Synopsis or summary?
#1
Hail all!

I am in need of help. I've googled my ass off, and I'm still confused.

My question: What is the difference between a summary and a synopsis.

My initial thought was that a summary is a condensed version of the plot in a movie or book, and that a synopsis was a short 'presentation' of what the book/movie is about; the kind of blurb you find on the back of a book or a dvd case.

I gave my students an assignment where one of the tasks was to write a film review for a movie. A few students summarised the entire movie when all I wanted was a brief "synopsis". Obviously, if you want people to watch a movie, you don't spoil the ending. They did.

In a film analysis, on the other hand a "summary" is needed.

When writing my feedback to the students who spoiled the ending of the movie, I researched the word "synopsis" only to find some very different ideas about what this word actually means.

Does anyone here know the difference between the two words? The stuff on the back of a book; is that a synopsis or a summary? Is it neither?

Thanks!

Ask me about Norwegian humour Smile
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Messages In This Thread
Synopsis or summary? - by [wcip]Angel - 01-10-2012, 06:18 PM
RE: Synopsis or summary? - by Nystul - 01-12-2012, 09:39 AM
RE: Synopsis or summary? - by Jester - 01-12-2012, 09:57 AM
RE: Synopsis or summary? - by kandrathe - 01-13-2012, 03:48 PM
RE: Synopsis or summary? - by Rudra - 01-20-2012, 03:53 PM
RE: Synopsis or summary? - by kandrathe - 01-20-2012, 10:47 PM

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