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. "
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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. | |
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A research summary is a type of paper designed to provide a brief overview of a given study - typically, an article from a peer-reviewed academic journal. It is a frequent type of task encountered in US colleges and universities, both in humanitarian and exact sciences, which is due to how important it is to teach students to properly interact with and interpret scientific literature and in particular, academic papers, which are the key way through which new ideas, theories, and evidence are presented to experts in many fields of knowledge. A research summary typically preserves the structure/sections of the article it focuses on. Get the grades you want with our professional research paper helper .
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The research summary format resembles that found in the original paper (just a concise version of it). Content from all sections should be covered and reflected upon, regardless of whether corresponding headings are present or not. Key structural elements of any research summary are as follows:
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Below is a checklist of useful research paper tips worth considering when writing research summaries:
For additional information on formatting, structure, and for more writing tips, check out these research paper guidelines on our website. Remember that we cover most research papers writing services you can imagine and can offer help at various stages of your writing project, including proofreading, editing, rewriting for plagiarism elimination, and style adjustment.
Below are some defining elements of a sample research summary written from an imaginary article.
Title – “The probability of an unexpected volcanic eruption in Yellowstone” Introduction – this section would list those catastrophic consequences hitting our country in case of a massive eruption and the importance of analyzing this matter. Hypothesis – An eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano would be preceded by intense precursory activity manifesting a few weeks up to a few years in advance. Results – these could contain a report of statistical data from multiple volcanic eruptions happening worldwide looking specifically at activity that preceded these events (in particular, how early each type of activity was detected). Discussion and conclusion – Given that Yellowstone is continuously monitored by scientists and that signs of an eruption are normally detected much in advance and at least a few days in advance, the hypothesis is confirmed. This could find application in creating emergency plans detailing an organized evacuation campaign and other response measures.
Below is another sample sketch, also from an imaginary article.
Title – “The frequency of extreme weather events in US in 2000-2008 as compared to the ‘50s” Introduction – Weather events bring immense material damage and cause human victims. Hypothesis – Extreme weather events are significantly more frequent nowadays than in the ‘50s Results – these could list the frequency of several categories of extreme events now and then: droughts and associated fires, massive rainfall/snowfall and associated floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, arctic cold waves, etc. Discussion and conclusion – Several types of extreme events indeed became significantly more frequent recently, confirming this hypothesis. This increasing frequency correlates reliably with rising CO2 levels in atmosphere and growing temperatures worldwide and in the absence of another recent major global change that could explain a higher frequency of disasters but also knowing how growing temperature disturbs weather patterns, it is natural to assume that global warming (CO2) causes this increase in frequency. This, in turn, suggests that this increased frequency of disasters is not a short-term phenomenon but is here to stay until we address CO2 levels.
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Writing a research summary has its challenges, but becoming familiar with its structure (i.e. the structure of an article), understanding well the article that needs to be summarized, and adhering to recommended guidelines will help the process go smoothly.
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Have you ever been tasked with writing a synopsis of an article and had no idea where to begin? Don't worry, you're not alone. A synopsis is a brief summary of an article, and can be an essential tool when trying to convey the main points of a lengthy piece of writing. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps of creating a strong synopsis that effectively communicates the article's key takeaways.
Before we dive into the specifics of writing a synopsis, it's important to first understand why they are so important. Synopses serve as a quick reference for busy readers who are unable to read the entire article. They also help to clarify the article's purpose and make it easier to analyze the author's arguments.
When it comes to reading articles or research papers, time is of the essence. Many readers are looking for specific information and don't have the luxury of reading an entire article from start to finish. This is where a synopsis comes in handy. It provides a brief overview of the article's main points, allowing readers to quickly determine whether or not the article is worth their time.
Synopses provide a concise summary of an article's main points, making it easier for readers to quickly grasp the author's intended message. They are also useful for researchers who are looking for specific information, as a synopsis can help them determine whether or not an article is relevant to their needs.
Moreover, synopses are essential for professionals who are constantly on the go. Business executives, for instance, may not have the time to read an entire report, but they need to be informed about the key takeaways. A synopsis provides them with a quick and easy way to get up to speed.
There are several different types of synopses, each catering to a different audience. For example, an executive summary is a type of synopsis that is aimed at business professionals, while an abstract is a synopsis that is typically used in academic writing. Regardless of the type of synopsis that you are writing, the same basic principles apply.
One type of synopsis that is gaining popularity is the social media synopsis. With the rise of social media, many readers are looking for bite-sized pieces of information that they can easily share with their followers. A social media synopsis provides a concise summary of an article's main points, making it easy for readers to share the information with their network.
In conclusion, synopses are an essential part of effective communication. They provide readers with a quick and easy way to understand an article's main points, making it easier for them to determine whether or not the article is relevant to their needs. By understanding the purpose and importance of synopses, you can create effective summaries that will engage and inform your readers.
Now that we've covered the importance of synopses, let's dive into the steps involved in creating one.
Before you can begin writing your synopsis, you need to thoroughly read the article that you are summarizing. It's important to understand the author's intended message and the supporting arguments that are used to make that message. Take notes as you read, highlighting key points and information that will be useful when writing your synopsis.
Once you've read the article, you need to identify the main points and arguments that the author is making. These will typically be found in the introduction and conclusion of the article, but you may also find them throughout the body of the text. It's important to identify all of the main points so that you can ensure that your synopsis accurately represents the author's message.
In addition to identifying the main points, you should also take notes on the article's structure. This includes identifying subheadings and sections, as well as any transitions or supporting evidence that the author uses. By organizing your notes in this way, you can ensure that your synopsis accurately reflects the structure of the original article.
Now that you've prepared for writing your synopsis, it's time to dive into actually writing it. The beginning is a crucial aspect of your synopsis, as it sets the tone for the rest of the summary.
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.
After you've hooked the reader, it's important to provide context for the article. This means introducing the topic and purpose of the original article, as well as the main arguments that the author makes. By providing this information up front, you can ensure that the reader has a basic understanding of the article's message before diving deeper into the details.
Finally, it's important to provide context and background information for the article. This may include information on the author, the publication where the article appeared, and any relevant historical or societal context that helps to explain the article's message.
Once you've written a strong introduction for your synopsis, it's time to dive into the details. This is where you'll summarize the article's main points in a clear and concise manner.
When summarizing the article, it's important to be concise and clear. Use your notes from the article to identify the main points and supporting arguments, and present them in a way that accurately represents the original author's message. Avoid using lengthy quotes or unnecessarily wordy descriptions, as this can detract from the clarity of your summary.
While it's important to accurately represent the author's message, it's also important to use your own words when summarizing the article. This means avoiding copying entire sections of the article word for word, and instead rephrasing the author's arguments in a way that is both accurate and concise.
Finally, it's important to maintain the tone and style of the original article when writing your synopsis. This means using the same type of language, voice, and style as the author, so that the reader can get a sense of the author's intended message.
Use the following prompt in an AI chatbot . Below each prompt, be sure to provide additional details about your situation. These could be scratch notes, what you'd like to say or anything else that guides the AI model to write a certain way.
Please compose a concise and thorough summary of a written piece, including all relevant information and main points, in order to provide a clear understanding of the article's content.
[ADD ADDITIONAL CONTEXT. CAN USE BULLET POINTS.]
In conclusion, writing a synopsis of an article may seem like a daunting task, but by following these simple steps, you can create a summary that accurately represents the author's message and purpose. Remember to thoroughly read the article, identify the main points and arguments, and present them in a concise and clear manner. By doing so, you can create a synopsis that effectively communicates the article's key takeaways, and ensures that your readers are able to quickly and easily understand the author's intended message.
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Home » Blog » How to Write a Good Research Project Synopsis or Proposal
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Final year research project is initiated with the development of project proposal. For new researchers and scholars, this is first step to begin the research work. Research proposal is a blueprint of the researcher’s idea. The length of this document ranges between 500 to 1000 words. But we cannot draw any hard and fast rule on this. It is subjective decision depending on the nature of area and level of research activity.
For the undergraduate degree research proposal may requires less than 1000 words. On the other hand, for the PhD level it may extends to the range of 1000 to 3000 words. Whenever student is registered for higher education degree program, research proposal is required during or at the end of the program.
For PhD degree it is sometime required even before the registration and considered as one of the admissions prerequisite. Research proposal is a formal agreement between the institution and researcher on some per-defined terms and conditions. These terms and conditions provide directions and mutual understanding between two parties during research process. There are number of websites and books which explain the details about these areas of mutual consent.
