Abstract vs. Synopsis: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
An abstract is a brief summary of a research paper or academic article, focusing on its purpose, methodology, and findings, while a synopsis is a condensed overview of a larger work's content, used in various contexts like books, films, or plays.
Key Differences
Abstracts are commonly used in academic and scientific papers to provide a concise summary of the research, including its purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. Synopses, however, are used in a broader range of contexts, such as literature, film, and theater, to give an overall view of the plot or content.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
An abstract focuses specifically on the key aspects of a research study, including its rationale, methodology, findings, and significance. A synopsis, conversely, offers a broader overview of a work's main themes, plot points, and characters, without delving into specific details.
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Dec 06, 2023
Abstracts are typically very concise, often limited to a few hundred words, and are strictly focused on the essential elements of a study. Synopses can vary in length and may provide a more detailed overview of the work's content.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
The purpose of an abstract is to enable readers to quickly ascertain the paper's relevance to their interests and decide whether to read the full document. A synopsis aims to provide a comprehensive summary that gives a clear idea of what the work is about, often used for promotional or explanatory purposes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
Abstracts in academic papers follow a structured approach, usually including background, methods, results, and conclusions. Synopses are less structured and more narrative in style, focusing on providing a cohesive and engaging overview of the work.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Content Focus
Purpose, methodology, results, significance of research
Plot, themes, characters
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Purpose
To inform about the paper’s relevance and findings
To provide an overall view or summary of the work
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Style and Structure
Structured, covering specific components of the research
Narrative, less structured, more focused on overall story
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Abstract and Synopsis Definitions
Abstract
Research Summary
The abstract outlined the study's main findings on climate change.
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Synopsis
Content Summary
She wrote a synopsis to summarize the key events in the history book.
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Dec 06, 2023
Abstract
Concise Description
The abstract provided a brief overview of the experimental methods used.
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Dec 06, 2023
Synopsis
Brief Overview
The film's synopsis was printed on the back of the DVD cover.
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Abstract
Essential Highlights
In the abstract, the key results of the research were highlighted.
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Synopsis
Narrative Outline
The synopsis captured the essence of the play's dramatic narrative.
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Dec 06, 2023
Abstract
Informative Preview
The conference paper's abstract offered an informative preview of its arguments.
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Dec 06, 2023
Synopsis
Plot Summary
The synopsis of the novel outlined its main storyline and characters.
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Dec 06, 2023
Synopsis
Work Preview
The synopsis provided a quick preview of the themes explored in the documentary.
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Dec 06, 2023
Synopsis
A brief outline or general view, as of a subject or written work; an abstract or a summary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Synopsis
(authorship) A brief summary of the major points of a written work, either as prose or as a table; an abridgment or condensation of a work.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Denoting something that is immaterial, conceptual, or nonspecific, as an idea or quality
Abstract words like truth and justice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Synopsis
A reference work containing brief articles that taken together give an overview of an entire field.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Having an intellectual and affective artistic content that depends solely on intrinsic form rather than on narrative content or pictorial representation
Abstract painting and sculpture.
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Oct 19, 2023
Synopsis
A general view, or a collection of heads or parts so arranged as to exhibit a general view of the whole; an abstract or summary of a discourse; a syllabus; a conspectus.
That the reader may see in one view the exactness of the method, as well as force of the argument, I shall here draw up a short synopsis of this epistle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To take away; remove
Abstract the most important data from a set of records.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To remove without permission; steal
A painting that was abstracted from the museum.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To consider (an idea, for example) as separate from particular examples or objects
Abstract a principle of arrangement from a series of items.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
(ăbstrăkt′) To write a summary of; summarize
Abstract a long article in a paragraph.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To create artistic abstractions of (something else, such as a concrete object or another style)
"The Bauhaus Functionalists were ... busy unornamenting and abstracting modern architecture, painting and design" (John Barth).
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Something that concentrates in itself the qualities of a larger item, or multiple items.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
(medicine) A powdered solid extract of a medicinal substance mixed with lactose.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
The theoretical way of looking at things; something that exists only in idealized form.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
(real estate) A summary title of the key points detailing a tract of land, for ownership; abstract of title.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Not concrete: conceptual, ideal.
Her new film is an abstract piece, combining elements of magic realism, flashbacks, and animation but with very little in terms of plot construction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Apart from practice or reality; vague; theoretical; impersonal; not applied.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
(grammar) As a noun, denoting a concept or intangible as opposed to an object, place, or person.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Difficult to understand; abstruse; hard to conceptualize.
