  • Don’t include dialogue in your synopsis. Instead, just summarize what the characters said.
  • Refer to minor characters by their role, not by their name. Instead of saying, “Lewis, a saxophonist who Joe encounters one night” you might write, “Joe meets a saxophonist.”

Step 6 Demonstrate character development and emotion.

  • For example, you might write, “Invigorated by her new discovery, Cecilia rushes to contact Horatio, only to be shocked when she learns that he is already dead.”

Step 7 Avoid complimenting your own writing.

  • Do not use phrases like “in one tear jerking scene” or “in a stunning flashback.” Simply describe the scenes as they happen. If you want to describe emotions you're hoping to convey in your work, focus on how your characters react to certain events, not how you expect the reader to react. For example, "When Claire realizes the truth, she becomes disillusioned."
  • Don’t assume what readers will feel. For example, don't say “Readers will gasp as they discover what Lord Melvin has in store for Lady Betty.” Instead, you might write, “As Lady Betty travels through the castle, she slowly realizes Lord Melvin’s intentions.”

Editing Your Synopsis

Step 1 Format your synopsis according to the publisher's guidelines.

  • If you don't have guidelines, you should include your name and the title of your work at the top of every page.
  • Always use one-inch margins when submitting work for publication.

Step 2 Proofread your synopsis.

  • Try reading your entire synopsis out loud to catch any mistakes.
  • You can hire a copyeditor to proofread it for you.

Step 3 Ask someone else to read over it for you.

  • For example, one publishing house may require you to cut down your synopsis to one page. In this case, focus on just the main conflict. Another may ask for four pages. In this one, you can go into more detail.
  • If you do not tailor your synopsis to a publisher, they may not read your submission.

Step 5 Send out your synopsis with a query letter and samples.

  • A query letter should contain a short summary of your work, a brief paragraph explaining your credentials, and a reason why the agent should accept your submission.
  • A sample may include one or two chapters, one act of a screenplay, or one short story out of a collection. In most cases, it will be the first scene or chapter.

Nicholas Sparks

Put time and effort into pitch materials. "Above all, a query letter is a sales pitch and it is the single most important page an unpublished writer will ever write. It's the first impression and will either open the door or close it. It's that important, so don't mess it up. Mine took 17 drafts and two weeks to write."

Sample Synopses

how to write synopsis for thesis

Expert Q&A

Richard Perkins

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  • ↑ https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/a-pocket-guide-to-writing-a-synopsis/
  • ↑ Richard Perkins. Writing Coach & Academic English Coordinator. Expert Interview. 1 September 2021.
  • ↑ https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/assessment/assignment-types/writing-a-synopsis/
  • ↑ https://examples.yourdictionary.com/synopsis-examples.html
  • ↑ https://careertrend.com/how-2079740-format-synopsis.html
  • ↑ https://research.ewu.edu/writers_center_revising_paper
  • ↑ https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-less-obvious-elements-of-an-effective-book-proposal/
  • ↑ https://mitpress.mit.edu/submitting-book-proposal/

About This Article

Richard Perkins

To write a synopsis, start by creating an outline that includes main characters and plot points so that you can cover the narrative arc of the story. Then, in the first paragraph of your synopsis, introduce your main characters and a general summary of the entire plot, like the conflict the main character must overcome. Next, summarize the main events, like obstacles the character faced and how they overcame them, and be sure to write your synopsis in the third person. Finally, leave the reader with a resolution of the story so they know how it ends. To learn how to edit your synopsis using general guidelines, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Conclusion

Published on September 6, 2022 by Tegan George and Shona McCombes. Revised on November 20, 2023.

The conclusion is the very last part of your thesis or dissertation . It should be concise and engaging, leaving your reader with a clear understanding of your main findings, as well as the answer to your research question .

In it, you should:

  • Clearly state the answer to your main research question
  • Summarize and reflect on your research process
  • Make recommendations for future work on your thesis or dissertation topic
  • Show what new knowledge you have contributed to your field
  • Wrap up your thesis or dissertation

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Table of contents

Discussion vs. conclusion, how long should your conclusion be, step 1: answer your research question, step 2: summarize and reflect on your research, step 3: make future recommendations, step 4: emphasize your contributions to your field, step 5: wrap up your thesis or dissertation, full conclusion example, conclusion checklist, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about conclusion sections.

While your conclusion contains similar elements to your discussion section , they are not the same thing.