It is pertinent to note that Synopsis and research proposal are used side by side. Synopsis of research, the synopsis of a novel, and the synopsis of a movie etc. are summaries or outlines of researcher’s work. It is always good to write these outlines in advance, but many writers develop synopsis in the end. Proposals on the other hand, has both summary and feasibility. It is better to use the word outlines instead of summary when we write proposals. Another synonym is Abstract. This should be understood as similar to the synopsis but lesser in the length. It is a concise paragraph or a summary of the synopsis. Likewise Synopsis or Abstract should not be confused with the Executive summary. It is more inclined towards business reports. Executive summary is the mini form of the entire report or thesis. This is normally written when we have finished with our work and compiling it into final shape. Executive summary is placed before the content page and after the title. Young researchers must avoid cut and paste from the original document into synopsis or executive summary. There should be a logical flow of ideas developed in the entire document with appropriate transition within each point.
Following are the normal steps which are included in the research proposal at any level. Universities also set some exclusive criterion for their research students. They provide templates or specific format for development of the research proposals.
The very first step is to give the title of the research. Title must include the main determinants or factors which govern the objective of the research project. It should clearly indicate the dependent and main independent variables. It must describe the nature of the research activity. For example; the topic like “Study on the behavior of working mothers in Middle East during family disputes”. Here objective is the “behaviour of working mothers”, and the underlying main factor is the “working women”. Similarly location is also indicated wiz the “Middle East region”. This topic provides sufficient information about the topic and the direction of research. Before paraphrasing the title researcher should list the answers to following question;
· What is the main objective (dependent variable) of the research.
· What are the main factors (explanatory or independent variables) of the research objective.
· How can researcher group all factors into one word.
· What are the time period and the location where research will be executed.
In this step researcher explains the background of the research area by answering questions like;
· What is the broad environment which will be referred during research.
· Is there any historical perspective which might have governed the objective of the research project.
In this step researcher explains the research objective by answering following questions. The objective of the study should be in line with the background explained in previous step by narrowing the broad perspective view into a concise statement.
· What motivates researcher to investigate on this issue or field.
· How topic of the research project relates to the issue or field.
. Broad problem area to the problem statement (Literature Review)
In this step the researcher explains about the possible literature he would be reviewing.
Here researcher starts writing about the broad problem area and then narrows it down to the precise problem statement. This is to-the- point statement and set the direction of the research activity. Here by using the techniques of literature review-which is the mention of the known theories on the subject, research tries to explore the topic to the extent that it justifies the pursuit for the new (current) research activity. Literature review in the research proposal should not be written as it is written in original thesis. Here researcher can refer to few examples of similar work in the past (but not all), which may relates to his current research objective. In this step, researcher must justify up to some extent that current objective was not taken up seriously in the past by any other researcher, and he/she has done sufficient study to reach this conclusion. In this stage researcher tries to answer following questions;
· From where, researcher should take a start to discover facts in this entire issue.
· How can researcher develop a chain of ideas or proven theories in the past.
· What are main factors (identified so far)-which govern objective of the study.
· How to write a precise statement explaining the problem behind the study.
Out of the theoretical framework researcher develops a series of relationship among variables-called process of theoretical framework, and then summarized the most appropriate relation in the problem statement. These relationships are subject to verification. Because it is researcher’s own point of view, on which he/she has reached after thorough review of the literature and preliminary investigation on the subject. The statements about each relationship is called hypothesis. There may be more than one hypothesis in one research project. For example hypothesis can be:
· Only old people are emotionally attached with products. Or
· Emotional attachment depends on the age of the consumer etc.
Hypothesis set the exact route on which researcher will move forward in order to meet the objectives of research project.
At proposal level researcher is not able to list all possible hypotheses. Therefore he/she is required to frame at least one research hypothesis which he could form out of his existing knowledge.
In this step the researcher writes the scope and limitations of the of the research activity by answering following questions;
· What else would benefit from the results derived in this research.
· Who else can be benefited from these findings.
· What researcher would not be able to finish in this research.
· What serious constraints researcher could face during investigation.
In this step researcher writes the proposed research design which may lead him/her to the completion of the project. Research design is a way to collect real life evidence which may support your argument (hypothesis). Research methodology covers following questions:
· What type of research design is taken up.
· Who are the respondents in data collection.
· What is the sample size.
· Which research instrument will be used in data collection.
· How data would be analyzed.
Time line is a necessary step in research proposal. It explains how serious researcher is in doing research. How deeply he/she has worked out plan to complete the research project. It covers all essential steps spread over the entire timeline. It is like a Gantt chart developed by project managers. Researcher in this stage tries to give the answer to following questions;
· How much time is needed to complete this research.
· How total time will be allocated in different activities to complete the project.
· If anything goes wrong during research, what extra time would be available to handle the project.
Researcher in this stage tries to give the answer to following questions;
· Where this research activity will be undertaken.
· Who would be the respondents.
· How these respondents would be approached.
Cost estimation is another essential information which should be included in research proposal. Some universities do not make it mandatory part of the proposal at lower grades. But as my advice it should be there even it is not required. This will provide an economic viewpoint of the activity. Researcher should be able to chalk down all explicit and implicit costs involved in this report. Explicit costs are those expenses which researcher will be paying during research project. Like traveling cost, stationary cost, library expenses etc. And implicit cost includes all opportunity cost which is measured as the value of the sacrifices researcher is going to bear during the research. For example, the sacrifice of his salary; as researcher would be able to earn, if he spends time on research. Here the researcher is trying to answer following questions;
· What explicit cost is expected during research.
· What implicit cost is expected during research.
· How would the researcher manage those expenses.
· When and where those expenses will incur.
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The term synopsis refers to a piece of work that is a summarization of a larger piece of work. A synopsis can be written in the form of tables and charts, as prose, as an abridgment, or even as a consolidated re-write of the original work. Explore what a synopsis is in more depth and several synopsis examples.
By definition, a synopsis is a summary of a composition like a book, movie, TV show, or academic paper. A synopsis is often written but can also take verbal or visual form. An individual can give a shortened verbal account of an event or written work, which would be a synopsis. Additionally, the production of a video synopsis exists as well, in which a longer piece of work is summarized in a shorter video.
A synopsis typically includes information about the story's main events and style along with information about the characters . Depending on the purpose of the synopsis, it might provide more or less detail.
Typically, when you look at the back of a book, you can find a short synopsis. Publishers generally use this type of synopsis to entice the reader into reading the entire novel . A literary synopsis might also be used by academic institutions to provide a student with a clear overview of a story or by a writer to provide an overview to publishers. Dive into a variety of short literature synopsis examples.
In her second installment of the Harry Potter saga, J.K. Rowling takes readers through the adventures of Harry Potter at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A mysterious warning from an elf keeps Harry on his toes as he begins to unlock the secrets of Tom Riddle, talking spiders and a unique journal.
In Victor Hugo’s 1860s novel, a man is arrested for stealing a loaf of bread. He spends 20 years in jail, gets out and remakes himself as a new man and a town mayor. He rescues the child of a poor woman and raises her. A police detective cannot see that he is changed and haunts the man, but when they encounter each other during the French Revolution, the former thief lets the detective go with his life.
While generally under the heading of literature, fairy tales are unique because they have so many adaptations. However, the general synopsis for this type of literature is still the same.
The well-known fairy tale of Cinderella explores her servant-like relationship with her cruel stepsisters and a cruel stepmother. When a prince invites the whole family to a ball, Cinderella tries to join them only to be knocked down by her family. A fairy godmother visits her and dresses her up to go to the ball, and the prince falls in love with her. Losing her shoe at midnight, it becomes a hunt for the prince to find his true love at the odds of her stepfamily.
In this classic fairy tale, a mermaid, Ariel, falls in love with a man and tries desperately to become human so that the man will fall in love with her as well. After giving her voice to a sea witch, she can eventually triumph and become human, so she can live happily ever after with the man she loves. However, the witch has a few tricks up her sleeve to keep Ariel from getting her heart’s desire.
Another common area you might see a synopsis is of a play. Much like a literature synopsis, a play synopsis is meant to entice you to watch a live performance, or it could just be used to provide an overview for students. Read through a few examples of famous play synopsis examples.
One of William Shakespeare's greatest plays, Romeo and Juliet , follows two people from warring families as they meet and fall in love despite their family’s disapproval. Through several missed chances and miscommunications, they end up killing themselves for love.
Arthur Miller’s famous play Death of a Salesman follows the last 24 hours of a Willy Loman’s life. Unable to accept change, Willy starts to lose his identity due to his self-centered nature. Through an array of memories and arguments with family members, viewers start to understand what leads to Willy’s suicide.
A synopsis is commonly found on movie posters or digital streaming sites. Studios often release a synopsis for watchers that outlines the show. See a few film synopsis examples in action.
