Trying to write a story synopsis is not a walk in the park.
After spending so much time bringing your story to life, squeezing everything into a short summary isn’t always easy.
Finance Strategist, Brendan Lowbridge puts it best, “Synthesising your thoughts is a great skill, and it takes real effort.”
From my experience, the issue is usually what to include, what to leave out, or how much detail is too much.
While we will get into it later, I need to say right off the bat that when writing your synopsis, you aren’t expected to retell every scene.
What you are meant to do is to show the heart of your story clearly while proving that your plot holds together from beginning to end.
In this guide, I’ll share practical tips to help you write a story synopsis that grabs attention and makes your story shine.
What Is a Story Synopsis?
A story synopsis is a short summary of your entire story, from the beginning right through to the ending.
Unlike a blurb, which is meant to spark curiosity without giving too much away, a synopsis tells the whole story, including the major twists and how everything is resolved. However, it is still not retelling the whole story.
A synopsis introduces the main characters, explains the central conflict, and shows how the events unfold.
One thing to note as you’re trying to write a story synopsis is that the goal is not to sound mysterious. It is to show that your story has a clear structure and a satisfying conclusion.
What Is a Story Synopsis For?
A story synopsis helps agents, publishers, editors, or contest judges quickly understand what your story is about without reading the entire manuscript first.
They often have hundreds of submissions to go through, so a strong synopsis gives them a clear idea of your plot, your characters, and whether your story holds together from start to finish.
Your synopsis is also useful for you because it can reveal plot holes, pacing issues, or character arcs that need a little more work.
Sometimes, you don’t notice those things until you’re forced to explain the story in a few hundred words.
So, it can be a surprisingly helpful editing tool before you ever send your manuscript out.
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Tips to Write a Story Synopsis
1. Focus on the main story, not everything happening
Like I said earlier, one of the major issues with writing a synopsis is that you find yourself wanting to include every single thing that happens in your book.
At least, that’s what happened the first time I tried.
So, I understand that temptation to want to tell everything, because you think that’s the best way to convince others about your story.
But you don’t need all that.
What matters is the core of the story: your main character, what they want, and what is standing in their way.
For example, if your story is about Esther (28, a stubborn journalist who refuses to back down from danger) trying to expose a corrupt politician, you don’t need to mention every side character or every article she writes.
You just say she investigates corruption, faces threats, and pushes forward despite pressure. That alone carries the weight of the story.
So instead of a play-by-play of her day like you might do in the story itself, just go straight to the point.
Tell the story like you are summarising a movie you just watched and you are already late for an appointment.
2. Write in third person and present tense
Even if your book is written in first person or past tense, your synopsis should always switch it up. Write it in third person and present tense like the story is happening right now.
So instead of saying “I went to London and discovered the truth,” you say something like, “Mike (35, a struggling private investigator) travels to London and uncovers a hidden secret about a missing child case.”
This might feel strange at first, especially if writing in the present tense or third person doesn’t come naturally to you.
But this is just the standard way editors expect it.
Once you get used to it, you will find that it is not as difficult as it seems.
3. Avoid passive language and keep it active
Passive language can make your synopsis sound flat and slow, which is something editors notice fast.
Besides the editors noticing, I’m sure you’d prefer your sentences to read like something is happening, not like things are just floating around.
So, for instance, instead of writing “The secret is revealed by the detective,” say, “The detective reveals the secret.”
Or instead of “The letter is discovered by the sister,” say, “The sister discovers the letter.”
You’ll agree with me that the latter sentences make your story come alive.
Plus, it makes it an enjoyable reading experience for the editors.
Therefore, ensure to carefully watch out for this when you are trying to write a story synopsis.
4. Introduce characters properly
Another thing to watch out for in writing your story synopsis is proper characterisations.
Your characters should not just appear in your synopsis like random names floating in space. The first time you mention them, make it clear who they are.
So you introduce them like this: Todd (40, a retired soldier with a violent past) or Lara (19, a university student hiding a major secret). After that first introduction, you can subsequently use their names normally.
For example, you might write: “Lara (19, a university student hiding a major secret) begins to notice strange changes in her dorm. She starts asking questions, and Todd warns her to stop digging.”
It helps the reader quickly understand who matters and why they matter without getting lost in too many details.
5. Always include the ending
This one surprises a lot of people, but like I mentioned earlier, a synopsis is not the place to be mysterious. You are not trying to hide the ending. You are actually showing that your story is complete and makes sense from beginning to end.
So if your main character gets justice, you say it. If they fail, you also say it. Your synopsis shouldn’t just end abruptly or in a cliffhanger.
For example, you can say something like, “In the end, Jennifer exposes the corruption, but loses her job in the process.”
It might feel like you are spoiling your own story, but that is exactly the point. When someone reads your synopsis, they should not be guessing what happens. They should already know.
So yes, when you write a story synopsis, think of it like explaining a full story to someone who needs the full picture.
After all, you’re trying to convince the editors or agents your story is worth publishing.
6. Use the right formatting
This part sounds small, but it matters more than you may think; it could make a difference between an accepted piece and a rejected one.
Most submissions expect a clean format like Microsoft Word, 12-point Times New Roman, single spaced.
Also, your synopsis should usually fall somewhere between 2 to 5 pages, though some places might want even shorter.
That basically means you should read their submission guideline and follow it to the letter.
So if an agent says “one page only,” you follow that. If they say “no strict limit,” you still keep it tight and readable.
And even if your writing is strong, messy formatting can distract from it. So keep it clean, simple, and easy on the eyes.
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Other Things to Note When Writing a Story Synopsis
- Avoid unnecessary backstory that does not affect the main plot.
- Do not include dialogue. Summarise what happens instead.
- Only mention key characters (usually 2–3). Others can be grouped as “friend,” “boss,” or “colleague.”
- Match your synopsis to your genre and keep the tone appropriate.
- Do not comment on the writing style, structure, or literary devices employed to write the story.
- Title it properly: either place your name and book title at the top left, or centre the book title with “Synopsis” beneath it.
Conclusion
Writing a story synopsis gets easier once you stop trying to include everything. As long as you focus on the main character, the main conflict, and how it all ends, it gets easier to write.
Ultimately, the goal is to keep it clear and simple, and let the story speak for itself without extra noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long should a story synopsis be?
It usually falls between 1 to 5 pages, depending on submission guidelines.
2. Should I include spoilers in a synopsis?
Yes. A synopsis should reveal the full story, including the ending.
3. What tense should I use when writing a synopsis?
Always use present tense, even if the story itself is written in past tense.
4. How many characters should I include?
Stick to the main ones, usually no more than three key characters.
5. Can I make my synopsis creative?
Yes, but aim for clarity first. Your synopsis should still be straightforward and easy to follow.