Your conclusion should be shorter and more general than your discussion. Instead of repeating literature from your literature review , discussing specific research results , or interpreting your data in detail, concentrate on making broad statements that sum up the most important insights of your research.

As a rule of thumb, your conclusion should not introduce new data, interpretations, or arguments.

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Depending on whether you are writing a thesis or dissertation, your length will vary. Generally, a conclusion should make up around 5–7% of your overall word count.

An empirical scientific study will often have a short conclusion, concisely stating the main findings and recommendations for future research. A humanities dissertation topic or systematic review , on the other hand, might require more space to conclude its analysis, tying all the previous sections together in an overall argument.

Your conclusion should begin with the main question that your thesis or dissertation aimed to address. This is your final chance to show that you’ve done what you set out to do, so make sure to formulate a clear, concise answer.

  • Don’t repeat a list of all the results that you already discussed
  • Do synthesize them into a final takeaway that the reader will remember.

An empirical thesis or dissertation conclusion may begin like this:

A case study –based thesis or dissertation conclusion may begin like this:

In the second example, the research aim is not directly restated, but rather added implicitly to the statement. To avoid repeating yourself, it is helpful to reformulate your aims and questions into an overall statement of what you did and how you did it.

Your conclusion is an opportunity to remind your reader why you took the approach you did, what you expected to find, and how well the results matched your expectations.

To avoid repetition , consider writing more reflectively here, rather than just writing a summary of each preceding section. Consider mentioning the effectiveness of your methodology , or perhaps any new questions or unexpected insights that arose in the process.

You can also mention any limitations of your research, but only if you haven’t already included these in the discussion. Don’t dwell on them at length, though—focus on the positives of your work.

  • While x limits the generalizability of the results, this approach provides new insight into y .
  • This research clearly illustrates x , but it also raises the question of y .

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You may already have made a few recommendations for future research in your discussion section, but the conclusion is a good place to elaborate and look ahead, considering the implications of your findings in both theoretical and practical terms.

  • Based on these conclusions, practitioners should consider …
  • To better understand the implications of these results, future studies could address …
  • Further research is needed to determine the causes of/effects of/relationship between …

When making recommendations for further research, be sure not to undermine your own work. Relatedly, while future studies might confirm, build on, or enrich your conclusions, they shouldn’t be required for your argument to feel complete. Your work should stand alone on its own merits.

Just as you should avoid too much self-criticism, you should also avoid exaggerating the applicability of your research. If you’re making recommendations for policy, business, or other practical implementations, it’s generally best to frame them as “shoulds” rather than “musts.” All in all, the purpose of academic research is to inform, explain, and explore—not to demand.

Make sure your reader is left with a strong impression of what your research has contributed to the state of your field.

Some strategies to achieve this include:

  • Returning to your problem statement to explain how your research helps solve the problem
  • Referring back to the literature review and showing how you have addressed a gap in knowledge
  • Discussing how your findings confirm or challenge an existing theory or assumption

Again, avoid simply repeating what you’ve already covered in the discussion in your conclusion. Instead, pick out the most important points and sum them up succinctly, situating your project in a broader context.

The end is near! Once you’ve finished writing your conclusion, it’s time to wrap up your thesis or dissertation with a few final steps:

  • It’s a good idea to write your abstract next, while the research is still fresh in your mind.
  • Next, make sure your reference list is complete and correctly formatted. To speed up the process, you can use our free APA citation generator .
  • Once you’ve added any appendices , you can create a table of contents and title page .
  • Finally, read through the whole document again to make sure your thesis is clearly written and free from language errors. You can proofread it yourself , ask a friend, or consider Scribbr’s proofreading and editing service .

Here is an example of how you can write your conclusion section. Notice how it includes everything mentioned above:

V. Conclusion

The current research aimed to identify acoustic speech characteristics which mark the beginning of an exacerbation in COPD patients.

The central questions for this research were as follows: 1. Which acoustic measures extracted from read speech differ between COPD speakers in stable condition and healthy speakers? 2. In what ways does the speech of COPD patients during an exacerbation differ from speech of COPD patients during stable periods?

All recordings were aligned using a script. Subsequently, they were manually annotated to indicate respiratory actions such as inhaling and exhaling. The recordings of 9 stable COPD patients reading aloud were then compared with the recordings of 5 healthy control subjects reading aloud. The results showed a significant effect of condition on the number of in- and exhalations per syllable, the number of non-linguistic in- and exhalations per syllable, and the ratio of voiced and silence intervals. The number of in- and exhalations per syllable and the number of non-linguistic in- and exhalations per syllable were higher for COPD patients than for healthy controls, which confirmed both hypotheses.