The politician gave a somewhat abstract answer when asked about their plans to cut spending.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Separately expressing a property or attribute of an object that is considered to be inherent to that object: attributive, ascriptive.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Pertaining comprehensively to, or representing, a class or group of objects, as opposed to any specific object; considered apart from any application to a particular object: general, generic, nonspecific; representational.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
(arts) Pertaining to the formal aspect of art, such as the lines, colors, shapes, and the relationships among them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Free from representational qualities, in particular the non-representational styles of the 20th century.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Being a partial basis for subclasses rather than a complete template for objects.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To conceptualize an ideal subgroup by means of the generalization of an attribute, as follows: by apprehending an attribute inherent to one individual, then separating that attribute and contemplating it by itself, then conceiving of that attribute as a general quality, then despecifying that conceived quality with respect to several or many individuals, and by then ideating a group composed of those individuals perceived to possess said quality.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
(transitive) To consider abstractly; to contemplate separately or by itself; to consider theoretically; to look at as a general quality.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
(transitive) To draw off (interest or attention).
He was wholly abstracted by other objects.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To produce an abstraction, usually by refactoring existing code. Generally used with "out".
He abstracted out the square root function.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Considered apart from any application to a particular object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only; as, abstract truth, abstract numbers. Hence: ideal; abstruse; difficult.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Expressing a particular property of an object viewed apart from the other properties which constitute it; - opposed to concrete; as, honesty is an abstract word.
A concrete name is a name which stands for a thing; an abstract name which stands for an attribute of a thing. A practice has grown up in more modern times, which, if not introduced by Locke, has gained currency from his example, of applying the expression "abstract name" to all names which are the result of abstraction and generalization, and consequently to all general names, instead of confining it to the names of attributes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To withdraw; to separate; to take away.
He was incapable of forming any opinion or resolution abstracted from his own prejudices.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To draw off in respect to interest or attention; as, his was wholly abstracted by other objects.
The young stranger had been abstracted and silent.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To separate, as ideas, by the operation of the mind; to consider by itself; to contemplate separately, as a quality or attribute.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To take secretly or dishonestly; to purloin; as, to abstract goods from a parcel, or money from a till.
Von Rosen had quietly abstracted the bearing-reins from the harness.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To separate, as the more volatile or soluble parts of a substance, by distillation or other chemical processes. In this sense extract is now more generally used.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
To perform the process of abstraction.
I own myself able to abstract in one sense.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
That which comprises or concentrates in itself the essential qualities of a larger thing or of several things. Specifically: A summary or an epitome, as of a treatise or book, or of a statement; a brief.
An abstract of every treatise he had read.
Man, the abstractOf all perfection, which the workmanshipOf Heaven hath modeled.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
A state of separation from other things; as, to consider a subject in the abstract, or apart from other associated things.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
An abstract term.
The concretes "father" and "son" have, or might have, the abstracts "paternity" and "filiety."
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
A powdered solid extract of a vegetable substance mixed with sugar of milk in such proportion that one part of the abstract represents two parts of the original substance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
A concept or idea not associated with any specific instance;
He loved her only in the abstract--not in person
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Consider apart from a particular case or instance;
Let's abstract away from this particular example
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment;
Abstract words like `truth' and `justice'
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature;
A large abstract painting
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention;
Abstract reasoning
Abstract science
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstract
Academic Overview
Each journal article began with an abstract summarizing its content.
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Dec 06, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a synopsis be for a movie?
Yes, it summarizes the movie's plot and main points.
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Dec 06, 2023
What's included in an abstract?
Background, methodology, results, and conclusions of the study.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is an abstract always necessary?
In academic papers, it's usually required.
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Dec 06, 2023
What is a synopsis?
An overview of a work’s main content, like a plot or themes.
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Dec 06, 2023
Should an abstract include citations or references?
Generally, abstracts do not include citations or references; they focus on summarizing the content.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can a synopsis be several pages long?
Yes, depending on the work's complexity.
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Dec 06, 2023
Does every book have a synopsis?
Most have one, often used for promotional purposes.
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Dec 06, 2023
Should I include spoilers in a book or movie synopsis?
It's generally best to avoid major spoilers in a synopsis, as its purpose is to generate interest without giving away the entire plot.
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Dec 06, 2023
How long should an abstract be?
The length of an abstract typically ranges from 100 to 250 words, depending on the document's requirements.
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Dec 06, 2023
Why do publishers and agents request book synopses from authors?
Publishers and agents use book synopses to evaluate the potential of a manuscript and its marketability.
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Dec 06, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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