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
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:
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:
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 settings
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:
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:
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:
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. | |
ISSN (Print): 0378-6323 ISSN (Online): 0973-3922
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Blog • Understanding Publishing
Posted on Sep 12, 2018
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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!
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:
As for the ideal length for this piece, it varies from project to project. Some authors recommend keeping it to 500 words, while others might write thousands. However, the standard range is about one to two single-spaced pages (or two to five double-spaced pages). And if you're interested in knowing how to format the whole of your manuscript for submission, we recommend downloading this manuscript format template.
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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.
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.
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:
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.
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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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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
This synopsis works well because it includes:
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!
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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1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:
If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.
2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.
Example of an analytical thesis statement:
The paper that follows should:
Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:
Example of an argumentative thesis statement:
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If you’re a PhD, Masters by research or Honours student, the Library’s new Graduate Research and Thesis Writing Guide is for you.
Whether you’re just starting out, mid-way through your candidature, or in the final stages of writing your thesis, this new resource provides advice, tips and strategies to enhance your academic writing and develop your skills. Learn how to write for publication in academic journals, produce well-structured literature reviews and how to get started on the main chapters of your thesis.
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Writing a winning thesis or dissertation: guidance for an education graduate student.
Posted on July 31, 2024 on Graduate School , Seahawk Nation
Whether you’re thinking about pursuing an advanced degree in education or are already in such a program, one thing you will need to be prepared for is writing a thesis or dissertation. In most graduate-level education programs, a thesis or dissertation is the culmination of years of challenging work, serving as your own independent research that marks the final step before earning your graduate degree.
If writing a dissertation or thesis sounds like a daunting task, it does not have to be. With a little preparation and some best practices in mind, you can approach writing a thesis or dissertation with confidence.
Before writing a thesis or dissertation, it’s important to understand their general scope and purpose, along with some key differences between a thesis and a dissertation. After all, while there are some similarities between the two, a dissertation and a thesis are not the same thing.
The primary purpose of a thesis or dissertation in an education graduate program is for students to demonstrate what they have learned in their respective programs while applying their own research, theory, analysis and synthesis. Ultimately, the author of a thesis or dissertation should successfully contribute something new to the existing topic. In dissertations specifically, students may also be required to articulate, discuss and defend their research orally in front of professors or other faculty members. This oral defense is not required for a master’s thesis.
When it comes to writing a thesis or a dissertation, the terms “dissertation” and “thesis” are sometimes used interchangeably. That said, it is crucial to understand that these are two different things. Generally, a dissertation is primarily focused on filling a gap in existing literature or extending upon current research regarding a specific topic. The goal is to analyze literature to the point of saturation and determine where there is a need for further research. In a dissertation, a doctoral student will then explain where the problem exists given current research and develop a research study to explore or evaluate the problem, thus filling the gap and contributing meaningfully to the field.
On the other hand, a thesis is more of a presentation of information that’s already out there with no obligation to conduct additional research.
One of the most important aspects of drafting a great thesis or dissertation begins with choosing the right topic. Here, it is paramount to select a topic that not only interests you but is relevant to your future professional goals and aspirations. After all, there’s a good chance you may use your thesis or dissertation as a basis for future work or further research.
In selecting a topic, you will also want to consider current research trends in your field. What is trending in the realm of education and what could you contribute to existing research? There are research gaps or questions that remain unanswered about certain educational topics that could be addressed through your research.
In most graduate programs, you will need to write and present a research proposal before you can really get started on your thesis or dissertation. Most research proposals are reviewed and approved by a professor or other faculty.
A literature review is to discover the research available on your research topic. This review should detail each source you plan to use in your own research with plenty of detail. More specifically, a literature review is a comprehensive summary of the current literature on a given topic that demonstrates the need for additional research to be conducted. Literature reviews comprise a major portion of a proposal, including a summary of each source as it relates to the need for additional research.
Quality is vital when it comes to selecting literature for your research or literature review. Ideally, your literature review should include plenty of recent and reputable sources that come from academic journals, books, articles and even other dissertations.