This classic musical follows as the nun, Maria, leaves the convent to be a nanny for the Von Trapp family, including a widowed naval captain and seven children. She falls in love with the father and leaves the country with them to escape the Nazis.
A Disney animated classic, The Lion King , follows the turbulent growth of Simba. A baby lion is born to be King, but his cruel uncle, Scar, kills his father, Mufasa, and sends the baby away. The baby lion returns to fight his uncle and take his rightful place.
If producers didn’t give you a clue what a TV show might be about, would you be as interested in it? Probably not. Therefore, TV stations and producers use engaging synopsis for their shows to get viewers to watch.
Featuring several seasons, The Sopranos follows Tony Soprano and his mob boss family. A New-Jersey based Italian-American, he sees a psychiatrist and discusses work and family problems.
A staple TV show of the 90s, Seinfeld showed four friends who lived their lives in New York City. It follows the antics of Jerry Seinfield, a stand-up comedian. His friends, George, Elaine and Kosmo, help him get through several hilarious situations found in everyday life.
When it comes to academic research, the papers can get long. Therefore, these typically have a synopsis, formally called an abstract, at the beginning of the article. This abstract provides readers information on what is included in the research study and other pertinent information they might need to decide if this paper will be helpful to them. Research paper abstract examples can help show you how these synopses are composed. Explore an abstract example from Med Hypotheses .
"As the current COVID-19 pandemic develops and epidemiological data reveals differences in geographical spread and risk factors for developing a severe course of illness, hypotheses regarding possible underlying mechanisms need to be developed and tested. In our hypothesis, we explore the rational for a role of MTHFR polymorphism C677T as a possible explanation for differences in geographical and gender distribution in disease severity."
Now that you’ve seen some synopsis examples in action, you can start writing a synopsis for yourself. Explore the different steps in writing a synopsis.
In a fiction work, like a novel or TV show, this includes the inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution. You also give the readers a quick overview of your characters, personality traits or motivations. In a non-fiction work, you provide an overview of what the paper or work is about.
It’s important to highlight the unique parts of the non-fiction or fiction work. Provide the readers with something to entice them into reading the document or work, along with why they should. For example, you can point out the voice, unique plot twists or points of view of a novel.
A synopsis isn’t very long, so it’s important to get your points across fast. Therefore, after writing your synopsis, read it over to see if there is any way you can tweak it to make it more clear. Explore areas that you might have gotten a bit too wordy on.
Now that you have seen lots of different synopsis examples, try making one of your own. You can also explore how to write a shorter synopsis, known as a logline . Need more examples in your life? Give plot of story examples a look through.
Discover the world's research
BRYN DONOVAN
How to Write a Synopsis
Updated for 2024.
Hey friends! A lot of people were interested in how to write a book synopsis. I’m not surprised, really—synopsis writing can feel overwhelming.
I read a lot of synopses in my former day job in publishing, and through LuckyAuthor.com , I work with many people to make their synopsis clear and compelling. I’m going to give you my take on how to write a synopsis.
But first, let’s talk about the function of the synopsis! For me, a good synopsis does three things.
It tells me there are engaging characters who have clear motivations for their actions, a well-laid-out plot, enough conflict to keep things interesting, and a satisfying ending.
A word about motivation: the bigger the action, the clearer the motivation needs to be . “On a whim” often doesn’t cut it for big actions, like adopting a tiger for a pet or selling your house and driving an RV across the country.
I should also point out here that I pass on good stories all the time—and I’m not the only one. Our publishing house has a pretty specific vibe. Additionally, editors pass all the time on projects because they just acquired one or two in the same vein. That’s why you should never take a rejection as a sign that you’re a bad writer. There’s an element of luck to this business, and sometimes a rejection has nothing to do with the quality of your writing.
If I think it’s going to be easy to present the book to the salespeople, easy for the salespeople to pitch to retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and Books a Million, and easy to pitch to consumers through a compelling description on the back cover, then naturally, I’m a lot more interested.
I need approval to acquire a book, and sometimes I’m talking to producers about the possibility of making the book into a movie. All these people can’t read every book (though the producers do read the whole book if they’re interested), so we use the synopsis.
So as you can see, the dreaded synopsis is, unfortunately, vital.
If the agent or editor asks for a synopsis of 2 to 4 pages, don’t send them a synopsis of 10 pages or more. And yes, it’s annoying that different people ask for different lengths. Try to give them what they want, as much as you can, and if you’re going to err, err on the side of brevity.
My top synopsis writing advice is:
In my book Blank Page to Final Draft , I explain how getting upfront feedback on a synopsis helps you identify and fix plot holes and weaknesses before you even write the book. Yes, you’ll still have to revise your synopsis later, because writing will lead you to unexpected twists and turns. But you’ll likely avoid a brutal rewrite of your entire manuscript.
If you’re reading this and you’re thinking, “Well, that’s great and everything, Bryn, but I already wrote the book and I’m trying to figure out how to write a synopsis now,” no worries! Here’s my advice.
That’s right—this is basically a synopsis of the synopsis, haha. But it’s really effective. Here are a few made-up examples:
•A history teacher in Massachusetts is transported back to the Revolutionary War era, where she attempts to shorten the war and save thousands of lives by changing the course of a battle.
•A CIA agent is falsely accused of mishandling information and fired. His personal quest to find out who framed him leads to the discovery of a terrorist plot.
•Zoe, a teenager in the Chicago suburbs, is forced to spend the summer with her grandmother on a farm with spotty WiFi. As she gets involved with her grandma’s quirky quilting circle, a romance with a farmhand, and a state fair scandal, it turns out to be her most exciting summer yet.
A main character is usually a point of view character. A “character arc” means the way a character grows and changes throughout the story. (For a better understanding of this, you can check out my post on “ What Is a Character Arc ,” which includes examples.)
It can feel corny and overly simplistic to write out a character arc, but doing this will help people understand your story. I’ve written a few treatments for books and movies, and I’ve learned to always do this up front.
Here are examples of how to do this.
•ELIZA MCBRAYER, a thirty-two year-old history teacher who struggles with shyness in the classroom, discovers new depths of courage and daring within herself as she becomes involved in Revolutionary War-era tactics and espionage.
•MARCUS STONE, a CIA agent, always followed orders. After being wrongfully fired and discovering a terrorist plot, he learns that he has a real talent for making the strategic decisions himself.
•ZOE BURROWS, a suburban teenager, loves art and making videos, and is quick to dismiss people and places as “boring.” She learns that all people—and all places—are interesting in their own way.
Your “inciting incident” is the event that kicks everything into motion.
Your “turning points” are your big scenes that move the story forward and show a progression in your character arcs—in other words, a character is learning, changing, or growing. In a mystery, a turning point might be a major clue (or a major red herring.) In a romance, it’s a scene that brings the characters together—or makes one or both of them pull back. In any genre, it might be a triumph, a heartbreaking loss, or a big decision for one of your characters.
Write out a short description of the inciting incident, these major turning point scenes, and the ending. (Note: actual lines of dialogue generally don’t belong in a synopsis.) Take more time on the beginning and the ending than anything else.
Now, what if you have this one great scene that’s not really a turning point, but you’re very proud of it because it’s hilarious or just plain cool? Go ahead and put that one in there, too.
By “connective tissue,” I mean summary that is short on the details. For instance:
•Eliza settles into the boardinghouse, and after a couple of failed attempts, finds a position as a maid.
•By hiring someone to hack into the CIA’s files, Marcus discovers the connection between his former boss and the terrorist cell.
•Zoe is entertained by the quilters’ colorful stories and the next time they meet, she tries her hand at quilting herself.
Congratulations!
If writing a synopsis makes you realize you need to do more revision of your novel—to clarify a character’s motivation, increase the conflict, trim a subplot, or so on—you’re not alone. Don’t feel bad about it! Embrace the insight and the opportunity to make the book better before you send it out.
Otherwise, just get some feedback from others on your synopsis—don’t be shy. Tweak it as necessary. Make an English major who loves you proofread it. And then it’s good to go.
Do you have your own tips for writing a great synopsis? Please share them in the comments! And if you have questions, go ahead and ask those, too—I’ll answer them if I can. Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!
29 thoughts on “ how to write a synopsis ”.
I started writing my story as a screenplay after several false starts as a novel, quite a while back. Then I decided to start over and write the synopsis to clear things up in my head (the document I used to plan the screenplay came together through a variety of sources, from some books on writing novels/screenplays, to some courses on MasterClass.com, to guidance on this blog and the Blank Page to Final Draft book I found out about here).
