Do you know the difference between synopsis and summary? Unfortunately, many people don’t, and they use these words interchangeably, which can be a big mistake because they are two very different things. This blog post will discuss the differences between synopsis and summary and give examples. We will also talk about which one is best for your needs.
The definition of synopsis and summary
Synopsis: A synopsis is a brief overview of the plot of a book, film, or other work of fiction. It is usually no more than a few paragraphs long, giving the reader an idea of what to expect from the story.
Summary: A summary is a brief statement or account of the main points of something. It is usually no more than a few sentences long and gives the reader an overview of the story’s main points.
The purpose of synopsis and summary
The purpose of a synopsis is to give the reader an overview of the story and let them know what to expect.
The purpose of a summary is to give the reader an understanding of the main points of something.
How to write a synopsis
Writing a thriller’s synopsis captures the reader’s attention and draws them in immediately. Therefore, you want to give just enough information to make the story enticing, without giving away too much of the plot. In particular, you’ll want to focus on the story’s central conflict and escapist elements.
In terms of the former, your synopsis should make it clear what forces are pitted against each other in the novel. For example, is your protagonist up against an external threat such as a kidnapper or stalker? Or are they battling inner demons, such as addiction or depression? Whatever the case may be, make sure to convey the stakes of the conflict in a way that will get readers hooked.
As for the latter element, thrills, suspense and plot twists need to be weaved into the synopsis to give readers a sense of what they can expect from the book. After all, if your synopsis sounds dull, chances are good that potential readers will move on to something else. Generally, a synopsis for a thriller should be around 1-2 pages long.
Here is an example of a one page synopsis:
In this thrilling synopsis, a young woman’s search for her abducted husband across deep waters quickly becomes a fight for survival. When Jane Doe is taken captive and her husband is killed, she knows she has to find a way out. Escaping her captors, she turns to the only person who can help her-a famous shark hunter known as The Crow. But as they venture into the depths of the ocean in search of answers, they find themselves up against an even greater threat: a massive and deadly shark. With time running out, The Crow and Jane must put aside their differences and work together if they want to make it back alive. Ocean adventures don’t get more pulse-pounding than this!
How to write a summary
To write a summary, you should start by introducing the story’s main points. Then, go into more detail about each point. Finally, you should conclude with a sentence or two about the overall story.
A thriller is best when it’s fast-paced and filled with action, so you’ll want to focus on the most exciting parts of the story. For a summary, start by introducing the characters and setting, then quickly get into the plot. In terms of length, aim for about 300-500 words.
When writing your summary, be sure to include plenty of suspenseful elements to keep readers engaged. One way to do this is by focusing on the stakes—what’s at risk for the characters? Are they in danger? How far will they go to save themselves or others?
Use both the synopsis and the outline as a basis. An outline is a synopsis that goes into more detail (see Blog: Create a Book Outline in 7 Steps). In addition, use descriptive language that brings the scenes to life and makes readers feel like they’re right there alongside the characters.
Here is a brief summary of the major points in a thriller:
Sara’s husband, Brian, a scientist working on a secret government contract, didn’t want to be disturbed. Sara was used to Brian working nights and hadn’t seen him for a week. She knew something was wrong. He had been acting strangely lately. She tried to call him, but there was no answer. Finally, she called his company. When they told her he hadn’t been in for ten days, she feared someone had kidnapped him. She called the police, they told her it was not their problem, and that she should contact the FBI. The FBI said they didn’t have any information on her husband and needed something to follow up on to start an investigation.
Sara decided to investigate on her own. She used Brian’s private computer, managed to break into his email account, and found that he had met someone in Venice, Italy. She called a Canadian friend living in Venice. Her friend hadn’t seen Brian, but promised to find Sara a place to stay and meet her at Venice Marco Polo Airport. Sara booked a flight. When she arrived, her friend met her and helped her get settled. For days, Sara roamed the streets. She could only guess where Brian might be. He loved Italian food, so she visited many Italian restaurants, showing his picture, but no one had seen him.
Someone was following her. Sara had seen the man several times. She’d heard that Italian men were warm and friendly, so she turned around and smiled at him. He froze. An instant later, he was gone. The next day, another man was following her. Sara suspected that the two men had something to do with Brian’s disappearance. As she turned a corner, she looked back and saw a physically fit man with thick eyebrows approaching. He gave her a hard stare, then disappeared through a door. Threatened by the man’s stare, Sara hurried home, worried about her safety. What was she going to do? She couldn’t sleep.
The next day, Brian was found in Rome. Sara received a call from the US embassy. Her husband’s captors had intended to transport him there from Venice, but their small plane had crashed outside the city. Her husband had escaped without serious injuries, made his way to Rome, and taken refuge at the embassy. Sara rushed to reunite with her husband, who promised her he would never keep her in the dark again. Sara, feeling like a new person, vowed she would never distrust him again. They spent a romantic weekend in Rome before returning to the US.
When writing a synopsis vs summary, it is important to remember that a synopsis is a brief overview of the story, while a summary is a more in-depth look at the plot. A synopsis should not give away too much information, as you should only use it to give the reader an idea of the story.
The key differences between a synopsis and a summary
– A synopsis is briefer than a summary, a short description of a story.
– A synopsis focuses on the plot, whereas a summary can include other elements such as characters and setting.
– A synopsis is typically used to give an overview of a story, whereas a summary provides more detail, creating a condensed version of a story.
When to use a synopsis and a summary
You would use a synopsis when you want to give a brief overview of a story, which could be helpful when trying to sell your story to a publisher or agent.
You would use a summary when you want to provide more detail about the story, such as in a book report.
Example of a synopsis and a summary in a nutshell
Synopsis:
After the loss of her father, Emily moves to a small town where she discovers a hidden world of fairies.
Summary:
Emily’s father dies, and she moves to a small town. While exploring the woods, she finds a secret fairy world that changes her life.
Here you can see how both synopsis and summary give information about the story, but the synopsis is shorter and focuses on the main plot points. The summary provides more detail about the story and includes information about the characters and setting.
Conclusion
So, what is the difference between a synopsis and a summary? The critical difference is that a synopsis provides a brief overview of the story, while a summary focuses on one particular section or event. A synopsis should be around 1-3 paragraphs long, while a summary can be anywhere from 1-5 paragraphs long. When deciding which to use, ask yourself whether you want to give readers an idea of the entire story or highlight one part. Whichever one you choose, make sure that it is well-written and accurately reflects the original source material.
If you’re working on your first novel and are looking for more help with your writing, please check out my other articles at https://ullahakanson.com/blog/
Best of luck with your writing!
Ulla