Once you have a better understanding for what is already out there, you can craft a research proposal that discusses your specific research topic, the current problem, the purpose behind your research, the methodology you plan to use and the relevant literature that further defends a need for your topic to be investigated.
An important part of your research proposal will be your methodology selection, which will explain exactly how you plan to go about your research. For example, will your research be qualitative, quantitative or a mix of both and why? How will the methodology you choose answer your research questions?
After your research proposal is approved, you will have the green light to begin working on your thesis or dissertation. You will receive feedback or thesis guidance from the faculty member who reviewed your proposal. It is important to reflect on the feedback and make revisions as needed.
One of the most helpful things you can do as you get started with your dissertation or thesis is to create an outline. This allows you to develop the most critical aspects of your final project that include your thesis, your main points and other key details to ensure that they flow logically.
For reference, an outline for a dissertation will typically include the following:
In creating an outline, include designated sections for each of your main points with specific research, statistics, or other data to support it. This will ensure that your arguments are made clearly and that your thought process is clear.
Even if writing is not necessarily your strong suit, you will need to be able to put together a cohesive document for your thesis or dissertation. There are some basic strategies worth keeping in mind to help you get started.
First, it can be helpful to write your introduction and conclusion paragraphs last once you have completed all your research. While it might seem counterintuitive to do it this way, it can help set the tone for the rest of your writing. Likewise, this strategy ensures that you include your main points while preparing your readers for the information to come.
Additionally, meet with your advisor or faculty sponsor regularly to gain valuable feedback and keep your project on track.
Whether you are writing a thesis or dissertation, you will need to do a fair amount of your own qualitative or quantitative research. It’s important to understand the various data collection methods available to you, plus the best practices for analyzing and interpreting data.
There are two main types of data collection:
Once you have all the data you need to write your thesis or dissertation, the challenging part is often analyzing and interpreting the data to apply to your own research. The most important thing to keep in mind when looking at hard data is how it relates back to your research and specific research questions.
When working with quantitative data, it can also be helpful to look for specific trends and correlations that you can share in your research.
Once you have completed the first draft of your thesis or dissertation, the process of reviewing, revising and editing your work before submission is important to ensure that the document is free of errors and that it effectively communicates your main points to the reader.
One of the best ways to improve upon the first draft of your dissertation or thesis is through peer review and feedback. By having others read your draft and provide feedback, you can gain some valuable insights into how your arguments are being interpreted. Even if the person you ask to read your draft is not familiar with the subject matter, they can still provide useful feedback on the organization of the information, structure and grammar/spelling.
It may take several rounds of revisions before your dissertation or thesis is approved. Even when you feel like the entire thing is ready to submit, it is important to complete another round of proofreading and editing to be sure that the entire document is polished and in the best shape possible. This includes not just running a basic spell check but taking the time to read your paper word for word.
In most education programs, you will be instructed to use the American Psychological Association (APA) style when writing and formatting your thesis or dissertation. It is important to follow all formatting guidelines here, especially as they relate to citations or references.
In many doctorate programs and some graduate programs, students will also be expected to defend their dissertations in front of other scholars, usually professors or other faculty from the department. This process can be daunting, even for those who know their research well and have crafted thoughtful dissertations.
In preparing for a dissertation defense, it is imperative to craft a presentation that covers the basics of your dissertation topic, how you researched it and what your findings were. Following your presentation, you can expect to be asked questions by those in attendance about your topic and other aspects of your research.
The best way to prepare for a dissertation defense is to practice as much as possible. This way, you will be prepared for the kinds of questions that may be asked, and you will feel a little more confident when completing your defense.
Mock defense sessions can be especially helpful for practicing your presentation and answering questions from a real crowd. Do not hesitate to ask your fellow students or even some trusted professors to practice with you to provide feedback or ask questions.
One of the most difficult aspects of defending a dissertation is often answering questions from the audience. One important tip to keep in mind here is to prepare some answers in advance to some of the questions you think might be asked during your dissertation defense. This way, you will be completely prepared to knock these out of the park.