What it then became was this (funny that you used the name Zoe in one example and a fired CIA agent in another your example; it made me want to make a quick reply here 🙂 : “A 33-year-old Korean-American CIA technical officer is booted from the agency due to the onset of a mental disorder, and begins life anew in Boston in pursuit of a business and law degrees as the country descends into unrest due to a pandemic that brings on grave social disorder. With an old friend, they moonlight as entrepreneurs, trying to build a massive door-to-door marijuana and hallucinogen vaping business, while fending off violent rivals and law enforcement.”
And I have gotten feedback from a number of sources, including one set of comments from my wife (who is a Journalism major) and then, most recently, from a screenplay coach I hired, the latter of which is below: “Very compelling concept. There is a lot going on, but not necessarily in a bad way. This clearly is inspired partially by current events, but it also deals with some other issues the world is facing (mental illness, economy…etc.). The strength of a story like this will come down to the characters and their development. I can see a lot of struggle with the protagonist going from a CIA officer to a door-to-door marijuana salesman (essentially). Lots of conflict there, both internal and external. Overall, I’m intrigued, but I want a bit more information. What is the theme? What is the genre? This will help to dictate the direction and tone of the story, which in turn can impact what kind of characters you develop next week.”
At the end of the course I had a 120 page screenplay, though it got a grade of “pass” (and not the academic definition of “pass”), and I got some detailed advice at the end, though I’m still not sure I agree with it (that the academic aspect be removed entirely).
What was good about going through the process (of learning from a variety of sources and applying it) was that I now have both a “pitchable” synopsis and with my screenplay, almost a detailed outline and a strong definition of how the characters “sound” when they talk in the novel.
As you’ve probably all seen from my WIP posts, I’m not terribly strong at description. But I’m now almost more motivated to write the book, as I think I’d have more room to add in the academic plot line.
I guess the lesson I learned was, could I hook somebody I was telling the story to in an elevator before we reached their floor? Can I sell my story succinctly?
Still working on that.
Thanks for sharing your writing journey. I am not sure I get your concept. Is the business and law degree a goal in itself? Is it important? Not too interesting to me, unless the degree was to advance some other mission. I assume the social disorder is an obstacle to the protagonist but it is not clear. Is this a buddy story? Then, something about the dynamic with the old friend would be a factor.
I assume this is a criminal enterprise, a downward arc for the protagonist.
The academics were initially to help them advance their careers, but then ended up helping them figure out how to best run a criminal enterprise.
Again, there is likely too much going on here, but deciding what to keep and what to leave out is perplexing. Perhaps I have two separate stories here.
I’ve got a lot of scenes in my head that I’d like to get down but am trying to filter out at the same time, which goes to the heart of the comments I got from the screenplay coach.
Hi Chris! It’s certainly an interesting story, and you’ve done a great job of getting the shape of the plot down. I’m curious about the motivation (why that business, exactly?) and the character arc (how does he change, or what does he learn?), which I think you have in your head.
I don’t think I noticed that you struggle with description…but everyone has trouble with one element or another, and you can definitely learn it. It could even become a strength of yours in the end! And of course, in screenplays, you need very little description 🙂
Thanks for commenting! Hope you’re having a good week (and not working TOO hard!)
Thanks for the feedback and questions.
I think I chose that line of business because it was both illegal but also seemed borderline legitimate (both in the way liquor was when outlawed and also in that many states have begun legalizing marijuana but in a highly restrictive way through licensing), ripe for operational optimization and also that it would ensnare her group with a lot of dangerous criminal elements who have had a long time in that business.
You’re right about having her character arc in my head. A good amount involves her learning to have confidence and trust herself despite living with an illness, and then finding her career identity.
Doing my best to not work too too hard! Thanks!
I can’t find the like button for this post. And the normal comment field is missing. Is my WP account acting up?
Hi friend! You know what, I had to change themes, and I didn’t even notice the likes were gone until you mentioned it. I think the comments need fiddling with, too. 🙂 I’ll work on it this weekend!
Thank you ?.
Thank you for these guidelines on synopsis writing. You have given me a lot to think about and right at the perfect time. I will be pitching very soon.
I’m so glad it was helpful, Naomi—I hope the pitching goes great!
Thank you for taking the time to teach us a great way to write a synopsis! Valuable information is always a plus in my book!
You bet, Kay. Thanks for reading, and for the kind words!
Hi Bryn. I’d like to know where you keep the crystal ball you use when you decide on a post for your website. You have done it again with this one. Exactly what I need. Thanks. I have attempted to write synopsizes for several of my books. It is such an overwhelming task! To make it at least possible, I have tried different approaches. Not for the finished product, but as a beginning. Once I sat my character down and did an interview first and then wrote the synopsis from the interview. The most recent first attempt was a spreadsheet with every scene in every chapter one column for each main character and rows for each chapter. I have most recently started a college level writing class and am getting acquainted with another technique. I really love the simplicity you use to explain complicated things. Thank you again
Jessie, hahaha—I’m so glad it came at the right time! It can be so challenging because you’re boiling down so much material into such a short piece. I hope this approach works for you!
Thanks Bryn I have just written and Illustrated and unusual and I think quite unique short book , only 21 pages of script and 21 pages of Illustrations. It is about a bull who falls in love with a dolphin and their offspring is a sort of mythical underwater superman. So as you can imagine I am having trouble writing a synopsis to hopefully entice a publisher. Your post could not have come at a better time, thanks again. Warren
Warren, I’m so glad it came at a good time! It does sound like a unique story, and I think if you add to the pitch what the characters learn or the moral or “theme” of the story, it’ll be complete. Good luck!
This was so helpful. I am a beginner in the book writing field. I have always been a journal writer. I love writing but I don’t know about the formalities. I am learning many important things from you.
Hi Stephanie! Well, everyone starts out a beginner, and if you do a lot of journal writing, you’ve got a head start. I’m so glad this is helpful. You might want to check out my book BLANK PAGE TO FINAL DRAFT… https://amzn.to/3kzx68U
I have plenty of free resources, too. Check out my post on how to begin a story: https://www.bryndonovan.com/2016/01/12/what-happens-on-page-one-30-ways-to-start-a-novel/
and the character arc post I mentioned above: https://www.bryndonovan.com/2019/06/26/what-is-a-character-arc-a-definition-plus-7-examples-from-movies-and-books/
If you sign up for the blog (there’s a place on the lefthand side of the page), you won’t miss new writing posts. I hope you have great luck with your writing, and I hope you love it!
I usually write a logline and a one pager before I start the book. I like to draw from the one pager to help with my synopsis after.
That is so smart, Denise! I know that for me, the one-pager would serve as a guidepost whenever I got lost in the weeds. 🙂
This is so useful. Thank you. I can see how this is going to help me figure out the plot issues with my manuscript and really make it shine.
Erin, so glad it seems helpful! Though it kind of seems like your manuscript is shining already 🙂
Hi, Bryn! Thank you so much for putting this information out there. You’d be surprised how hard it is to find the breakdown on how to write a great synopsis. And your first piece of advice is something I discovered recently and makes a world of difference, (it’s even better than outlining – IMO) – “If possible, write the synopsis before you write the book.” Many thanks, and wishing you a wonderful week.
Bryn, Thank you for this helpful blog! Question —I was advised by a fiction writer that the two or three main character names should always be capitalized in a synopsis. What are your thoughts? I am not a fan of unnecessary caps, but if it is helpful, I will do it.
Hey, Bryn, Thanks for the awesome post. I’m going to use it as a template against my already prepared synopsis. Seems I’m always missing something or other. Practice makes perfect (or darn close). LOVE your new picture!
Thanks for the tips!
Hi Brynn, I have a silly question. As far as structure of a synopsis, do you typically recommend laying it out as “paragraphs” so to say for each section (logline, characters, and summary sections) with indentations, or more of a bullet point layout like your examples show above?
Hi Meg! Not a silly question at all! A synopsis is generally written out in paragraphs. I definitely recommend introducing the characters as I show in #2 – capitalizing their names and writing one or two sentences about who they are and what their character arc is. They don’t need the bullet point, though; that formatting was just for this article. 🙂
Thank you, Brynn! I so appreciate your kindness and genuine desire to help aspiring writers. This is very helpful, and I am grateful for your reply 🙂
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A research paper analyzes a perspective or argues a point. It is an expanded essay based on your interpretation, evaluation or argument about a certain topic.
According to Sunny Empire State College , “When you write a research paper you build upon what you know about the subject and make a deliberate attempt to find out what experts know. A research paper involves surveying a field of knowledge in order to find the best possible information in that field.” Whatever type of research paper you choose to write, it should present your own ideas backed with others’ (especially experts on the field) information and data.
