SYNOPSIS

A synopsis is a concise summary of a narrative work, such as a novel, film, play, or television episode. It is intended to convey the work’s main premise, major characters, setting, central conflict, sequence of key events, and the resolution in a compact form. A synopsis may be used by authors and publishers in submissions, by agents and producers evaluating projects, by libraries in cataloging, and by scholars for quick reference. The term derives from the Greek sunopsis meaning "a view together," from sun, together, and opsis, seeing.

A synopsis can vary in length and detail depending on its purpose. In publishing, a manuscript synopsis typically ranges from one to several pages and should highlight the inciting incident, major turning points, and ending. In film or television, synopses often accompany pitches or press kits and may be tailored for executives, critics, or audiences. A spoiler-free synopsis avoids revealing crucial plot twists, while a detailed synopsis used for archiving or analysis may recount the entire plot.

A synopsis differs from an abstract in scholarly contexts, which emphasizes methods and results rather than narrative arc. It also differs from a brief summary, which may omit minor subplots or character details. Good synopses are neutral in tone, focus on verifiable facts, and avoid interpretive analysis unless explicitly requested.