As you can see, there is a lot that goes into writing a dissertation or thesis as part of your graduate education program. With this dissertation guidance in mind, you will be prepared to craft and even defend your thesis or dissertation with success.
Still looking for the right graduate education program to suit your interests and professional goals? Keiser University is proud to offer a number of advanced degrees in education, including our Master of Science in Education, Teaching and Learning program. If you’re interested in earning your doctorate degree, we also offer a Doctor of Education and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership .
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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.
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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A seasoned writer myself, I have watched so many students struggle to formulate a thesis statement. One sentence really the backbone of your paper has surprisingly been very tricky to perfect. No fears, though! I am here to guide you through the making process, sharing my experience and addressing you to a game-changing tool that will make magic transform your vague notions into thesis statements.
Imagine the thesis statement to be the North Star of your paper. It is the one- or two-sentence declaration boldly announcing your main point or argument. It isn't a summary, but rather a mission statement of sorts for your paper to guide your reader through the twists and turns of your research or analysis.
An excellent thesis statement truly ought to have these elements:
The main idea or argument: This is what will propel the paper forward. It is, in effect, its heart. What are you attempting to prove, explain, or explore? Do not bury the lead—state it up front.
Specificity: Vagueness is the enemy of a good thesis. Get specific! Instead of saying, "Social media is bad," pinpoint exactly how it's detrimental.
Scope: Set the setting of your discussion. Are you dealing with a particular time period, demographic, or another aspect of your topic? Let your reader in on it.
Significance: So what? Why does your argument matter? Explain to your reader why they should care about your topic and your take on it, too.
Structure: Be concise and to the point. Try not to get no more than one or two sentences with real punch.
When all of these elements come together, you get a thesis statement that is not only informative but stimulating and attractive, beckoning your reader towards the rest in a paper.
In academic writing, thesis statements fall under classes depending on the type of essay or paper being written. Knowing them can help in creating an emphatic and fruitful thesis statement.
An argumentative thesis statement does indeed stand strong on a debated issue. This implies that it incorporates the author's position and the reasons, along with evidence supporting that position. This means convincing the reader that this is the right argument, together with supporting rationale and credible resources.
The impact of social media on adolescent mental health is devastating due to the rising cases of cyberbullying and body images that are unachievable. "
On the other hand, the thesis statement for an expository essay aims to explain or describe the topic in a neutral way and is not argumentative. It provides the reader with a clear view of what the essay is going to talk about or analyze since it contains purely factual information, providing insight into the subject matter.
Setting a solid thesis statement doesn't have to be terrifying. Just break it down into three manageable steps:
Step 1: Identify the Topic and the Main Idea
Think of this as laying the groundwork for your thesis—what is the central subject you're going to be exploring, and what is your main point about it?
Example: If your chosen topic is "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Job Employment," then you would say your thesis is that AI will create new and destroy existing jobs.
Step 2: Craft Your Preliminary Thesis Statement
In this step, you'll write your initial draft of the thesis statement. Your reaction to the primary idea should be simple and logically evident.
Example: Original thesis: "Artificial intelligence is likely to create a huge impact in the job market, generating as well as putting people out of jobs at the same time."
Step 3: Revisioning and Refining Your Thesis Statement
Now you're ready to refine your thesis. Add detail, flesh out your language, and make it clear that it encompasses what you discuss in your paper.
WPS AI will give you the best partner in this regard and can help you ensure your writing is error-free, with its grammar check, perfecting word choice through its paraphrasing tool, and even ideating for you regarding argumentation, with an AI-powered writing assistant. WPS AI interface with Grammar check, Paraphrasing and Writing assistant features highlighted.
Using these steps and WPS AI, you can come up with a thesis statement that is clear and concise, yet thought-provoking and engaging enough to set the stage for a well-organized and impactful paper.
Get the Basics in Place, Then Take Your Thesis Statement From Good to Great You are about to submit your thesis statement. Okay, this is where WPS AI really can become the ultimate cheat not that I told you to use it like one. Think of it as your personal writing coach, who'll help you fine-tune your masterwork:
Grammar and Syntax Guru: Even the most seasoned writer may miss typing this or that. A grammar check in WPS is there for your rescue. It will pick up any weird errors and give a professional finish to your thesis.
