A synopsis is a summary of the plot and character development of a book, movie, or other form of fictional fiction. It often identifies genre and sub-genre as well as the tone and theme of the story. It is typically written in the present tense.
Synopsis
The synopsis should reflect the most important aspects of the story and be one to two pages in length. It should include the genre, theme, and basic plot. However, the synopsis should not reveal spoilers. It should be geared toward distributors, who are looking for a short, concise description of the story, as well as its unique selling points.
The synopsis should also highlight the story’s rising action and the climax. It should be written in the third-person present tense, as this is the default. This style of writing will keep the reader interested and engaged. It should also match the tone of the author’s work.
A synopsis also helps an author in the editing process. It helps the author understand which scenes are important and in what order. By understanding the story’s sequence and plot, the author can simplify the structural edit process. The synopsis will also help the author understand what to emphasize in the novel and the order in which they should occur.
A synopsis is an essential part of the submission process. It does not need to be Proust-like, but it should be as effective as possible. For instance, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series has a synopsis that includes Harry’s unique and relevant attributes, behaviors, and quirks. By incorporating these elements into the synopsis, Rowling keeps the synopsis interesting and compelling.
A synopsis can vary in length. Some authors provide an extensive synopsis to potential publishers or editors. These synopses provide a comprehensive overview of the plot and key characters, and they may include a description of the tone and theme of the book. Others provide a short synopsis to promote their novel.
Characters in a synopsis
One of the most important elements in a synopsis is the characters. Each character must have a specific role and create conflict for the protagonist. Make sure that these details are clearly defined. If possible, use adjectives to describe each character’s personality traits, motivations, and actions. Also, try to give a brief description of the setting of the story.
When introducing characters in a synopsis, make sure that you include the most important points about their lives. Avoid mentioning unnecessary backstories and details about minor characters. Include only the information that is relevant to the plot. Once you have chosen the key plot points, you can move on to the next step: writing a synopsis.
Ideally, the synopsis should begin with the central issue or conflict. The central issue should be specific and address both internal and external costs. The reader should be able to identify with the character’s choices. Otherwise, he or she will be confused. Using the third-person viewpoint is better, as it uses a neutral voice that allows the audience to identify with the characters quickly and easily.
Besides plot, character arc and motivation should also be included in a synopsis. The motivations of the characters should be clear and reveal how the plot develops. The main character should have a clear emotional arc, while supporting characters should also have strong motivations. This will lend logic to the story.
Synopses can be long or short. The length depends on the audience and purpose. Many authors use a long synopsis to pitch a book to a publisher or an editor. A long synopsis will give the audience an overview of the plot, characters, theme, and tone.
Plot twists
The most memorable plot twists in novels and movies are often the ones that reveal something that the reader hasn’t expected. For example, a story’s ending may reveal that everything the characters have been through is just a dream. This twist is so common that it’s almost become a punchline, but authors are constantly inventing new ways to incorporate it. In the Twilight Zone, “The Midnight Sun” reveals that the Earth is actually moving away from the sun.
Plot twists can be used in a wide variety of genres. For instance, in the popular novel Life of Pi, a young boy named Pi is adrift for almost a year on the Pacific Ocean. He survives by spending time with a Bengal tiger, as well as a host of other zoo animals. The tiger ultimately symbolizes Pi and the story’s hero.
Plot twists should be organic, rather than forced into the story. They should also not be too close to the beginning of the story, as this can diminish the importance of the plot twist as the story progresses. Most successful plot twists occur in the second half or at the end of the story.
Another plot twist idea is to let the audience believe the protagonist was aligned with a good group until he learns that they are working with an evil organization. The protagonist then has to destroy the organization from within. In the book, Mr. Incredible unwittingly works for his archenemy, but not in the way he thought.
Plot twists come in many forms, and some are minor, while others are major. The goal is to surprise the reader and leave them guessing. In any case, a good plot twist should catch the audience off guard but still make sense in retrospect.
Present tense
In a present tense synopsis, events happen in the present rather than the past. The narrator of the story must keep track of events along the timeline without allowing the reader to become confused. When writing a synopsis, create a timeline for each character. If a character is travelling to different places, try to keep the number of trips between them to a minimum.
Writers sometimes find the present tense synopsis harder to write. It makes it harder to convey ideas and emotions. A writer might write a synopsis in the present tense, but then have the rest written in the past. This can lead to miscommunication. Listed below are some examples of present tense synopses.
Write in the present tense if you want to convey the mindset of your first-person character. This will help you get your reader into the story, giving them the ability to understand their focus. However, this form may limit the amount of time the story can take. You will also have fewer opportunities to introduce complex time-schemes, complex characters, and suspense in the narrative.
Writing in the present tense is more natural for people who casually tell stories. The present tense may sound informal and you may want to use quotes to emphasize the point. This style can work well in some cases, but it will generally not work well in a more descriptive piece of writing.
Writers should choose the right tense before writing. This style can help you write a concise synopsis. Present tense synopses make the narrative flow smoothly. Generally, present tense stories use two types of verb tenses – the simple present tense and the present progressive tense.
Third person
A third-person synopsis is a film’s plot summary. A third-person synopsis is similar to a novel synopsis, except it is written by one of the main characters. Typically, a third-person movie synopsis describes the main characters’ relationships. However, it is not always the case. In fact, a third-person film synopsis may include other details not included in the plot.
When writing a third-person synopsis, the writer must be clear about the characters’ relationship with the reader. It is very important to make the reader feel close to the characters. Using a third-person synopsis allows an author to do just that. While the point of view is flexible, it can also overwhelm the reader.
Another important part of a third-person synopsis is the setting and characters. You will want to explain what happens in the context of the setting and characters. Oftentimes, you will need to zoom in and out on a character’s perspective. A third-person synopsis can make the reader feel the conflict in the story, but it can also make readers feel the love, trust, and guilt of that character.
Another benefit of third-person narratives is the ability to tell more than one character’s story. This allows an author to make observations and commentary that other characters wouldn’t know. It also gives the reader a more complete picture of the story. Third-person narratives also give writers more flexibility, since they can switch from one character’s story to another character’s story. There are different types of third-person points of view, including limited third point of view and omniscient third point of view. The latter is a better way to let readers get inside a character’s mind.
Depending on the genre, the third-person story may have multiple main characters. Stories with multiple main characters require the ability to shift perspective and keep things hidden from the narrator. While this approach is useful for stories with multiple characters, a third-person story can be confusing if a protagonist is the main character.
