A synopsis is a summary of a book.Writers are often required to submit a synopsis for their work.There is no single way to write a good synopsis, and it's difficult to condense an entire book down to a few paragraphs or pages.You can take specific steps to produce an impressive synopsis that will grab the attention of readers and make them want to read the rest of the book.
Step 1: The premise should be established.
Although the synopsis is a very brief snapshot of a larger work, you still need to take the time to establish the overall premise of the novel and include any essential information the reader needs to understand the story.Someone is about to read a book.What is important to include?The setting of the novel or the world you have created need to be understood by a reader.Remember, you are trying to draw the reader into the story, so include a few interesting details that help people visualize where and when this is occurring.
Step 2: The conflict is emphasized in the novel.
It can be difficult to decide what to include in a synopsis, but a good rule of thumb is to identify and outline the main conflict in the story.What struggles does the main character face in the book?Do the characters encounter obstacles in the synopsis?What will happen if the main character fails?
Step 3: Show the character development.
It can be difficult to condense a novel's worth of awesome character development into a synopsis, but many literary agents want synopses to demonstrate how the main character changes over the course of the novel.The main characters should be shown how they react to different situations.Even though you don't have a lot of space in the synopsis, you can still provide readers with a sense of who the characters are and how they change over the course of the story.
Step 4: Pick out the plot.
To give a sense of the novel's narrative direction, you will need to outline the plot of your novel in the synopsis.A good place to start is with a brief summary of each chapter.Try to link the summaries together.You won't be able to include all plot details, so try to identify the ones that are critical to understanding the book.Does the ending still make sense without that detail?Leave it out of the synopsis if that is the case.
Step 5: The book's end should be clear.
The synopsis should be clear about the novel's ending and ultimate resolution.How you resolve the conflict in the novel is what literary agents want to know.Don't fret.The synopsis will not be included on the back of the book if your story is published.
Step 6: Take a moment to review your synopsis.
Asking other people to review the synopsis is important.You can make a better synopsis if you get more feedback.If you read your synopsis out loud, you will be better able to notice mistakes and find ways to improve it.When you read aloud, your brain has to process the information in a different way, and you often notice mistakes.Ask friends, family members, or colleagues who haven't read the book yet if they know what you're working on.If the synopsis makes sense to them and draws them into the story, they will be able to provide a more objective view.
Step 7: The important questions should be answered in your synopsis.
Before you submit your synopsis, make sure it gives an answer to the following questions: Who is the central character in the book?What are they looking for?Who is making their search, quest, or journey difficult?What happens?
Step 8: Keep practicing.
Synopses are one of the most difficult pieces to write because they are trying to distill an entire book's worth of material into a few paragraphs.The more you practice writing synopses, the better you will be at this exercise.Try to write synopses for a classic book or write a synopsis of a book you just read.It can be easier to start practicing on a book that you have never read before.
Step 9: Follow the guidelines provided.
If you are working with an agent or a publisher, you should be familiar with their guidelines for the synopsis.You should format it and submit it the way they want it to be.Ask the agent or publisher about length, style, and format.If this is an assignment for a class, make sure you follow the instructions given to you.
Step 10: A summary of the book is required.
Just like a synopsis for a work of fiction, you need to give a brief summary.Explain why the book should be published, and clearly articulate your argument.An argument can be made about why your book is important.
Step 11: The structure of the work needs to be outlined.
If you haven't finished the book, you should be able to give a synopsis of its structure.Give an agent or publisher a good idea of the direction the work is headed with a chapter breakdown with temporary titles for each chapter.A description of 1 to 2 sentences can be included in each chapter.
Step 12: Do you know how your book is different from the competition?
Explain what sets your book apart in the synopsis.Discuss how you bring something new to the table.Does your book offer a new way of thinking about a topic?List the leading authors and publications in the field, and be clear about how your project is original.Explain why you are the best suited to produce this work.
Step 13: Discuss the market for the book.
A publisher will look at your book and try to find a market for it.To discuss where the book fits in to the market, take space in the synopsis.The section of the bookstore you see your book being stocked in should include information.This helps publishers decide how to market the book.Do you think there would be interest in this book?For example, would this be used in specific college courses, or are there events that the book could be linked to and marketed around?