However, the higher ratio of voiced and silence intervals for COPD patients compared to healthy controls was not in line with the hypotheses. This unpredicted result might have been caused by the different reading materials or recording procedures for both groups, or by a difference in reading skills. Moreover, there was a trend regarding the effect of condition on the number of syllables per breath group. The number of syllables per breath group was higher for healthy controls than for COPD patients, which was in line with the hypothesis. There was no effect of condition on pitch, intensity, center of gravity, pitch variability, speaking rate, or articulation rate.

This research has shown that the speech of COPD patients in exacerbation differs from the speech of COPD patients in stable condition. This might have potential for the detection of exacerbations. However, sustained vowels rarely occur in spontaneous speech. Therefore, the last two outcome measures might have greater potential for the detection of beginning exacerbations, but further research on the different outcome measures and their potential for the detection of exacerbations is needed due to the limitations of the current study.

Checklist: Conclusion

I have clearly and concisely answered the main research question .

I have summarized my overall argument or key takeaways.

I have mentioned any important limitations of the research.

I have given relevant recommendations .

I have clearly explained what my research has contributed to my field.

I have  not introduced any new data or arguments.

You've written a great conclusion! Use the other checklists to further improve your dissertation.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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In a thesis or dissertation, the discussion is an in-depth exploration of the results, going into detail about the meaning of your findings and citing relevant sources to put them in context.

The conclusion is more shorter and more general: it concisely answers your main research question and makes recommendations based on your overall findings.

While it may be tempting to present new arguments or evidence in your thesis or disseration conclusion , especially if you have a particularly striking argument you’d like to finish your analysis with, you shouldn’t. Theses and dissertations follow a more formal structure than this.

All your findings and arguments should be presented in the body of the text (more specifically in the discussion section and results section .) The conclusion is meant to summarize and reflect on the evidence and arguments you have already presented, not introduce new ones.

For a stronger dissertation conclusion , avoid including:

  • Important evidence or analysis that wasn’t mentioned in the discussion section and results section
  • Generic concluding phrases (e.g. “In conclusion …”)
  • Weak statements that undermine your argument (e.g., “There are good points on both sides of this issue.”)

Your conclusion should leave the reader with a strong, decisive impression of your work.

The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation shouldn’t take up more than 5–7% of your overall word count.

The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation should include the following:

  • A restatement of your research question
  • A summary of your key arguments and/or results
  • A short discussion of the implications of your research

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.

George, T. & McCombes, S. (2023, November 20). How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Conclusion. Scribbr. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/write-conclusion/

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How to Write a Synopsis in 6 Simple Steps?

  • May 11, 2023
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How to Write a Synopsis

Table of Content

Introduction.

Synopsis writing can be a difficult task, whether it is for an article, project, thesis, or PhD . This is essentially a summary of the main points or arguments in your work, and it is typically used to provide readers with an overview of your project. In this blog, you’ll learn how to write a synopsis , providing tips and answering the questions relating to all the queries from you.  

What is a Synopsis Writing? 

A synopsis writing is a brief summary of your work that highlights the main points and arguments. It is typically written in a structured format and is usually no more than one or two pages in length. This serves as a useful tool for readers who want to quickly understand the key points of your work. 

Why is a Synopsis Writing Important? 

A synopsis writing is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps readers to quickly understand the main points of your work without having to read through the entire document. This is particularly useful in academic or professional settings where time is limited. Secondly, this can be used to convince potential readers, reviewers, or funders of the value of your work. In this way, a well-written synopsis can be the key to securing funding, publication, or other opportunities. 

6 Simple Steps on How to Write a Synopsis for your Research

The process of synopsis writing can vary depending on the type of work you are summarizing. However, there are several key steps on how to write a synopsis that can be followed: 

Step 1: Read through your work carefully, highlighting the main points and arguments. 

Step 2: Identify the key themes or ideas that run throughout your work. 

Step 3: Consider the target audience and tailor you’re writing accordingly. 

Step 4: Write a brief summary of each section of your work, focusing on the main points and arguments. 

Step 5: Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your readers. 

Step 6: Edit your synopsis carefully, checking for accuracy and clarity. 

