Outline or Synopsis?

[(grasshopper)]

Some agents say they want an outline, and some say they want a synopsis.

Can someone tell me the difference?

[rugcat]

A synopsis is just that: a condensed version of your ms. An outline tends to be a lot looser, more of a description of the work. An editor might, for example, ask for an outline of a projected sequel that hasn't yet been written.

However, I think agents tend to use the two terms interchangeably.

As always, I could be mistaken.

[writingmom]

I still cant figure that one out myself.
Confused & Dumbfounded !

[Sage]

I was under the impression that an outline was a chapter-by-chapter synopsis of your novel. I'm pretty sure it's meant to be more detailed. Then again, I have yet to submit to an agent who wants one, & I could be way off.

[sunandshadow]

I was under the impression that an outline was a chapter-by-chapter synopsis of your novel. I'm pretty sure it's meant to be more detailed. Then again, I have yet to submit to an agent who wants one, & I could be way off.

I agree with this. Outlines have chapters, and are longer than synopses. Synopses describe the overall picture and the whys behind thins rather than all the steps in chronological order.

[WildScribe]

Good to know. Thanks, everyone! *hands out cookies*

[Annwyn]

Yup that's pretty much it, an outline is a chapter by chapter run through of the novel that is long. A synopsis is a pain in the *coughasscough* and should be between 2 to 5 pages generally for fiction novels. You need to solve all cliff hangers and reveal all plots but you don't need to mention every single character or every single subplot in the synopsis. There are some goods sites for writing synopsises but pretty much trust your instinct on it. It should tell the story in a condensed few pages and make the reader want to read the entire MS. If it doesn't - go back and write it again!

[(grasshopper)]

So . . . . . . . .

Would it be fair to say that, in general, if I wrote a synopsis for each chapter, I would end up with an outline?


I did a google search for manuscript outlines but did not get any hits that showed examples. Any help would be appreciated.

[Julie Worth]

A synopsis is a pain in the *coughasscough* and should be between 2 to 5 pages generally for fiction novels.

In the US, the most common length is one page (single spaced). And calling your book a "fiction novel" could mean instant rejection.

[stormie]

Synopsis can be 2-4 pages, single spaced. Can be told in the present tense. Must have an ending.

Outline is just that, what you wrote in high school or college. Must include ending. Can be 2-4 pages.

They are not interchangeable terms; they are completely different. Don't worry about them unless you're asked for one.

I find synopses (plural spelling) easier to write. But that's just me. :)

[(grasshopper)]

Whoa!! Hold on a minute.

Stormie, you're saying that my outline should have things like Big "I" headings and under them Big "A" and then little "i" and then little "a" (and don't forget that you must always devide the heading with at least TWO subheadings) and so on, just like in high school?

Holy Mackeral!
I'm sorry, but I have to assume you're talking about something else, right?

Which brings up an interesting point. How does one format an outline?
I was under the impression that it would look just like a synopsis but with more paragraphs.

[PeeDee]

*reads thread*

*head reptures*

*goes off to write*

[aliajohnson]

Oh crap. I've seen them used interchangeably by agents. Sooo, when one asked me for a more detailed outline with my partial (and because the agency's website said detailed summary--or maybe synopsis) I sent her a longer synopsis. Have I officially shot myself in the foot then?

[farfromfearless]

I have no experience in this matter so take my comments with a grain of salt; however my impression is that it probably wouldn't hurt to ask your agent what they expect in terms of format for either outline or synopsis. I have seen many different examples of both that vary in format and structure - so I can see the difficulty in determining what is the accepted format, let alone which (synopsis or outline) is expected.

[ChunkyC]

An outline for a work of fiction can be greatly varied. Mine are usually chapter by chapter and run anywhere from 15 to 30 pages or more. I often include notes to myself that lead me to more detailed info in other documents I've created for the book, such as character profiles. But that's an outline for my use while writing and revising the book.

As for what an agent wants when asking for an outline, you want to walk them through a summary of the entire story in greater detail than a synopsis, but both should tell the whole story. In an outline, I would suggest you include your chapters, parts etc., since I would think they'd want to see how you've structured the book. As mentioned above, looking at it as a collection of chapter synopses can help.

A synopsis, as mentioned above, should be a much shorter, linear summary of the book. They're tough to write (I don't think I've even come close yet ;) ), but I've heard suggested it might help to think of it as a speech where you basically tell someone the story from start to finish in five minutes.

[stormie]

Whoa!! Hold on a minute.

Stormie, you're saying that my outline should have things like Big "I" headings and under them Big "A" and then little "i" and then little "a" (and don't forget that you must always devide the heading with at least TWO subheadings) and so on, just like in high school?

Holy Mackeral!
I'm sorry, but I have to assume you're talking about something else, right?

Which brings up an interesting point. How does one format an outline?
I was under the impression that it would look just like a synopsis but with more paragraphs.

I've done my outlines that way. No problems on the other end. Whatever works for you and the editor or agent. I find synopses inifinitely easier to write.

[verbie]

I've been under the impression that an outline is actually what is required to pre-sell a non-fiction book--it can be as much as fifty pages long, and will even contain expected photos and side bars.

A synopsis is just the overview - reader's digest version - of the novel. Some agents request a brief synopsis and the first five pages when responding to your query, then follow up with a request for more. I've been asked to see another five chapters, from one agent; the other asked to see the entire manuscript. Both requested a "complete synopsis" at that point. BTW - still looking for an agent. :)

[UrsusMinor]

Synopses are more usual in fiction, but at least a couple of publishers--Medallion and Midnight Ink--ask for outlines. Indeed, Midnight Ink asks for both a synopsis and an outline.

Agents usually want to see synopses, and most of them say the shorter the better. What passes for a synopsis with many agents is almost like back-cover copy.

An outline of a novel? Lord preserve me from ever having to construct one!

[(grasshopper)]

As for what an agent wants when asking for an outline, you want to walk them through a summary of the entire story in greater detail than a synopsis, but both should tell the whole story. In an outline, I would suggest you include your chapters, parts etc., since I would think they'd want to see how you've structured the book. As mentioned above, looking at it as a collection of chapter synopses can help.


You know, I've always thought about it differently. Instead of an agent wanting to see how you've structured the story, I've assumed that the agent just wants to see if you've come up with some kind of story at all. My guess is that they've seen people who write brilliant, eloquent paragraphs and chapters, but have no idea of what a plot is or how to implement one into a satisfying, complete story.

So if the outline goes:

1. Jack and Jill go up a hill.
2. They fetch a pail of water.
3. Then they come down the hill again.

That might make the agent say to himself, "????"
But then:

1. Jack and Jill go up a hill.
2. They fetch a pail of water.
3. But then Jack falls down and breaks his crown.
4. And Jill runs to his rescue.
5. She tends his wounds and then, with heroic strength, she risks life and limb to carry him through perilous terrain.
6. But eventually she falls to her knees in total exhaustion, unable to move another inch.
7. Suddenly a hungry tiger lunges at them from a tree.
8. But then (some miracle happens) and they are rescued at the very last second.

Which might make the agent say to himself, "Now, at least that's a story"


I secretly suspect that this ability to write eloquent paragraphs without writing an actual story is one big reason (probably the main reason) a request for a full ends in rejection.

[farfromfearless]

Send your agent a series of pictographs and a Rosetta stone and see what comes back :D

[stormie]

An outline of a novel? Lord preserve me from ever having to construct one!
Not a pretty sight when I have to do one. I'm better at constructing synopses.