Every research paper has a research summary. A research summary is a brief overview of what the whole research is about. It is a professional piece of writing that describes your research to the readers. It concisely yet perfectly captures the essence of the research as a whole. You may also see What Should Be in an Executive Summary of a Report?
Having a good template for a research summary is nothing if you don’t know its importance and basic function. Before you start writing your research summary, you should first know its fundamentals on the areas you need to pay attention to such as its content, style and organization.
However, rules may vary according to your research professor’s standards. This is just the basic fundamentals on how to write your research summary. Also see Thesis Outline Examples
It is apparent that a research summary is a condensed version of the main idea of your research paper. Because of this, it is advised that the summary of your paper is written after you are done with your entire research. This is to ensure that all the added information in your research can be written in your summary as well and all of those that removed can be edited out. Here are a few steps on how to write a research summary:
It should be a fact you should know beforehand; the importance of reading your entire research paper thoroughly to write an effective research summary. Along the way, take notes of the important details and key findings that you want to highlight in your paper. This will help you organize your summary better. Remember that your research summary is a mini-paper of your study and it should contain the main ideas of your entire research.
For your first draft, focus on the content rather than the length of your summary. Your draft is your first outline on what to include in the final summary. Writing a draft ensures you write a clear, thorough and coherent summary of your research paper. Also see How to Write a Rough Outline
Within your research paper, you must identify the major points that will encourage prospective readers to go through your research paper. These major points must thoroughly and completely explain what the paper is trying to convey.
Identify the differences of the main section in your paper. Write a few sentences describing the main ideas of each section. In short, you should be able to present and thoroughly describe what each main section is focused on. It should have these basic sections:
All the information you have gathered must be then used to make your summary. Remember that your summary is just an overview of your research paper as a whole. It should be not be more than 10% of your whole paper. Also see 5 Summary Writing Examples and Samples
After establishing the basic way of writing a research summary, it is a must to write a first draft. It should follow the flow of the original paper. Here’s a few steps on how to make a first draft:
First, state the research question in the introduction of your summary. This holds the ground as to the summary’s direction. Provide an explanation why your research is interesting and how it can help your target recipients.
Second, state the hypothesis you wish to prove. This will help you and your readers stay grounded on the topic at hand.
Third, briefly discuss the methodology used in your research. Discuss and describe the procedure, materials, participants, design, etc. The analysis of your data must also be included. You may also see How to Write a Successful Thesis Proposal
Fourth, describe the results and significance of your research. And lastly, briefly discuss the key implications of your research. The results and its interpretation should directly coincide with your hypothesis.
A research paper is a formal piece of writing. Your summary should be tailored to your expected readers. Say for example the prospective readers are your classmates, so the style of your paper should be clearly understood by them.
Eliminate wordiness. Avoid using unnecessary adjectives and adverbs. Write in a way it would be easier for your readers to understand. It is common for research papers to establish a word count. Avoid elongating your sentences when it has shorter versions.
Being vague in describing and explaining the points of your paper might lead to confusion in your readers part. Use specific, concrete language when presenting results. Use reliable and specific examples and references as well. You should also use scientifically accurate language to help support your claims. Avoid informal words and adjectives to describe the results of your research.
Paraphrase the information you want to include in your research paper. Direct quoting the information you have read from a different source is not oftenly used in formal writings. To give the exact credit for the information you paraphrased, follow the citation format required by your professor.
Reread your paper and let others read it as well. This way minor errors you were not able to notice can be quickly pointed out and corrected.
Your research summary should not be more than 10 pages long or not more than 10% of your original document. This keeps your research summary concise and compact. It should be short enough for your readers to read through but long enough for you to clearly explain your study.
Avoid simply copy and pasting different parts of your paper into your summary. You should paraphrase parts that you want to include. As most research advisers read through all of your paper, it can easily be identified if you have copy-pasted parts from your research and might give you a bad grade.
Although not a requirement from your professor, catering your summary to what the readers need is sometimes required. As some studies are given out to different influential people in the field, writing a summary that caters to the readers’ necessities might be required.
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Clarity and organization.
One of the common mistakes in writing a research is publishing an unclear and unpolished summary. Bear in mind that your readers are likely reading about the topic of your research for the first time, avoid unclear and uncertain explanations and a disorganized summary.
Use precise and strong words to help strengthen the foundation of your summary. Your summary should be able to stand alone despite it being a part of the research paper. Once you have convinced your readers with the recommendations regarding the topic of your paper, the readers should be able to find concrete evidence and explanations within your summary. Avoid pleas and biased statements in your summary, but make sure you are able to relay the sense of urgency for the recommendations you have given.
To make things easier for you, divide your paper into different sections and headings, much like creating an outline. With this in mind, every point should be explained limited to its essence. In this way, you avoid writing too much information about your paper in your summary.
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Blog • Understanding Publishing
Posted on Sep 12, 2018
About the author.
Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.
Savannah is a senior editor with Reedsy and a published writer whose work has appeared on Slate, Kirkus, and BookTrib. Her short fiction has appeared in the Owl Canyon Press anthology, "No Bars and a Dead Battery".
Your novel is fully written, edited, and polished to perfection — you’re ready to pitch it to agents! But you’re missing a critical piece of persuasion: the synopsis. Even after putting together your entire book, you may have no idea how to write one, or even how to approach it.
Luckily, we’ve got answers for you. Read on for our best tips on writing a synopsis that’s clear, concise, captivating… and may even lead to an all-out agent battle over your novel!
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.
FREE RESOURCE
Manuscript Format Template
Get your manuscript ready for submission to agents and publishers.
You may also want to have an additional “brief” summary prepared for agents who specifically request a single page or less. Remember: as hard as it will be to distill all your hard work into that minimal space, it’s crucial to keep your synopsis digestible and agent-friendly.
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)?
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Economic Stability
This summary of the literature on Employment as a social determinant of health is a narrowly defined examination that is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all dimensions of the issue. Please note: The terminology used in each summary is consistent with the respective references. For additional information on cross-cutting topics, please see the High School Graduation , Housing Instability , and Poverty literature summaries.
Here's a snapshot of the objectives related to topics covered in this literature summary. Browse all objectives .
Here's a snapshot of the evidence-based resources related to topics covered in this literature summary. Browse all evidence-based resources .