Length Master: Too long? Too short? WPS AI can help you find that Goldilocks zone. Need a bit more meat? AI writing assistant is happy to assist with suggestions of more details. Want to tighten things up? The paraphrasing tool can help condense your statement while retaining its meaning.
Clarity Champion: Sometimes, even when we know what to say, the words don't quite come out right. Use WPS AI rewriting suggestions to rephrase clunky or unclear language, so that your thesis is clear and your main point comes across clearly.
Think of WPS AI as your copilot to this journey that is the thesis statement. It is here to help you chart your way through the quagmire of linguistic subtleties, rub your prose until it gleams like a beacon of shining wisdom, and come up with a thesis statement sure to draw in the reader and set the tone for a great paper. So go ahead, take the plunge, and watch your thesis statements climb through the roof!
Q1. can a thesis statement be two sentences long.
Although a thesis statement may be two sentences long in certain rare circumstances, it is best for clarity and emphasis to be expressed in one. This way, the reader can quickly ascertain the main argument from the final sentence of your first paragraph.
Ask yourself these questions to help generate a thesis statement:
Step 1: Select your topic: Think of a specific area or issue you want to write about.
Step 2: Formulate your question: Pose a question as related to the topic selected. Asking something that interests you will help in formulating the thesis statement.
Step 3: Formulate your rough answer: Provide a tentative answer to your question. This serves you as the working thesis.
Step 4: Elaborate and clarify: Add specific detail, reason, or qualification to give your thesis statement more specificity. Make sure that it is clear, specific, and directly states how the scope of your paper will follow.
A good thesis statement should be :
Specific: States what clearly will be about or what argument will take place in your paper.
Debatable: It introduces a position that could be argued or disputed.
Insightful: It provides insight into what the scope and purpose of your paper are.
Supported: Evidence and logical reasoning in the paper support this.
A good thesis statement makes sure that there is precision and clarity to guide your readers through the central ideas of your paper.
An effective thesis statement in academic writing serves as one's map, indicating what the main argument is and why it matters. This guide puts a premium on the clarity and specificity with which thesis statements should be written. For that, WPS AI enables you to efficiently create drafts down to the refinement stage, making sure your thesis statement strongly communicates what your paper is about. A good thesis helps you create valid claims, if not vivid arguments for your audience.
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The boys' tv success saved its creator from having to write marvel or dc heroes.
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The boys all but confirms butcher is a supe: season 4, episode 4 twist explained, a chilling the boys season 4 scene just confirmed ryan as homelander's replacement.
If there’s one thing The Boys creator Garth Ennis cannot stand, it’s superheroes. That much has been made clear throughout his career, as Ennis will take any chance he gets to paint superheroes in a negative light, or - at the very least - exclude them from his stories entirely (including those that take place in the Marvel/DC universes). And that’s why The Boys ’ TV success is so significant to Garth Ennis on a personal level, as it saved him from having to write sincere superhero stories.
In an interview with Mark Millar in Millar Time episode 25, Garth Ennis is asked how the immense popularity of Prime Video’s The Boys has impacted his life. Ennis reveals that The Boys ’ popularity completely changed his life, but that it did so by allowing his life to stay the same:
Garth Ennis: They’ve frankly changed my life, or at least allowed me not to have to change my life. They’re going to make big parts of my life much, much easier. You do ask that question at every stage in your life: if I hadn’t gotten this, where would I be? And I do sometimes wonder, would I have ended up having to write superhero comics? Like, regular mainstream ones? So, no, it’s worked out great.
This part of the conversation between Mark Millar and Garth Ennis begins at the timestamp: 1:38:40!
Because of how successful The Boys has become, Garth Ennis doesn’t have to write mainstream superhero comics for a living. With any project he takes, there is a level of understanding between himself, the publisher, and the fans buying the comic that Ennis will be doing things his way, just like he did with The Boys . And while the success of The Boys has made it much easier for Ennis to sell his style without compromise, that’s pretty much always been the case for this particular comic book creator - no matter which comic continuity sandbox he finds himself in.
