The six-par synopsis

Helen Corner-Bryant helps you complete your submission package

Last month I took you through how to write a cover letter in preparation for your submission package. This month it’s all about the sixparagraph synopsis. Authors seem to dread writing these but if you look at it objectively – knowing what vital elements an agent or editor will be looking out for – hopefully it’s not too daunting.

Why do I need a synopsis?

The primary function of a synopsis is to outline the main plot and the protagonist’s emotional arc, mapped against the story’s underlying cause-and-effect structure. Not only is this a great way to demonstrate that you can shape a full-length novel, the synopsis can also be used to diagnose any issues with plot/structure, or to test a project in development.

NB: Authors tend to shy away from outlining the ending but if you’ve entitled it clearly an agent can decide whether or not they want to invite any spoilers.

A synopsis on a page

• Format: one page, single-spaced, written in present tense, with paragraph breaks and no tabs and lots of clean space in the margins. You’ll want to include your title, author name, genre, and word length, all left-justified, and at the top, the heading: SYNOPSIS.

• The purpose is to outline your main character and what happens to them throughout the story, omitting minor characters and plot points unless they directly impact on the character/story. A synopsis does not have to follow events in the story sequentially.

• how the interweaving of the external plot arc (what happens to the character) and the emotional internal arc (how they are affected and how they react to events) throughout the synopsis.

• Use the three-act graph as a structure to provide an industry-standard shape to your novel.

A synopsis in six paragraphs (or thereabouts) Act I:

• First paragraph: set-up, introducing your main character

and their central problem/quest/goal, inciting event

Act II:

• Second paragraph: first tension peak

• Third paragraph: second tension peak

• Fourth paragraph: third tension peak. These peaks should all be rising in tension. Please note that in your story you can have multiple rising tension peaks but in your synopsis you should show a minimum of three.

• Fifth paragraph: high point and low point/rug-pulling moment for the character

Act III:

• Sixth paragraph: the plot climax, where the protagonist

confronts or overcomes their central problem/goal, and a satisfying resolution (which doesn’t have to be happy).

In summary, this shape can fit all genres, and once you have all the plot points roughly in place, you can play around with the structure to suit your novel. For instance, what if half of your book is in Act 1 with character set-up or world building? That’s fine in terms of the story itself. In your synopsis, however, you should condense this into one paragraph. And what happens when a story has more than one POV character, with more or less equal share in the novel? Try a more overarching shape. You could have a mini synopsis/three-act graph for each character and then combine these to produce a mainframe synopsis.

Synopsis vs blurb

Some writers prefer a more blurb-like summary of their book. This is fine too! But don’t confuse this with a blurb which has teasers and is hard to get right. If an agent sees this in a synopsis: ‘he discovers a magical key which unlocks all the secrets’, for example, they may get frustrated. They’ll want to know which secrets were unlocked and the consequences for the plot and character(s).

Lastly, try to ignore the nagging feeling that you’re plotting by numbers. The synopsis structure works and can be fun.