Every day, many people are either working or looking for work. 1 , 2 , 3 Multiple aspects of employment — including job security, the work environment, financial compensation, and job demands — may affect health. This summary describes how several of these aspects of employment influence health.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines the labor force as individuals who are either employed (i.e., those who are working for pay or profit) or unemployed (i.e., those who are jobless but are available to work and have actively looked for work in the past 4 weeks). 2 , 4 People who are neither employed nor unemployed are not part of the labor force. 2 , 4 As of December 2019, approximately 260 million people in the United States were eligible for the labor force. Of those eligible, 63 percent participated (i.e., were employed or unemployed), and the remaining 37 percent were out of the labor force (e.g., retired). 5
In addition, some workforce participants are underemployed, a term that indicates “involuntary part-time employment, poverty-wage employment, and insecure employment (i.e., intermittent unemployment).” 6 Underemployment includes situations where the social status and income of a job does not match an employee’s education, abilities, and skills. 7 , 8 , 9
Harmful workplace conditions, including psychosocial stress, can increase the risk for negative health outcomes. 1 , 10 , 11 In 2019, there were 2.8 million nonfatal and 5,333 fatal injuries at work. 12 , 13 Workers are prone to injuries and illness if their job includes repetitive lifting, pulling or pushing heavy loads; 1 , 14 poor-quality office equipment (e.g., keyboards and chairs); 1 , 15 long-term exposure to harmful chemicals such as lead, pesticides, aerosols, and asbestos; 1 , 16 , 17 or a noisy work environment. 1 , 18 , 19 In addition, highly demanding jobs and lack of control over day-to-day work activities are sources of psychosocial stress at work. 10 Other sources of workplace stress include high levels of interpersonal conflict, 20 working evening shifts, working more than 8 hours a day, and having multiple jobs. 1 , 21 These stressors put people at risk for mortality 22 and depression, 23 and they may be correlated with increased parent-child conflict and parental withdrawal. 24 People in highly stressful jobs may also exhibit unhealthy coping skills such as smoking or alcohol abuse. 25
Level of educational attainment is linked to disparities in employment because it affects the type of work people do, the working conditions they experience, and the income they earn. Workforce participants have different skill levels and educational backgrounds, which creates inequalities in wages, opportunities for advancement, job security, and other work benefits. 26 Individuals with less education have fewer employment choices, which may force them into positions with low levels of control, job insecurity, and low wages. 9 Individuals with less education are also more likely to have jobs that are physically demanding or include exposure to toxins. 9
Gender i is also an influential source of workplace disparities. Men are more likely to work longer hours, hold higher-status jobs, and have more physically demanding jobs. However, women report more work-related physical and mental health problems. 27 Men tend to receive less support from coworkers and supervisors, 27 while women are more likely to experience sexual harassment 28 , 29 and related alcohol abuse. 28 , 30
Racial and ethnic disparities also exist in the workforce. White people are more likely to work in white-collar clerical jobs and to assume managerial positions, while Black people are more likely to work in blue-collar service jobs. 26 Some racial/ethnic minority groups are also more likely to be unemployed. 31 In October 2019, the unemployment rate for Black people was 5.4 percent, compared to 3.2 percent for White people. 31 Additionally, Black people are more likely than White people to work in jobs that have a higher exposure to environmental risk factors and a higher risk for injury or illness. 32 Workplace inequalities among racial/ethnic minority groups may cause anxiety, depression, and physical pain. 30
Unemployment can also have negative health consequences. Those who are unemployed report feelings of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, demoralization, 6 , 8 worry, and physical pain. 33 Unemployed individuals tend to suffer more from stress-related illnesses such as high blood pressure, 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 stroke, heart attack, heart disease, and arthritis. 8 , 38 , 39 In addition, experiences such as perceived job insecurity, downsizing or workplace closure, and underemployment also have implications for physical and mental health. 8
Some strategies have been implemented to mitigate the negative health effects of unemployment and improve employee health and well-being. The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who lost a job for reasons beyond their own control. 40 Although unemployment benefits vary by state laws, some research indicates that larger state unemployment benefits may alleviate poor health outcomes associated with unemployment. 41 A federal agency that supports workers is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which helps regulate safe work environments. OSHA outlines the rights of workers and offers opportunities for workers to request a workplace inspection or file a safety complaint. 42 Finally, employers may offer a range of resources and benefits to improve the well-being of their employees, including health insurance, paid sick leave, and parental leave. Employer health insurance provides access to affordable medical care and financial protection from unexpected health care costs. 43 , 44 In 2019, 71 percent of civilian workers and 69 percent of private industry workers had access to health insurance, while 89 percent of state and local government employees had access. 45 Additionally, paid sick leave allows employees to seek medical care for themselves or dependent family members without losing wages. 46 Some employers also offer parental leave after the birth of a child, which is frequently unpaid. Maternity leave has been associated with a number of positive health outcomes for both women and children. 47
Additional research is needed to better understand the beneficial effects of employment on health and to promote interventions that address disparities in employment and health. This additional evidence will facilitate public health efforts to address employment as a social determinant of health.
i The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define gender as “the cultural roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes expected of people based on their sex.”
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2008). Work matters for health . http://www.commissiononhealth.org/PDF/0e8ca13d-6fb8-451d-bac8-7d15343aacff/Issue%20Brief%204%20Dec%2008%20-%20Work%20and%20Health.pdf
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2017). The employment situation: October 2017. News Release . https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_11032017.pdf
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2017). American time use survey — 2016 results. News Release . https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/atus_06272017.pdf
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2015). Labor force statistics from the current population survey: How the government measures unemployment . http://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Employment situation news release . https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_01102020.htm#cps_empsit_annual_c.f.1
Dooley, D., Fielding, J., & Levi, L. (1996). Health and unemployment. Annual Review of Public Health, 17 , 449–465.
Friedland, D. S., & Price, R. H. (2003). Underemployment: Consequences for the health and well‐being of workers. American Journal of Community Psychology, 32 (1), 33–45.
Avendano, M., & Berkman, L. F. (2014). Labor markets, employment policies, and health. In Social Epidemiology (pp. 182–233). Open University Press.
Berkman, L. F., Kawachi, I., & Theorell, T. (2014). Working conditions and health. In Social Epidemiology (pp. 153–181). Open University Press.
Shain, M., & Kramer, D. M. (2004). Health promotion in the workplace: Framing the concept; reviewing the evidence. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61 (7), 643–648.
Brooker, A., & Eakin, J. M. (2001). Gender, class, work-related stress and health: Toward a power-centred approach. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 11 (2), 97–109. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.620
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Employer-reported workplace injuries and illnesses (annual) news release . https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/osh_11042020.htm
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019). Table A-7: Fatal occupational injuries by worker characteristics and event or exposure, all United States . https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cftb0333.htm
O’Neil, B. A., Forsythe, M. E., & Stanish, W. D. (2001). Chronic occupational repetitive strain injury. Canadian Family Physician, 47 (2), 311–316.
Ross, P. (1994). Ergonomic hazards in the workplace: Assessment and prevention. American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Journal, 42 (4), 171–176.
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2004). Worker health chartbook, 2004 . https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-146/pdfs/2004-146.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2004146
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006). Adult blood lead epidemiology and surveillance — United States, 2003–2004. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 55 (32), 876–879.
Hager, L. D. (2002). Hearing protection. Didn’t hear it coming ... Noise and hearing in industrial accidents. Occupational Health and Safety, 71 (9), 196–200.
Nelson, D. I., Nelson, R. Y., Concha-Barrientos, M., & Fingerhut, M. (2005). The global burden of occupational noise-induced hearing loss. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 48 (6), 446–458. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20223
Schieman, S., & Reid, S. (2009). Job authority and health: Unraveling the competing suppression and explanatory influences. Social Science & Medicine, 69 (11), 1616–1624.
Caruso, C. C., Hitchcock, E. M., Dick, R. B., Russo, J. M., & Schmit, J. M. (2004). Overtime and extended work shifts: Recent findings on illnesses, injuries, and health behaviors . Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Sabbath, E. L., Mejía-Guevara, I., Noelke, C., & Berkman, L. F. (2015). The long-term mortality impact of combined job strain and family circumstances: A life course analysis of working American mothers. Social Science & Medicine, 146 , 111–119.
Simmons, L. A., & Swanberg, J. E. (2009). Psychosocial work environment and depressive symptoms among U.S. workers: Comparing working poor and working non-poor. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 44 (8), 628–635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0479-x
Repetti, R. L., & Wang, S. W. (2014). Employment and parenting. Parenting, 14 (2), 121–132.
Hoel, H., Sparks, K., & Cooper, C. L. (2001). The cost of violence/stress at work and the benefits of a violence/stress-free working environment. Geneva: International Labour Organization, 81 .
Kalleberg, A. L. (2011). Good jobs, bad jobs . Russel Sage Foundation.
Campos-Serna, J., Ronda-Pérez, E., Artazcoz, L., Moen, B. E., & Benavides, F. G. (2013). Gender inequalities in occupational health related to the unequal distribution of working and employment conditions: A systematic review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 12 , 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-12-57
Gradus, J., Street, A. E., Kelly, K., & Stafford, J. (2008). Sexual harassment experiences and harmful alcohol use in a military sample: Differences in gender and the mediating role of depression. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 69 (3), 348–351.
Rospenda, K. M., Richman, J. A., & Shannon, C. A. (2009). Prevalence and mental health correlates of harassment and discrimination in the workplace: Results from a national study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24 (5), 819–843.
Okechukwu, C. A., Souza, K., Davis, K. D., & Castro, A. B. (2014). Discrimination, harassment, abuse, and bullying in the workplace: Contribution of workplace injustice to occupational health disparities. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 57 (5), 573–586.
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019). Unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in October . https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2019/unemployment-rate-was-3-point-6-percent-in-october-2019.htm
Assari, S. (2018). Health disparities due to diminished return among Black Americans. Public Policy Solutions, 1 2(1), 112–145.
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James, S. A., LaCroix, A. Z., Kleinbaum, D. G., & Strogatz, D. S. (1984). John Henryism and blood pressure differences among Black men. II. The role of occupational stressors. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 7 (3), 259–275.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2013). How does employment — or unemployment — affect health? Health policy snapshot . http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/issue_briefs/2013/rwjf403360
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2012). A profile of the working poor, 2010. News Release . https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/working-poor/archive/workingpoor_2010.pdf
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A proposed Republican party platform has been approved at the party’s national convention, but a much more detailed proposal from a conservative think tank has also been drawing attention.
Project 2025 was created by the Heritage Foundation and runs for more than 900 pages.
Trump has disavowed Project 2025, though critics have pointed out it was led by former officials in his administration.
The document calls for the sacking of thousands of civil servants, expanding the power of the president, dismantling the Department of Education, sweeping tax cuts, a ban on pornography, halting sales of the abortion pill, and more.
There is agreement between many parts of the official Republican platform and Project 2025, although the think-tank document is much more detailed and in some policy areas goes much further than the party line.
There is a sharper contrast between the two when it comes to the issue of abortion, with Heritage urging much more aggressive anti-abortion policies.
