Have you ever told friends about your favorite book? Or did a friend tell you what the latest movie is about? All of these are verbal synopses that overview about the Plot give a story. At school, synopses are given in written form written. But how exactly does that work?
One synopsis is the summary a text, for example a newspaper article, a novel or a short story. Sometimes synopses of films, plays or radio plays are also written. They explain the main points of the plot as well characters the main plot and the central one theme. Although synopses are a type of text in their own right, they are often also part of another text, such as an interpretation or an analysis of a factual text.
Characteristics of a table of contents
You can add a synopsis to certain characteristics recognize. Your own synopsis should also contain these characteristics to meet the requirements:
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Contents are always brief and factual. on ratings or your own opinion is to be avoided.
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That Present is the tense for table of contents.
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Dialogues will (if necessary) indirect in the conjunctive played back.
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Contents consist only of your own words and do not use any quotes.
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They name the most important actions in more chronological order, i.e. in the same way as they take place in the original work.
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Synopsis should be substantial shorter be than the original work. If you are not sure how much you are allowed to write, it is best to ask the teachers!
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A synopsis is not a review. That means she also reveals how End looks.
In contrast to advertising flap texts or cinema programmes, synopses in schools are not used to tension build up. the language is sober and thorough and dispenses with flowery embellishments. Everything relevant is mentioned, which means that the end is also reported.
Writing a synopsis – preparation
Before you start writing your synopsis, you should prepare yourself sufficiently prepare. Regardless of whether it is a text, a film or, for example, a radio play, you should definitely be familiar with the original work of your synopsis. It’s best if you can anytime Access and you can watch or listen to it again and again.
Before you tackle your synopsis, there are a few things you can do to help you find your way around.
make markings
mark in the text passages that seem relevant to you. In this way, you can quickly find what is important and do not lose track of things so easily. It is best to use different ones for this Colours. For example, you can match them to the actions of different characters.
Create section headings
Now you can put the text in sections of meaning subdivide You can either do it by paragraph, by page, or categorize it yourself as you see fit. In the case of films, for example, you could scenes to name. Then you create suitable ones for each of these scenes headlines. The headings should summarize the sections so that you can remember what’s happening later without having to read everything again. The best thing to do is to ask yourself the following questions:
note bullet points
You start off with the main plot in bullet points to write down. You can use the markings in the text as well as the section headings as a guide. The structure in bullet points makes it easier for you to sort individual actions again if the order is not correct.
Alternatively, you can also use one mind map Create that clearly shows everything important. It will help you better understand the original work and its plot aspects. But make sure to number the individual steps so that you don’t mix them up later.
carry out control
Before you write your synopsis, you should check whether you can answer the most important questions. If this is not the case, you can add the missing points.
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When does the action take place (year, season, time of day) and what time periods does it span?
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Where does the action take place?
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Who are the main characters and how do they relate to each other?
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What exactly happens and what are the consequences of the individual action steps?
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Why do the characters act the way they act?
If you give reasons for action, only describe what is explicitly mentioned in the text. Don’t ask assumptions and avoid interfering with characters’ actions interpret.
Writing a synopsis – structure
Each synopsis follows a specific one Construction, so that it has structure and is clear for readers. This is divided into three sections:
- introduction
- Bulk
- Ending
Introduction to a synopsis
In the introduction the most important information about the reference work within a base set or also called the core sentence. Sometimes it can be difficult to fit all the information into one sentence, so you can also make a few sentences. Basic information includes:
- title
- Author of the work
- Type of text/other genre of the work (e.g. family film)
- Publishing year
- action time
- scene of action
- central theme/key message
The fairy tale «Little Red Riding Hood» by the Brothers Grimm goes back to a collection of French fairy tales by Charles Perrault, which was created between 1695 and 1697. It’s about Little Red Riding Hood, a girl in a red cap who is sent to the forest to live with her grandmother, where she falls for the ruse of a bad wolf.
Body of a table of contents
in the Bulk The synopsis summarizes the plot of the text chronologically and as precisely as possible. This part is the core of a table of contents, so there are a few things to consider here as well.
First, describe the initial situation. Which one conditions prevail at the beginning? In which time and on which one location does the plot play? If you have brought the initial situation closer to the readers, you now describe the individual action sections. It is best to orientate yourself on the headings and the key points that you created in your preparation.
Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother lives deep in the forest and is bedridden, so Little Red Riding Hood should bring her a basket with cake and wine. Before Little Red Riding Hood sets off, the mother urgently warns her to be careful and not to lose her way.
Now Little Red Riding Hood walks off and…
In the next step, consider: Why do the protagonists act the way they do? which Goals are pursued? name them motives, they should be known, but avoid your own speculation. Depict the full main story. You don’t have to go into less important subplots, but the end should be described.
end of a table of contents
At the end of your table of contents you can, for example linguistic properties enter that you particularly noticed. If your task allows it, you can do that too Effect of the original work to describe the reader or to possible intentions of the author.
The fairy tale «Little Red Riding Hood» can be interpreted in different ways. On the one hand it deals with the danger of violent attacks on young girls and represents a warning. On the other hand it contains a contrasting representation of the role of the man, which manifests itself on the one hand as a big, bad wolf and on the other hand as a helpful hunter and protector.
Contents do not always have a conclusion. First check whether your task asks for it. If you are unsure, you can ask a teacher for advice.
Tips for your synopsis
The structure is the basic building block of a table of contents. But there are other tips that you can use to improve your text a little:
- Don’t dwell on the details, just focus on them main aspects. You’re not writing a retelling, you’re writing a synopsis!
- If a flashback is described, use that Perfect.
- Despite factual spelling, it is possible changeable to write. For example, use different verbs and sentence beginnings.
- Pay attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation. Check your text before submitting it!
Table of Contents – The Most Important
- A synopsis summarizes the complete main story of a text, film, play or radio play. This includes the end of the story.
- She describes the most important ones characters and action steps.
- The structure of a table of contents is divided into an introduction, a main part and a conclusion. In the introduction the most important information about the original work is supplied. Of the Bulk contains the description of the action and in the Ending you can, for example, address linguistic peculiarities.
- The individual steps are in chronological, i.e. temporal, order.
- Table of contents will be in Present, thorough and from the perspective of 3rd person written.