Hitman , the punisher , & peacemaker, just to name a few.
While, today, publishers and comic book readers are well aware of what’s in store for them when they open any given comic that Garth Ennis has written, that wasn’t always the case. Before The Boys took off the way it has, Ennis was simply another working comic creator who took jobs with the likes of Marvel and DC while also efforting personal projects. However, even as a writer for those more ‘all-ages’ comic book publishers, Ennis never once compromised his unique style.
For instance, DC’s Hitman is about an assassin who only kills superhumans for money (making the main character arguably something of a predecessor to The Boys ’ Billy Butcher). Then, there’s Ennis’ many runs on The Punisher , including the iconic The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe . And Ennis even did a stint on Peacemaker , fleshing out the antihero’s grisly backstory in a way that only he could. These examples prove that, even in mainstream comic universes, Garth Ennis has still maintained his unique style - even before The Boys became so popular.
Now that The Boys has reached an insane level of popularity, fans should look back at some of Ennis’ other mature comic series that are worthy of recognition. While Preacher is an obvious standout (and even got its own level of recognition with AMC’s live-action adaptation), there are also comics like Crossed , Just a Pilgrim , and War Stories , just to name a few. And all of them have one thing in common: Garth Ennis’ uncompromising style - a style that, thanks to The Boys ’ popularity, is able to continue unencumbered.
The thought of Garth Ennis writing a mainstream comic book series centered around a costumed hero is undeniably odd, as even when he was a relatively unknown comic creator, he never wrote those kinds of stories. And now, due to how popular The Boys has become, he’ll never have to, as the success of the Prime Video series saved Garth Ennis from having to write sincere superhero comics.
Source: Millar Time /YouTube
The Boys is a superhero/dark comedy satire series created by Eric Kripke based on the comic series of the same name. Set in a "what-if" world that reveres superheroes as celebrities and gods who experience minimal repercussions for their actions. However, one group of vigilantes headed by a vengeance-obsessed man named Billy Butcher will fight back against these super-charged "heroes" to expose them for what they are.
iQoncept/iStock via Getty Images
My last article on B Riley ( NASDAQ: RILY ) and its whole gamut of securities expressed a very contrarian 'Strong Sell' view to the Seeking Alpha community. I liked reading, engaging and also learning from others in the lively comments section.
From a performance perspective, it looks like the market has adjudged my assessments to be accurate as the stock has fallen 64.35% since:
Performance since Author's Last Update on B Riley (Seeking Alpha, Author's Last Article on B Riley)
I am pleased to report that in addition to getting my assessment in B Riley common stock correct, I was also accurate in outlining the hierarchy of relative performance expectations among all RILY related securities. As I had noted in my last article:
Like last time , my thesis is focused on B. Riley's balance sheet and operating performance at the EBIT level, which occurs before the claims of equity investors, preferred equity investors and debt security investors. Hence, my view is applicable to all the different listed instruments under the RILY umbrella ( RILY ) ( NASDAQ: RILYP ), ( NASDAQ: RILYL ), ( NASDAQ: RILYM ), ( NASDAQ: RILYG ), ( NASDAQ: RILYK ), ( NASDAQ: RILYN ), ( NASDAQ: RILYZ ) and ( NASDAQ: RILYT ). My pecking order is to prefer the securities maturing sooner with a lower yield. Therefore, RILYM, which matures in 2025, is my most preferred pick if I was forced to choose; I believe this has the lowest chances of capital erosion. The common equity shareholder class is my least preferred; I expect the worst returns here. - Author's comments in last B Riley article
Performance of all B Riley Securities since Author's Last Update (TradingView, Author's Analysis)
As can be seen in the performance comparisons above, all RILY securities sharply, validating the 'Strong Sell' view for all. Moreover, the hierarchy preference was also accurate as RILYM (the RILY security with the earliest maturity and lowest yield) outperformed the other longer duration securities.