Best Tips & Tricks for Writing a Synopsis 

Here are some tips on how to write a synopsis perfectly: 

Tip 1: Use a Clear and Concise Writing Style

Using a clear and concise writing style is essential. It should be easy to understand and should not include any unnecessary details. The purpose of a synopsis writing is to provide readers with a summary of your work, so it is important to use language that is straightforward and to the point. Avoid using complex sentences or technical jargon that may be difficult for readers to understand. Instead, use simple language and short, clear sentences to convey your ideas. Remember, the goal is to provide readers with a clear and concise overview of your work, not to impress them with your vocabulary or writing skills. 

Tip 2: Avoid Including Unnecessary Details or Information

Another important tip on how to write a synopsis is to avoid including unnecessary details or information. It should only include the most important points and arguments from your work. It is not necessary to include every detail or piece of information from your work in the synopsis writing . This can make the process longer than necessary and can make it difficult for readers to identify the main points. Instead, focus on summarizing the key ideas, themes, and arguments that are essential to understanding your work. This will help to keep your writing concise and easy to read, while still providing readers with an accurate and informative summary of your work. 

Tip 3: Highlight the Most Important Points and Arguments

Another important tip on how to write a synopsis is to highlight the most important points and arguments. It is essential to focus on the main ideas and arguments that are central to your work. This means that you need to be selective about the information you include in your synopsis writing . Ask yourself, what are the key takeaways from my work? What are the most important findings or conclusions? What are the main themes or arguments? Once you have identified these key points, make sure to highlight them. You can use headings, subheadings, bullet points, or other formatting tools to draw attention to these important ideas. By highlighting the most important points and arguments, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and informative. 

Tip 4: Tailor your Writing According to the Target Audience

It is important to tailor your writing to the target audience. The audience may vary depending on the purpose of your work, such as a grant proposal, academic journal, or book proposal. You should consider who your audience is and what they are looking for. For example, if you are writing a synopsis for a grant proposal, the focus may be on the significance and impact of your research . On the other hand, if you are writing for an academic journal, the focus may be on the methods, results, and implications of your research. Once you have identified your audience and their needs, you can tailor your writing style, tone, and content to meet their expectations. This will help to ensure that your writing is engaging, informative, and relevant to your target audience. 

Tip 5: Use Headings or Subheadings to Help Structure your Synopsis

Using headings or subheadings is another useful tip for structuring your synopsis. Headings and subheadings can help to break up your synopsis into manageable sections and make it easier for readers to follow. They can also help to highlight the main points and arguments in your work. When using headings and subheadings, make sure they are clear and concise, and that they accurately reflect the content of each section. This will help readers to quickly identify the main themes and arguments in your work. Additionally, using headings and subheadings can help you to organize your own thoughts and ideas, making it easier to write and revise. 

In conclusion, writing a synopsis is an important part of the academic and professional writing process . By following the tips and steps outlined in this blog, you can create a clear, concise that highlights the key points of your work and engages your readers.  

Frequently Asked Questions

A synopsis should typically be no more than one or two pages in length. 

A synopsis should include a brief summary of the main points and arguments in your work. 

Consider the level of technical knowledge or familiarity with the subject matter of your target audience and adjust your writing style accordingly. 

Use headings, subheadings, or bullet points to draw attention to the most important information. 

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Guide On How To Write a Thesis Summary In 2023

thesis summary

So, you just found out that you need to write a thesis summary. In most cases, students who encounter this requirement for the first time start to panic. Frankly, not everyone knows what this thesis summary is. And let’s not forget that most students have no clue how to write one. Don’t worry about it too much though.

What is a thesis summary?

Why use a thesis summary, how to write an effective thesis summary in 2023, master thesis summary example.

A thesis summary is a document that summarizes the points of a longer essay, thesis, or dissertation. Readers will often find a summary to be helpful as it offers a succinct overview of the document’s contents. A Thesis Summary should not be confused with an abstract as they both refer to separate documents that serve different purposes.

The steps involved in writing a Thesis Summary depend on what type of thesis you are summarizing. If you’re summarizing a text-based thesis, then your first step should be to read the Thesis and make note of any major key points and conclusions made by the author(s). You then assemble your notes into one coherent paragraph detailing each one of the major key points. Keep in mind that this initial paragraph will serve as an introduction to your Thesis Summary; therefore, it should not contain the thesis’ main points. Once you’ve completed this step, use these Main Points (identified in your thesis) as a guide for writing the body of your document.

