Summary vs. Synopsis: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Summary is a brief statement or account of the main points of something. Synopsis is a brief outline or overview of the main points of a text or narrative.
Key Differences
A summary is used to condense the main points or arguments of a piece of content. A synopsis, while similar, often serves as a brief overview of a narrative or story, focusing on the plot.
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Summaries can vary in depth but usually include key points and conclusions. Synopses are typically more focused on providing an overview of the story or content structure.
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In academic or professional contexts, summaries are used to simplify complex information. Synopses are often used in literary, film, or theater contexts to present a condensed version of the plot.
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A summary is generally shorter and can be structured flexibly to emphasize main points. A synopsis is more structured, following the chronological order of the narrative.
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Summaries are tailored for an audience familiar with the topic, providing a quick reference. Synopses are intended for an audience unfamiliar with the story, offering a preview without revealing too much detail.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Function
Condense main points or arguments
Provide an overview of a narrative or structure
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Detail Level
Can vary, often includes key points and conclusions
Focuses on plot without much detail
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Common Use
Academic, professional, and general contexts
Literary, film, and theatrical contexts
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Length and Flexibility
Generally shorter, flexible structure
Structured, often follows chronological order
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Target Audience
Intended for those familiar with the topic
Intended for those unfamiliar with the story
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Summary and Synopsis Definitions
Summary
An overview capturing the essence of a larger content.
The executive summary provided an outline of the business plan.
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Synopsis
An overview that gives a sense of the narrative's direction and structure.
The play's synopsis was provided in the program.
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Summary
A shortened version focusing on the main arguments or points.
The lecture's summary was helpful for exam preparation.
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Synopsis
A brief summary of a story, screenplay, or other narrative.
He read the book's synopsis before deciding to buy it.
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Summary
A condensed version of a document or speech's main points.
The meeting's summary highlighted key decisions and action items.
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Synopsis
A concise description of the main events in a story or film.
The synopsis of the movie revealed it was a thriller.
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Summary
A brief account giving the essential information about something.
He read a summary of the research article.
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Synopsis
An outline of the main elements of a plot or narrative.
The film's synopsis was printed on the back of the DVD cover.
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Summary
A concise representation of a longer piece of writing or speech.
The summary of the novel captured its main themes.
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Synopsis
A bird's-eye view of a narrative, capturing its essence without detail.
The synopsis on the back of the book intrigued many readers.
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Summary
A brief statement mentioning the main points of something
A summary of our findings.
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Synopsis
A brief outline or general view, as of a subject or written work; an abstract or a summary.
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Summary
Prose that provides information in a condensed format, as by mentioning only the most significant details of a narrative
The novelist did not like writing dialogue and preferred to write stories in summary.
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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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Summary
Presenting the substance in a condensed form; concise
A summary review.
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Synopsis
A reference work containing brief articles that taken together give an overview of an entire field.
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Summary
Performed speedily and without ceremony
Summary justice.
A summary rejection.
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Summary
Concise, brief or presented in a condensed form
A summary review is in the appendix.
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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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Summary
Performed speedily and without formal ceremony.
They used summary executions to break the resistance of the people.
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Summary
(legal) Performed by skipping the procedures of a standard and fair trial.
Summary justice is bad justice.
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Summary
An abstract or a condensed presentation of the substance of a body of material.
Make a summary of the events
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Summary
Formed into a sum; summed up; reduced into a narrow compass, or into few words; short; brief; concise; compendious; as, a summary statement of facts.
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Summary
Hence, rapidly performed; quickly executed; as, a summary process; to take summary vengeance.
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Summary
A general or comprehensive statement; an abridged account; an abstract, abridgment, or compendium, containing the sum or substance of a fuller account.
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Summary
A briefstatement that presents the main points in a concise form;
He gave a summary of the conclusions
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Summary
Performed speedily and without formality;
A summary execution
Summary justice
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Summary
Briefly giving the gist of something;
A short and compendious book
A compact style is brief and pithy
Succinct comparisons
A summary formulation of a wide-ranging subject
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is the main purpose of a synopsis?
The main purpose of a synopsis is to provide a condensed overview of a story's plot.
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When is a summary used?
Summaries are used in various contexts to condense complex or lengthy material.
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Should a summary include every detail from the original content?
No, a summary includes only the main points, leaving out most details.
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Who writes summaries?
Summaries can be written by anyone needing to condense content, from students to professionals.
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Who writes synopses?
Synopses are often written by authors, publishers, or marketers.
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What is a summary?
A summary is a brief statement that captures the main points of a larger piece of content.
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What is a synopsis?
A synopsis is a brief overview of the main points of a narrative, such as a book or film.
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Does a synopsis reveal the ending of a story?
Usually, a synopsis does not reveal the ending to avoid spoilers.
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Can a summary include opinions?
Summaries typically focus on facts and main points, not personal opinions.
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Is a synopsis the same as a review?
No, a synopsis outlines a story's plot, while a review includes evaluation and opinion.
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What is the difference between an abstract and a summary?
An abstract is a brief overview of a scholarly article, while a summary is a condensed version of various types of content.
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Are summaries subjective?
Summaries aim to be objective, focusing on the original content's main points.
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What skills are needed to write a good summary?
Writing a good summary requires understanding, condensing skills, and clarity.
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Are there different types of summaries?
Yes, summaries can be descriptive, informative, executive, etc., depending on their purpose.
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How long should a summary be?
The length of a summary varies but it's generally much shorter than the original content.
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Can a synopsis be used as a marketing tool?
Yes, synopses are often used to intrigue potential readers or viewers.
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Is it necessary for a synopsis to be in chronological order?
Typically, a synopsis follows the chronological order of the story for clarity.
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Should a synopsis include themes of the story?
A synopsis may hint at themes but focuses more on the plot.
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Can synopses be misleading?
While they should not be, some synopses can be misleading if they misrepresent the story's essence.
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Can a synopsis include character analysis?
A synopsis might briefly describe characters but usually doesn't include in-depth analysis.
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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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