Once again, I want to make clear that my thesis and views are applicable to not only RILY common stock, but all the other RILY securities as well since my view is primarily based upon the balance sheet and operating performance at the EBIT level, which occurs before the claims of equity investors, preferred equity investors and debt security investors.
Most of the total decline of 64% since my last update occurred in the last couple of days as the stock fell 57% at the start of this week after reporting poor preliminary Q2 FY24 results, which involved a sharp net loss in earnings due mostly to large asset writedowns (discussed later below):
RILY Net Income Before Preferred Shareholders' Claims (Company Filings, Author's Analysis)
As I discuss later, the company's liquidity position has significantly deteriorated, which has forced management to suspend its dividends. The extent of the asset writedowns has only to added to the company and its management's woes; in addition to already receiving subpoenas related to the company's dealings with Brian Kahn (former CEO of one of B Riley's investment holdings - Franchise Group), the SEC is also looking into the adequacy of the company's risk disclosures .
After reviewing a preliminary release of Q2 FY24 results (the full results have not yet been disclosed), I maintain my bearish stance on the stock as I note the following:
Rily trades at a 1x p/b but its net asset value may be deep in the red.
Thank you to Henrik Alex for pointing out an error in my earlier line-item allocation of asset markdowns. This has now been fixed:
As the company has not yet released all its financials yet, I have filled in whatever data is available and utilized a ceteris paribus (all else being equal) assumption in envisioning what B Riley's balance sheet looks like after Q2 FY24:
Assets Position Estimate (Company Filings, Author's Analysis)
The green highlighted cells in the table above indicate numbers that B Riley has reported. The yellow-highlighted numbers indicate line items to which I have allocated the asset write-downs and assumed no other sequential change. The remaining numbers for the quarter ended June 2024 are assumed to have no sequential change.
B Riley reported a $350 million (mid-point) non-cash markdown in some investments:
B Riley Q2 FY24 Preliminary Results Report (Company Filings, Author's Highlights)
As we do not know the split between the markdown in receivables and investments, I have clubbed these 2 figures together and marked down the midpoint $350mn worth of value from the "Receivables and Investments" line item. In addition, I have included a $28 million of goodwill impairment in Targus ; there is no ambiguity in allocation here as management too referred to this as a goodwill impairment.
Overall, this has resulted in a 5.9% markdown in goodwill. Now, in my previous articles on B Riley, I have consistently argued for excluding goodwill in assessment of balance sheet value. For example in my last note on the stock, I said:
In a forced sale of asset situation, I believe goodwill is not a reliable source of value, particularly since the company has started to have impairments of its goodwill in recent quarters. - Author's stated view on goodwill treatment in value assessment
And in my preliminary note on the stock, I said:
I have excluded goodwill as it is a balancing figure to reflect the premiums paid on acquisitions. In an asset sale scenario, I posit that goodwill is an unreliable source of value, particularly when the core business has negative earnings. - Author's stated view on goodwill treatment in value assessment
This treatment of goodwill in B Riley's value appraisal has been a point of contention in the comments discussion of my articles before. However, I believe the goodwill impairments in Q2 FY24 provides more credence to my approach to goodwill in this case. I would not be surprised if there are further goodwill markdowns, particularly in a forced sale of assets.
Also noteworthily, B Riley incurred a $25 million charge related to valuation allowance for deferred income taxes (i.e. due to falling asset values, they expect lower deferred income tax benefits). I have allocated this to the "Other Long Term Assets" line item. Doing this results in a 50% sequential drop in asset value for this line item, assuming all else is equal.
Cash, receivables and short term investments have eroded over the last couple of quarters. As of Q2 FY24, the short term liquidity stands at a mere $1.1 billion:
Cash, Receivables and Investments (USD bn) (Company Filings, Author's Analysis)
Overall, the combination of the fall in cash and short term investments liquidity and asset writedowns has eroded 7.1% of the company's asset value, all else being equal. Hence, it is clear that the balance sheet health has gotten worse.