It is common for Washington think tanks of all political stripes to propose policy wish lists for potential governments-in-waiting.
The conservative Heritage Foundation first produced policy plans for future Republican administrations in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was about to take office.
It has produced similar documents in connection with subsequent presidential elections, including in 2016, when Trump won the presidency.
A year into his term, the think tank boasted that the Trump White House had adopted nearly two-thirds of its proposals.
The Project 2025 report was unveiled in April 2023, but liberal opposition to the document has ramped up now that Trump has extended his polling lead.
The Republican nominee himself has distanced himself from the proposal.
"I know nothing about Project 2025," he posted on his social media website, Truth Social. "I have no idea who is behind it.
"I disagree with some of the things they're saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal."
But the team that created the project is chock-full of former Trump advisers, including director Paul Dans, who was chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management while Trump was president.
Mr Dans left the project in late July, clearing the way for Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts to take over. He said he was leaving during the presidential election season in order to "direct all my efforts to winning, bigly".
Russell Vought, another former Trump administration official, wrote a key chapter in the document and also serves as the Republican National Committee’s 2024 platform policy director.
More than 100 conservative organisations contributed to the document, Heritage says, including many that would be hugely influential in Washington if Republicans took back the White House.
The Project 2025 document sets out four main policy aims: restore the family as the centrepiece of American life; dismantle the administrative state; defend the nation's sovereignty and borders; and secure God-given individual rights to live freely.
Here's an outline of several of its key proposals.
Project 2025 proposes that the entire federal bureaucracy, including independent agencies such as the Department of Justice, be placed under direct presidential control - a controversial idea known as "unitary executive theory".
In practice, that would streamline decision-making, allowing the president to directly implement policies in a number of areas.
The proposals also call for eliminating job protections for thousands of government employees, who could then be replaced by political appointees.
The document labels the FBI a "bloated, arrogant, increasingly lawless organization". It calls for drastic overhauls of this and several other federal agencies, as well as the complete elimination of the Department of Education.
What does the Republican party platform say?
The party platform includes a proposal to "declassify government records, root out wrongdoers, and fire corrupt employees", pledges to slash regulation and government spending. But it stops short of proposing a sweeping overhaul of federal agencies as outlined in Project 2025.
Increased funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border - one of Trump's signature proposals in 2016 - is proposed in the document.
Project 2025 also proposes dismantling the Department of Homeland Security and combining it with other immigration enforcement units in other agencies, creating a much larger and more powerful border policing operation.
Other proposals include eliminating visa categories for crime and human trafficking victims, increasing fees on immigrants and allowing fast-tracked applications for migrants who pay a premium.
Not all of those details are repeated in the party platform, but the overall headlines are similar - the party is promising to implement the "largest deportation programme in American history".
Climate and economy.
The document proposes slashing federal money for research and investment in renewable energy, and calls for the next president to "stop the war on oil and natural gas".
Carbon-reduction goals would be replaced by efforts to increase energy production and energy security.
The paper sets out two competing visions on tariffs, and is divided on whether the next president should try to boost free trade or raise barriers to imports.
But the economic advisers suggest that a second Trump administration should slash corporate and income taxes, abolish the Federal Reserve and even consider a return to gold-backed currency.
The party platform does not go as far as Project 2025 in these policy areas. The platform instead talks of bringing down inflation and drilling for oil to reduce energy costs, but is thin on specific policy proposals.
Project 2025 does not call outright for a nationwide abortion ban.
However, it proposes withdrawing the abortion pill mifepristone from the market, and using existing but little-enforced laws to stop the drug being sent through the post.
The document suggests that the department of Health and Human Services should "maintain a biblically based, social science-reinforced definition of marriage and family".
On this issue at least, the document differs fairly substantially from the Republican platform, which only mentions the word "abortion" once. The platform says abortion laws should be left to individual states and that late-term abortions (which it does not define) should be banned.
It adds that that access to prenatal care, birth control and in-vitro fertilisation should be protected. The party platform makes no mention of cracking down on the distribution of mifepristone.
Under the proposals, pornography would be banned, and tech and telecoms companies that allow access would be shut down.
The document calls for school choice and parental control over schools, and takes aim at what it calls "woke propaganda".
It proposes to eliminate a long list of terms from all laws and federal regulations, including "sexual orientation", "gender equality", "abortion" and "reproductive rights".
Project 2025 aims to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools and government departments as part of what it describes as a wider crackdown on "woke" ideology.
Project 2025's proposals in this policy area are broadly reflected in the Republican platform, which in addition to calling for the abolishing the Department of Education, aims to boost school choice and parental control over education and criticises what the party calls the "inappropriate political indoctrination of our children".
Although Heritage has long supported reforming the country's public pension plan, Project 2025 barely touches this third rail of American politics.
The platform says Social Security is a "lifeline" for millions of retired Americans and Republicans will "restore Economic Stability to ensure the long-term sustainability" of the programme.
Project 2025 is backed by a $22m (£17m) budget and includes strategies for implementing policies immediately after the presidential inauguration in January 2025.
Heritage is also creating a database of conservative loyalists to fill government positions, and a programme to train those new workers.
Democrats led by Jared Huffman, a congressman from California, have launched a Stop Project 2025 Task Force.
And many of the proposals would likely face immediate legal challenges from Trump's opponents if implemented.
Where biden and trump stand on key issues, four things that could decide who wins us election.
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Compost (dark brown material) mixed with soil to create planting mounds for squash. The area is covered with residues of a cover crop that was cut down in late April.
U.S. EPA Class A "Exceptional Quality" biosolids (composted sewer sludge) are allowed for use around all types of garden plants. Examples:
Organic mulches, including tree leaves, grass clippings, straw, wood bark, and wood chips, decompose and contribute to soil organic matter. Using organic materials available from your yard or neighboring yards keeps them out of landfills and recycles nutrients from plants to soil and back to plants.
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Adam Turnquist | Chief Technical Strategist
Last Updated: August 08, 2024
Over the last several days, LPL Research has published an array of publicly available content related to the jump in equity market volatility, including:
In short, the recent sell-off was underpinned by three primary factors, including: 1) overbought conditions coming into August — especially in big tech; 2) waning confidence for a soft landing due to last week’s weak Institute of Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing and employment data; and 3) the rapid unwinding of the crowded yen carry trade.
To boil down the conclusion of our research into one simple message, don’t panic. Pullbacks and corrections are quite common, even during a strong bull market. Over the last 70+ years, the S&P 500 has experienced an average maximum peak-to-trough drawdown of 13.7% during a calendar year, suggesting the current 8.5% drawdown is still below average. Volatility also brings opportunity, and forward market returns after sizable drawdowns tend to be above average. Furthermore, it is important to remember the markets long-term uptrend remains intact and most breadth metrics are holding up well.
From a technical perspective, the risk of additional selling pressure appears elevated. Market bottoms are often a process and begin to form after oversold conditions reach extremes — something yet to fully materialize amid the current drawdown. As highlighted in panels two and three below, only around 12% of S&P 500 stocks reached oversold levels based on the Relative Strength Index (RSI), well below readings above 20% that typically overlap with bottoms. The percentage of new four-week lows across the index also failed to trigger a washed-out reading. Based on this backdrop, there is insufficient technical evidence to make the case that a durable bottom has formed.
In the event of further selling pressure, watch for support at 5,254 (March high), 5,227 (Fibonacci retracement level — Fibonacci retracement levels are lines that indicate where support and resistance are likely), 5,119 (August low), and 5,026 (200-day moving average (dma)). Resistance sets up at 5,312 (price gap/Fibonacci retracement level), 5,321 (May high), 5,347 (price gap), and near 5,400 (July low).
Volatility measures have been notable and point to abating fear in the market. The CBOE Volatility Index — more commonly called the VIX or ‘fear gauge’ — surged to its highest reading since March 2020 on Monday. Historically, major spikes in the VIX often occur near major capitulation points in equity markets, especially when the curve moves sharply into backwardation (as was the case this week), characterized by spot VIX trading at a premium to longer-term contracts.
Source: LPL Research, Bloomberg 08/07/24 Disclosures: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All indexes are unmanaged and can’t be invested directly.
Ultra-low rates and easy monetary policy made the yen an attractive funding currency for the carry trade, where investors borrow in currencies with low rates to fund purchases in higher-yielding securities elsewhere. However, recent tightening from the Bank of Japan (BOJ) pulled the proverbial thread on this crowded trade, and it started to unravel over the last few weeks, sparking a surge in yen buying as investors covered short positions.