Step 14: You should address the time table.
Many nonfiction books are accepted while still being written, but you should provide a clear time table of your anticipated progress in the synopsis.Give an estimate of when you expect to have a manuscript prepared, and discuss how much is currently completed.
Step 15: Provide more information.
Information about whether you will need illustrations and an estimated word count should be included in the synopsis.It will be easier for a publisher to decide if they want to take the project on if you give them more information about the book's structure and format.
Step 16: Promote your credentials.
Sharing the interesting and unique credentials that helped you write the book will help strengthen your synopsis.While education and training are important things to mention, also think about whether there are parts of your life that publishers and readers will find interesting.
Step 17: Ask for feedback.
Sharing a draft of your synopsis with others can help you improve it and make it more compelling.People can give feedback on a draft.You don't have to be a specialist in the field to find out if a synopsis is interesting and readable.
Step 18: The synopsis should not be written from the perspective of the main character.
The synopsis should not be written from the point of view of your main characters.Synopses are usually written in present tense.For example, instead of writing "I went to the beach house every summer", you should write "Susan travels tothe beach every Summer."
Step 19: Put your words down.
Wordiness is a common mistake in synopses.It can be hard to cut out dialogue and trim down wording, but it will help you create a more readable synopsis.Do the details really matter to the synopsis or can they be left out?If you can give your reader a good idea of what the book is about without those details, you should scrap them.If you include dialogue in the synopsis, make sure it is used to reveal an important turning point or character development and keep it to a minimum.Don't worry about making your prose elaborate.It will take up too much space and you should focus on using precise wording and providing a clear summary of your book.When you re-read your synopsis, ask yourself if there is a clearer or more precise word you could use in place of the one you currently included.
Step 20: Don't introduce secondary characters or reveal too many character details.
The synopsis is not a good place to introduce every character in your book or explore all the details of your characters.Provide enough information to make the characters interesting and to establish how they are related.A few phrases are enough to explain who a character is and where they come from in the synopsis.
Step 21: Do not read or analyze the book's themes.
Do not feel pressured to engage in literary analysis or interpretation of the book's themes or hidden meanings as the synopsis is intended to be a summary or brief overview.The synopsis isn't the right place for this kind of examination.
Step 22: There should be no unanswered or rhetorical questions in the synopsis.
The reader won't be interested in your synopsis if you leave unanswered questions or ask rhetorical questions.Instead of posing the question, your synopsis should give an answer.
Step 23: Don't write a synopsis that is just a plot summary.
You want your synopsis to make readers want to read the whole work.A basic play-by-play of the story will make the reader feel like they are reading a technical manual.Try to give more insight into how the characters feel by injecting more emotion and detail into the synopsis.It is time to take a break and revisit the synopsis if you find yourself writing things such as "this happened, then this happened and finally, this occurred."You don't want the synopsis to be boring.Pretending you are describing the book to your friends in the same way you would describe an exciting movie is a suggestion from some writers.Don't bother with boring or trivial details and focus on the highlights.
Step 24: The synopsis is double space.
Double space the document if the synopsis is longer than one page.It will make it easier for the agent to read.
Step 25: You should include your book's title and name.
It can be hard to remember the title and name of your book when you are rushing to finish it.The upper left-hand corner has to have these details on each page.Make sure the literary agent knows who to contact if they like your synopsis.
Step 26: It's a good idea to use a standard font.
It's best to stick with a standard type such as Times New Roman that is easy to read and open on a variety of devices.If you typed your book in a certain style, stick with the same style for the synopsis.Sample chapters will look like they are part of the same package if you submit them.
Step 27: There are indent paragraphs.
You don't want the synopsis to look like you wrote it in your head.If you want to prevent this from happening, make your synopsis neat and organized.
Step 28: Pay attention to length guidelines.
Depending on the literary agent or publishing company, length requirements of synopses vary.If you are working with an agent or publisher, make sure you follow the guidelines they give you.Some writers suggest starting with a 5 page synopsis and then cutting it down as needed.You should have a 1 page and 3 page synopsis on hand for different length requirements.You should be able to adapt a 1 page or 3 page version even if the length requirements are different.