If you’re developing a summary thesis that’s math-related, then you’ll first need to take note of the main conclusions. Second, you must determine how these conclusions were reached by noting each step in the proof. Finally, you’ll have to explain why each step is true using logic statements and definitions from the thesis.

These are the two standard ways to write a thesis summary. However, you can also include your insights, opinions, and comments if you choose.

The steps for writing a ‘ Thesis Summary in 2023’ are just about the same as they’ve always been. They’re pretty much set in stone because this is how students have written thesis summaries for decades.

For both types of thesis summaries, you should include a final paragraph that ties everything together with a brief conclusion. This final paragraph should highlight the key points and conclusions made throughout your document as well as offer a brief statement about why these points matter.

Step 1: Read the Text

The very first thing you’ll want to do is read the entire text. When you’re reading, make note of any major key points and conclusions made by the author(s). If you’re summarizing a text-based thesis, then these major points will form the basis for your introduction paragraph. However, don’t include these points in this introduction.

Step 2: Get to Work

After reading the entire document, it’s time to get started! Begin by taking notes on what you’ve learned from the text and organize them into one coherent paragraph. Make sure that this introduction doesn’t contain the thesis’ main points. Next, use these Main Points (identified in your thesis) as a guide for writing the rest of your thesis summary.

Step 3: Proof it Out

If you’re summarizing a math-related thesis, then you’ll first need to take note of the main conclusions and purposes stated within the document. Next, determine how these conclusions were reached by noting each statement or step in the proof. Finally, complete your Thesis Summary by explaining why each step is true using logical statements and definitions from the thesis.

Step 4: Wrap it Up

Once you’ve finished writing the body of your Thesis Summary, include a final paragraph that ties everything together with a brief conclusion. This final paragraph should highlight the key points and conclusions made throughout your document as well as offer a brief statement about why these points matter.

The best reasons to use a thesis summary are that it will both summarize the relevance of the document and add relevance to an argument. If someone is looking for a specific point or conclusion from the original text, then a Thesis Summary provides them with a quick breakdown of what they can find in the document’s introduction.

You should include a thesis summary in your writings when you believe that there may be too many arguments within your writing. It will help you put together the important points from the different arguments into one concise section.

If you’re summarizing a math-related thesis, they will ensure that you proof every step of the proof given in your paper. It will make sure that you do not miss any details.

There are a few key things that you should keep in mind when writing an effective thesis summary.

  • When you’re summarizing a math-related paper, make sure to highlight the main conclusions and how they were arrived at.
  • Tell the reader why these conclusions matter by explaining each one with logical statements and definitions from the original document.
  • Include a brief conclusion paragraph that ties everything together and highlights the key points covered throughout your work.
  • If your thesis is text-based, make sure to include important points throughout the body of your work.
  • Last but not least, remember that you are writing a summary so don’t use big words or complex sentence structures! Your goal is to be understood by anyone who reads it in the future.

This Thesis Summary sample is based on a text-based document. Please note, as far as the format and structure are concerned, there’s not much difference between a summary of a bachelor thesis example, an example of a Ph.D. thesis summary, and a thesis chapter summary from a Master thesis summary.

The introduction to the original document should be written as such:

“In this thesis, we’d like to introduce a new framework for understanding how we learn and teach math. The topic of learning and teaching should be the focus of mathematics education.”

Then, point out the main points and conclusions made throughout the body of your work:

“One conclusion that we’ve drawn from our research is that children’s conceptions should be taken into account when designing an appropriate math curriculum for them.”

“A second conclusion that we’ve drawn from our research is that children are more likely to develop their ideas about math if they are encouraged to think critically.”

Finally, make a brief statement about why these points matter using logical statements and definitions from the thesis:

“These conclusions highlight how important it is to focus on children’s conceptions when designing curricula because if we don’t take them into account, we miss out on our student’s potential.”

“These conclusions also show that we need to emphasize critical thinking as a means for children to develop their ideas about math.”

Now, you’ve successfully written an effective thesis summary! Keep in mind that your goal is to highlight the main points and conclusions of the original document as well as boast about their significance. To make this process easier for you, we hope that our tips come in handy.

You should now have a good idea about what a thesis summary or dissertation summary is, why you should use them, and how to write one.