Today, RILY trades at book value:
RILY P/B (Capital IQ, Author's Analysis)
However, after plugging in the known total debt values of $2,160 million and assuming all else is equal vs last quarter for the liabilities side of the balance sheet too, I estimate net asset values to be deep in the red; regardless of whether or not goodwill is counted in the calculation:
Net Asset Value Metrics (USD mn) (Company Filings, Author's Analysis)
This indicates to me potential for a continued mispricing (overvaluation) in the stock. Note however that the book value used in this calculation may still be based on Q1 FY24's figures. I am awaiting the release of the company's pending fully updated financials will make the valuation assessment clearer.
Excluding the $403 million in asset writedowns, B Riley's normalized net income before the claims of preferred shareholders is still a loss of $52 million. This combination of normalized loss-making operations, a dwindling liquidity position and a likely negative net asset value position in the balance sheet does not bode well for the company. It is under these circumstances that firms get closer to bankruptcy.
When the company releases its full-year results, I would be especially interested in updating my calculations of core operating earnings. This is a an earnings metric I use that excludes the impact of volatile mark-to-market P&L earnings. I have discussed the computation and rationale for this at length in my initiating coverage of B Riley .
I am also keeping track of the short interest in the stock, which has risen over the past month and a bit from the high 20% levels to almost 41% now:
Short Interest as % of Shares Outstanding (Capital IQ, Author's Analysis)
The stock borrow fees for short positions are also very high currently at 152% annualized . Due to this, I believe short positions in the stock are risky as they may be susceptible to a temporary short squeeze.
My earlier, 'Strong Sell' stance on B Riley common stock and all its other security classes has worked out quite well as the stock has seen a massive 64% fall since my last update. The other security classes also have seen large erosions of value of at least 20%. Altogether, B Riley's securities have also all moved in tandem with my relative performance expectations, with the most defensive performance coming from the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025 ( RILYM ).
The preliminary Q2 FY24 results release has exposed large asset write-downs which I believe has resulted in a total assets markdown of 7.1%, all else being equal. Goodwill too had an impairment of 6% and I would not be surprised by further impairments, particularly if there is any forced selling. I believe this gives some credence to my prior treatment of goodwill wherein I excluded it due to my belief that it was not a reliable source of value given negative core earnings and a negative net asset value, which has significantly worsened. Yet, the common stock today still trades at close to 1.0x P/B, which I believe may indicate mispricing. However, the release of fully updated financials will make this clearer.
According to my calculations, B Riley's normalized earnings before the claims of preferred shareholders is still negative. I believe this, combined with the weak balance sheet position and reduced cash and short term investment liquidity increases the chance of cash bleed and asset value erosion. Upon release of complete Q2 FY24 financials, I will be monitoring my measure of core operating earnings to better assess the company's interest coverage and debt coverage ratios.
From a market sentiment perspective, the short interest in the stock now stands at an elevated 41%. The annual stock borrow fees for short positions is also very high at 152%. I believe this increases the risks of a short squeeze as it indicates a bit of crowdedness in the shorts. Hence, I am not adopting any active short position in B Riley nor any of its other security classes.
All in all, I maintain a bearish stance with a 'Sell' rating on B Riley common stock and all of its other security classes as well.
Strong Buy: Expect the company to outperform the S&P500 on a total shareholder return basis, with higher than usual confidence. I also have a net long position in the security in my personal portfolio.
Buy: Expect the company to outperform the S&P500 on a total shareholder return basis
Neutral/hold: Expect the company to perform in-line with the S&P500 on a total shareholder return basis
Sell: Expect the company to underperform the S&P500 on a total shareholder return basis
Strong Sell: Expect the company to underperform the S&P500 on a total shareholder return basis, with higher than usual confidence
The typical time-horizon for my views is multiple quarters to around a year. It is not set in stone. However, I will share updates on my changes in stance in a pinned comment to this article and may also publish a new article discussing the reasons for the change in view.
This article was written by
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
About rily stock.