As highlighted below, the USD/JPY pulled back through support from its prior highs near 152 and violated its longer-term uptrend. The pair finally found their footing near the December lows (141), where a relief rally off extremely oversold conditions subsequently developed. For context, the RSI indicator reached its lowest level since 1997, a period known as “Asian Contagion” as currency devaluations in the region turned into systemic market risk.
Determining the size of the carry trade can be challenging due to the opaqueness of currency positioning and transactions. For example, analysts speculate yen carry-trade borrowing could range anywhere from $1 to $4 trillion in total, with recent reports estimating that 75% of carry trades have now been closed. Regardless, the path of least resistance for the USD/JPY is no longer higher, implying risk for additional downside volatility is elevated. Technicals provide a framework for assessing this risk, and a close below support at 141 would point to another potential leg lower for the pair. In contrast, a rally back above 152 would recapture the 200-dma and prior uptrend, suggesting reduced carry trade volatility and downside risk.
Source: LPL Research, Bloomberg 08/08/24 Disclosures: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All indexes are unmanaged and can’t be invested in directly. Any futures referenced are being presented as a proxy, not as a recommendation.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) provides a more definitive estimate of the overall change in yen short positions. The bottom panel of the chart above highlights combined short yen futures contracts for non-commercial (often hedge funds/large speculators) and non-reportable (generally considered small speculators) traders. While this cohort represents a significantly smaller portion of the aggregate yen carry trade, it can at least be used as a proxy for sentiment and direction of short yen positions. Collectively, this group is currently short 179,000 futures contracts, equivalent to around $15.3 billion in notional dollar terms. To square these positions up to levels where they started the year (127,000 contracts), traders would need to buy back or cover another 52,000 contracts. As you may notice, short yen positions and the USD/JPY are also positively correlated, and a simple regression analysis between weekly changes in short contracts and the USD/JPY suggests an unwinding of yen short positions back to January levels could lead to another 16% decline in the currency pair. While a drop of this magnitude is unlikely, especially given the recent dovish commentary from BOJ Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida, who suggested they would not raise rates if financial markets were unstable, the data suggests the unwinding of yen short positions could have more room to go.
Stocks have rebounded off their recent lows as better-than-expected economic data recently helped suppress recession risks. While volatility measures point to a potential capitulation point, the degree of shorter-term technical damage and lack of widespread oversold conditions leaves us skeptical of the lows being set. Currency market volatility has also abated as the unwinding of the yen carry trade slowed. However, the dollar/yen is no longer in an uptrend, and it is too early to consider the latest rebound in the pair as anything more than a relief rally off oversold levels. Overall, we remain cautious on a near-term basis until there is sufficient technical evidence of a durable low being set for the S&P 500.
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Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee return or eliminate risk.
Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment and does not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.
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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 research synopsis is the plan for your research project. It provides the rationale for the research, the research objectives, the proposed methods for data collection and recording formats and ...
Research Summary. Definition: A research summary is a brief and concise overview of a research project or study that highlights its key findings, main points, and conclusions. It typically includes a description of the research problem, the research methods used, the results obtained, and the implications or significance of the findings.
research project. It provides the rationale for the research, the research objectives, the proposed methods for data collection and recording formats and/or questionnaires and interview guides. The synopsis is based on the information provided by the supervisor(s) and by secondary sources of information. The full synopsis should be maximum 3 ...
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.
Figure1 shows an example of a title of synopsis. Fig1. Example of a title 3. LITERATURE REVIEW Literature review is the second session which is to be carried out in the identified area.The literature review is not just a list of the methods used/conclusions made byprevious studies.
So, follow the steps below to write a research summary that sticks. 1. Read the parent paper thoroughly. You should go through the research paper thoroughly multiple times to ensure that you have a complete understanding of its contents. A 3-stage reading process helps.
This is the referring session and you can also provide a list of all sources you have used in the process of referring or design of your synopsis or writing your synopsis including the research papers, books, academic studies, etc. All sources you have gone through during the synopsis preparation and updated about your topic and these all kinds ...
Table of contents. When to write a summary. Step 1: Read the text. Step 2: Break the text down into sections. Step 3: Identify the key points in each section. Step 4: Write the summary. Step 5: Check the summary against the article. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about summarizing.
The synopsis is based on the information provided by the supervisor(s) and by secondary sources of information. In the final report you will present the results of your data collection and elaboration, with the discussion and the conclusion. The full synopsis should be maximum 3-4,000 words, excluding appendices.
Introduction: Writing a research project synopsis or protocol is a crucial step in initiating any research endeavor. It serves as a blueprint that outlines the objectives, methods and anticipated ...
A synopsis is a brief summary of your research project, highlighting the main purpose, research methods, findings, and significance of your work. Writing a synopsis for scientific research is an ...
A synopsis is a brief summary which gives readers an overview of the main points. In an academic context, this is usually a summary of a text (a journal article, book, report etc) but in some instances you might be writing a synopsis of a talk, film or other form of presentation. A synopsis is a neutral summary, objectively capturing the main ...
The research synopsis is the plan for your research project. It provides the rationale for the research, the research objectives, the proposed methods for data collection and recording formats and/or questionnaires and interview guides. The synopsis is based on the information provided by the supervisor(s) and by secondary sources of 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.
A research summary is a type of paper designed to provide a brief overview of a given study - typically, an article from a peer-reviewed academic journal. It is a frequent type of task encountered in US colleges and universities, both in humanitarian and exact sciences, which is due to how important it is to teach students to properly interact ...
For example, an executive summary is a type of synopsis that is aimed at business professionals, while an abstract is a synopsis that is typically used in academic writing. Regardless of the type of synopsis that you are writing, the same basic principles apply. ... When it comes to reading articles or research papers, time is of the essence ...
Synopsis of research, the synopsis of a novel, and the synopsis of a movie etc. are summaries or outlines of researcher's work. It is always good to write these outlines in advance, but many writers develop synopsis in the end. Proposals on the other hand, has both summary and feasibility. It is better to use the word outlines instead of ...
A synopsis example can make it easier to understand how to summarize a larger piece of work. Luckily, you can find several tailored examples with our list. ... Research Synopsis Example. When it comes to academic research, the papers can get long. Therefore, these typically have a synopsis, formally called an abstract, at the beginning of the ...
guidelines: 2. Size of the paper should be A4 (8.5" x 11.5") except for maps, drawing, and graphs. 3. The text should be typed on one side of the paper leaving a margin of 4 cm on left hand. side ...
2. Introduce each main character and their character arc. A main character is usually a point of view character. A "character arc" means the way a character grows and changes throughout the story. (For a better understanding of this, you can check out my post on " What Is a Character Arc ," which includes examples.)
Here's a few steps on how to make a first draft: First, state the research question in the introduction of your summary. This holds the ground as to the summary's direction. Provide an explanation why your research is interesting and how it can help your target recipients. Second, state the hypothesis you wish to prove.
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 ...
Check out the Healthy People Employment literature summary to learn about the latest research on this social determinant of health. Skip to ... A. E., Kelly, K., & Stafford, J. (2008). Sexual harassment experiences and harmful alcohol use in a military sample: Differences in gender and the mediating role of depression. Journal of ...
The document proposes slashing federal money for research and investment in renewable energy, and calls for the next president to "stop the war on oil and natural gas".
Warning: Do not explore links or email addresses in the examples shown here as these are real-life examples. Keep Stanford alert! Follow the instructions to forward suspicious emails to the Information Security Office. For assistance, submit a Help request. Stay vigilant: Learn how to recognize, report, and stay vigilant with the Stay Safe From Phishing Scams Guide.
For example, compost improves soil structure and lime increases soil pH. Most soil amendments supply some plant nutrients and some compost and manure products double as fertilizers with a guaranteed nutrient analysis. Organic matter Soil organic matter (OM) is made up of living, dead, and decomposing plants, small animals, and microorganisms.
Summary of Soil Analytical Results NASA Ames Research Center KB59306-NASA MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc. 1 January 28, 2003 Area Building Location MACTEC Sample Number Sequoia Sample ID Results: Total Lead mg/kg Results: Leachable Lead mg/L West side of building, south end 020917024001 020917024002 020917024003 020917024004 020917024005
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in substantial changes to family life. This study examined associations between pandemic conditions and mothers' and fathers' food, physical activity, and media parenting practices and whether these associations were moderated by parenting styles and family functioning. Two independent samples of Canadian parents (nonpandemic n = 270; pandemic n = 357) self ...
To boil down the conclusion of our research into one simple message, don't panic. Pullbacks and corrections are quite common, even during a strong bull market. Over the last 70+ years, the S&P 500 has experienced an average maximum peak-to-trough drawdown of 13.7% during a calendar year, suggesting the current 8.5% drawdown is still below ...