A thesis summary is an overview of the main points and conclusions made in a text-based document or simply put, a summary of the research paper. A Thesis Summary should be included when you believe there are too many arguments within your writing, or if you’re summarizing math-related papers for proofing purposes. Key things to keep in mind while writing one include highlighting important concepts that were previously mentioned, explaining why these new ideas matter with logical statements and definitions from the original work, and providing a brief conclusion paragraph that ties everything together. If you want thesis help with any part of this process from reading or understanding complex texts to organizing them into coherent paragraphs let us know! Our team of thesis writers will be happy to help you complete your thesis summary!

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Blog • Understanding Publishing

Posted on Sep 12, 2018

How to Write an Incredible Synopsis in 4 Simple Steps

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Savannah Cordova

Savannah is a senior editor with Reedsy and a published writer whose work has appeared on Slate, Kirkus, and BookTrib. Her short fiction has appeared in the Owl Canyon Press anthology, "No Bars and a Dead Battery". 

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 story 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. 

FREE RESOURCE

FREE RESOURCE

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 plot . 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 goals and 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 a narrator who's not the most reliable 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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Guidelines for writing a research project synopsis or protocol


Betkerur J. Guidelines for writing a research project synopsis or protocol. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2008;74:687-690

"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]

ed. London: Pergmon Press; 1994.
ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1983.
ed. New Delhi: 1985.
ed. Churchill Livingstone; 2000.

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HOW TO WRITE AN OUTSTANDING SYNOPSIS FOR THESIS PROJECT

how to write synopsis for thesis

Welcome dear researchers; I want to use this opportunity to bring to your notice on how to write a good synopsis for thesis project. Well the idea of synopsis presentation before the main research work by most of the universities in Nigeria and the world at large was to ensure that a research student has a good background knowledge concerning his/her research project topic.

Before we go into the main topic proper, let us first of all define the term synopsis

SYNOPSIS: synopsis can simply be defined as a brief discussion or summary or a general survey carried out about a particular project topic; be it a thesis, dissertation, or an undergraduate project topic.

        An MSc/MBA research student goes online and pick one or two project topics for thesis; on reaching his/her supervisor, the supervisor demanded for the synopsis for each of the topic he/she has chosen for project or thesis.

Writing a synopsis is nothing so big that a post graduate student cannot do during thesis writing. I will simply break it down with some examples so as to throw more light on the how to write a synopsis for thesis project.

When a MBA/Msc. Research project student wishes to write a synopsis for his/her project topic, he or she must have in mind the following sub-headings.

  • The title of the project topic or thesis project topic
  • The abstract for the research thesis topic for project
  • The need for the project
  • The review of related literature concerning your research topic
  • The materials and method to be adopted

If a research student has the following headings in mind when writing his/her synopsis, then I think the research student is on the right track.

Let us illustrate with the research topic: THE EFFECT OF BUDGET PADDING IN THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY, A TOOL FOR INFLATION

The synopsis for the above topic will follow this format:

The Effect of Budget Padding in the Nigerian Economy, A Tool For Inflation

The abstract should be written in one paragraph. For example:

The study on the Effect of Budget Padding in the Nigerian Economy, a Tool for Inflation came up with the aim to examine the relationship between budget padding and the rate of inflation in Nigeria; other specific objectives of the study include; investigating on the factors affecting the growth of inflation in Nigeria. The study adopted the method of primary data to seek responses from the respondents. The Pearson correlation method was used to validate the hypothesis. Proper recommendations were made to solve any other existing problem in future.

THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT

Here you discuss the importance of this research work. What will the research work achieve at the end?

For example, the research project will be of immense benefit to the federal government of Nigeria and her citizens as it will discuss the relationship between budget padding and the Nigeria economy. The study will also investigate and proffer solution to the factors affecting the economy of Nigeria and the effect of budget padding on the Nigeria economy.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Here you discuss on the previous research done relating to your research project topic.

For example:

(Uniprojectmaterials, 2017) used the method of Pearson correlation to examine the relationship between budget padding and the Nigeria economy. He made some useful recommendations on how to resolve the issue of inflation in Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Here a project student discusses his/her methodology in the following format.

This chapter is designed to describe the procedures adopted in this research. The procedures involve the following: research design, population of the study, sample and sampling techniques, instrumentation, validation of the instrument, administration of the instrument and data analysis techniques.

3.1   Research Design

This study will be employ survey research design to examine the effect of budget padding on the Nigeria economy: a tool for inflation. According to Nworgu (2006), survey research design insurance that a group of people or items is studied by collecting analyzing data from only a few people or items considered to be representative of the entire group. It uses a questionnaire to determine the opinions, preferences, attitudes and perceptions of people about issues that concern them. A survey design is suitable for this research because it is going to make use of a questionnaire to elicit information from the respondents.