Symbol | Last Price | % Chg |
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Symbol | Last Price | % Chg |
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RILY | - | - |
RILYZ | - | - |
RILYL | - | - |
RILYG | - | - |
RILYP | - | - |
RILYN | - | - |
RILYM | - | - |
RILYT | - | - |
RILYK | - | - |
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
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.
1. Format your title page following your instructor's guidelines. In general, the title page of a research synopsis includes the title of the research project, your name, the degree and discipline for which you're writing the synopsis, and the names of your supervisor, department, institution, and university.
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 ...
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.
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 ...
Writing a Synopsis. 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 ...
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.
This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline. Tip You can find a thesis and dissertation outline template below, as well as a chapter outline example, and example sentences ...
Step 1: Start with a question. You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis, early in the writing process. As soon as you've decided on your essay topic, you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.
The process of writing an outstanding synopsis for your thesis project is essential as it serves as a concise overview of your Research Proposal Format For Ph.D., highlighting its significance and ...
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.
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. Organize your papers in one place. Try Paperpile.
Significance: - Explain why your research is important for the field and how it can be useful. 11. Timeline: - Give a rough idea of how long each phase of your research will take. 12. References: - List the books, articles, and sources you've used for your synopsis. Remember, keep it clear and simple.
tables, etc.) for writing the Synopsis is the same as that for the thesis. Please consult the "Guidelines for Preparation of Thesis / Dissertation/Reports" for IIT Ropar for reference. 2. The length of a synopsis for the Ph.D. Thesis should normally be 1000 to 4000 words, including tables and figures. The Synopsis should be on A4 size paper. 3.
Just like a full-length article, the introduction of your synopsis should hook the reader and make them want to continue reading. This can be done by using a surprising statistic, an interesting anecdote, or a thought-provoking quote. Whatever method you choose, make sure that it grabs the reader's attention.
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.
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.
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.
How to write a novel synopsis in 4 steps. 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 ...
An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.; An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.; An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an ...
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SYNOPSIS AND THESIS WRITING. Following points should be considered in preparing and wri ng a graduate synopsis and thesis. Be brief, accurate and to the point. Avoid repe on or duplica on of ideas. Spare and allow enough me for wri ng. Use a simple, direct style which is condensed, but not so condensed as to be cryp c ...
The authority on APA Style and the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual. Find tutorials, the APA Style Blog, how to format papers in APA Style, and other resources to help you improve your writing, master APA Style, and learn the conventions of scholarly publishing.
If you're a PhD, Masters by research or Honours student, the Library's new Graduate Research and Thesis Writing Guide is for you.. Whether you're just starting out, mid-way through your candidature, or in the final stages of writing your thesis, this new resource provides advice, tips and strategies to enhance your academic writing and develop your skills.
When it comes to writing a thesis or a dissertation, the terms "dissertation" and "thesis" are sometimes used interchangeably. That said, it is crucial to understand that these are two different things. ... Literature reviews comprise a major portion of a proposal, including a summary of each source as it relates to the need for ...
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.
Types of Thesis Statements. In academic writing, thesis statements fall under classes depending on the type of essay or paper being written. Knowing them can help in creating an emphatic and fruitful thesis statement. Argumentative Essay. Argumentative Essay. An argumentative thesis statement does indeed stand strong on a debated issue.
The success of The Boys has allowed Garth Ennis to maintain his unique style without compromising in mainstream superhero comics.; Ennis, known for works like The Punisher and Hitman, has always stayed true to his gritty, mature storytelling, even before the popularity of The Boys.; Fans of The Boys should also explore Ennis' other mature comic series like Preacher, Crossed, and War Stories ...
Accordingly, Vought was tapped to write Project 2025's chapter on transforming the Executive Office of the Presidency, which laid out his vision for consolidating power in political appointees ...
Like last time, my thesis is focused on B. Riley's balance sheet and operating performance at the EBIT level, which occurs before the claims of equity investors, preferred equity investors and ...
Strategies for Organizing and Writing the MSR • Collect medical records after releases of information are signed • Go through medical records and organize in chronological order • Set aside blocks of time to begin writing the report with no interruptions • Sit down with all information -- medical records, intake