3.2   Population of the Study

The population of the study consists of   about 100 respondents were selected based on their knowledge the effect of budget padding on the Nigeria economy: a tool for inflation.

3.3   Sample and Sampling Techniques

A sample of 40 was selected out of the population of 100 as stated above for the purpose of the study.

3.4   Instrumentation

The instrument for this study is questionnaire constructed by the researcher which was drawn from the research questions. The questionnaire was coded.

3.6   Validation of the Instrument

The validation was determined by the expert judgment of the supervisor. The judgment were sought to guarantee that each of the items in the instrument measured what it was supposed to measure. The final draft was adjudged valid by project supervisor.

3.7   Administration of the Instrument

A total of 100 copies of the questionnaire will be administered to the respondents by hand but 45 were returned after the exercise.

3.8   Data Analysis Techniques

Data collectedwill be analyzed using frequency table, percentage and mean score analysis while the Pearson correlation method was used to test the formulated hypothesis using SPSS (statistical package for social sciences)

(Uniprojectmaterials, 2017). Cambridge University, budget padding and the economy of Nigeria.

I believe this will help research project students in writing their synopsis.

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How to Write a Good Topic Sentence? [Steps with Examples]

This is very common in academic writing, sometimes on the identification of the main idea to be focused on by a paragraph. Most students find it hard to write specific and clear topic sentences that sometimes mislead the readers. Being an experienced writer, I have some useful tips for you to write good topic sentences. Just read on, and you can improve your writing capabilities for academic writing with the guidance of WPS AI.

What is a Topic Sentence?

What gives the structure to every paragraph in an academic essay is a topic sentence. It introduces the main idea of the paragraph and thus facilitates the reader's movement through the essay. It is typically located at the beginning of the paragraph and really should specifically state the focus of the paragraph.

A topic sentence can be defined as a short and general summary statement of the main idea in a paragraph. It tells the reader what to expect from the paragraph and keeps the paragraph on track.

Clarity: It should be easy to understand.

Specificity: It focuses on one main idea.

Relevance: It supports the essay's main argument or thesis.

Guidance: It organizes the paragraph and guides the reader.

Focus: It keeps the paragraph on track.

Transition: This links the previous and next paragraphs.

Relationship to the Thesis Statement

Although the thesis statement provides the argument for the whole essay, topic sentences fractionate this argument into sub-points that are discussed in every particular paragraph. This, therefore, helps to ensure that each paragraph supports the overall thesis and a clear structure is maintained in the essay.

How to Write a Topic Sentence in 4 Steps [With Examples]

A topic sentence can help be made much more effective with a clear process for how each paragraph will work together so that it is both organized and effective in your overall essay. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to write a strong topic sentence, with examples and tips for success.

Step 1: Writing an Outline & Identification of the Main Idea

First, make an outline of what the sentence is going to say, and then draft the topic sentence. This helps you not to get sidetracked from your main idea or too wordy about it.

Create an Outline Using WPS AI, you can come up with a comprehensive outline that will give your essay its structure. First, you have to craft a good thesis statement which sums up the purpose and argument of your essay. Next, look for some specific main idea which you will be discussing in each paragraph.

Example Outline:

Thesis Statement: "The rise of remote work changed a lot in terms of productivity, employee satisfaction, and work-life balance."

Paragraph Main Idea: "Through telecommuting, people have been able to increase productivity due to flexible working hours."

WPS AI Function: You can generate visual outlines of what you want to say with WPS AI and keep track of your thoughts. This tool can make sure that all of your ideas are clearly laid out.

Step 2: Write the Topic Sentence

With your outline in place, you can now draft your topic sentence. It needs to be specific, clear, and concise. The language should not be vague, and it must give clear direction to the paragraph.

Topic Sentences: Types

Simple Statement

Definition: A direct statement.

Example: "To this effect, remote work enhances productivity by letting people work where they are most productive."

Definition: A question that introduces what the paragraph is going to talk about.

Example: "How does remote work contribute to improved productivity?"

Definition: It indicates a contrast or difference.

Example: "Unlike traditional office settings, remote work offers unparalleled flexibility that boosts productivity."

Reason and Cause

Definition: It describes the reasons or causes.

Example: "The flexibility in remote work schedules directly leads to higher employee productivity."

Definition: It introduces a list of points.

Example: "Remote work boosts productivity through flexible hours, reduced commuting time, and individually customized workspaces."

WPS AI Function: You can use WPS AI to help you compose and refine topic sentences that are clear and focused on your main ideas.

Step 3: Collect Evidence

After you have composed your topic sentence, brainstorm the evidence, examples, or details you will use to flesh out your main idea. Be sure all supporting details are relevant and directly relate to the topic sentence.

For example, if your topic sentence is that remote work improves productivity, you could use:

Statistics: "According to a 2023 study from Harvard Business Review, remote workers report an increase in productivity of 20%."

Research Studies: "A study by Stanford University showed that remote workers were 13% more productive than their peers working in the office."

Case Studies: "Companies like GitLab and Basecamp have reported significant boosts in productivity as a result of their remote work practices."

WPS AI Function: Using WPS AI, look for relevant data and examples and integrate them to add credibility and depth to the paragraph.

Step 4: Revise & Refine

Finally, refine and revise your topic sentence so that it states what the paragraph contains explicitly and enhances the overall coherence of your essay. Besides that, check clarity and add transitional words if need be to enhance flow.

Example Revision: Original: "Working from home makes me more productive." Revised: "Working from home significantly improves productivity because it provides flexible hours and does not involve any hour-long commutes." WPS AI Function:

Use WPS AI's grammar and style check to perfect your topic sentences so that they are correct and make sense. You can effectively write topic sentences using these steps and the help of WPS AI, which gives your writing clarity and power.

Using WPS to Perfect your Topic Sentence

The easiest and most effective way to write exact and relevant topic sentences is with WPS AI. Here to polish up your writing skills using advanced language capabilities, WPS AI makes sure that clarity and coherence echo through all the lines of your work. Here is how you can use WPS AI to get your topic sentences right:

Checking Grammar and Syntax

WPS AI can assist you in verifying your topic sentences for grammatical, punctuation, and syntactic errors. Clear and error-free language enhances the overall readability of your essays and makes them more credible.

Rephrase Topic Sentence for Clarity

WPS AI will review your topic sentence and suggest rewrites so you can present your intended message more clearly. It can rephrase any awkward language or sections that are ambiguous by creating a revised and more readable version of the sentence.

Automatically Expand/Shorten Topic Sentence

WPS AI can either draw out or shorten your topic sentences so they fit perfectly with what your paragraph requires. This will be very useful, especially in instances where there is an obligation to meet a word count or you would need to compress your topic sentence to a degree.

Sharpen your topic sentences for grammatical correctness, clarity, and details with these advanced features of WPS AI at your beck and call. This way, your write-ups will be more readable, leading to improved quality essays altogether.

What is the difference between a thesis statement and a topic sentence?

The thesis statement tells what the whole paper is about. The topic sentence shows only what the paragraph it is attached to is about.

Where should the topic sentence be placed in a paragraph?

The topic sentence usually is at the very beginning because it immediately introduces the main idea of the paragraph. For stylistic reasons, however, it often occurs in the middle or end.

What should I avoid in a topic sentence?

Paragraphs should not contain vague, over-broad statements or confusing or complicated sentences. Be sure your topic sentence is not just a statement of fact but rather the introduction of an idea to be further developed in the paragraph.

An effective topic sentence is an important part of writing for clarity and conveys an argument to the writer. Just follow these simple steps, and with WPS AI , you shall be guaranteed to generate strong, specific, and engaging topic sentences in a way that maximizes essay quality overall. WPS AI Grammar check, rewriting suggestions, and adjustment of length ensure improvement in your writing efficiency and results.

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how to write synopsis for thesis

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  14. How to Write a Thesis Statement

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  16. How to Write a Synopsis in 6 Simple Steps?

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  22. How to Write an Outstanding Synopsis for Thesis Project

    Research project student wishes to write a synopsis for his/her project topic, he or she must have in mind the following sub-headings. The title of the project topic or thesis project topic. The abstract for the research thesis topic for project. The need for the project. The review of related literature concerning your research topic.

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  24. How to Write a Good Topic Sentence? [Steps with Examples]

    Relationship to the Thesis Statement. Although the thesis statement provides the argument for the whole essay, topic sentences fractionate this argument into sub-points that are discussed in every particular paragraph. This, therefore, helps to ensure that each paragraph supports the overall thesis and a clear structure is maintained in the essay.

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