WRITING TERM-PAPER SYNOPSIS: GROUND RULES
WHAT IS IT?
Synopsis is a brief outline of your future paper. It is for displaying the reader what your subject and topic is, it's importance,
and how you intend to proceed with your paper. It should present a
thesis that will assert your main argument. It is also expected to give
the reader an idea of the information you plan to use to make that
argument, and the general organization of the following discussion.
WHAT SHOULD IT CONTAIN?
1) Abstract (one paragraph) + Key words (5-7)
2) Introduction (1-2 pages)
Introduction should reflect the following points:
Very broadly, a subject is described as the area of knowledge covered in the paper, while a topic is a category within the subject. A thesis
is a sentence that expresses the main idea of the text presenting it in
the form of judgment, opinion or overview. The thesis may be in the
form of a hypothesis, or assumption about a possible relation between
two variables. The rest of the paper, the body of the synopsis (and
incidentally, the finished work), gathers and organizes evidence that
is to persuade the reader of the logic of your judgment, opinion or
interpretation.
Correspondingly, your synopsis should begin with an introductory section that presents the subject, topic and thesis. It must also describe the significance, or topicality
of you work, explaining why your thesis is important and worth
considering and the questions you pose are worth answering. It must
also identify the novelty, stressing the original contribution to your field of knowledge that you hope to make, and the relevance of your study, that is, its relation to the most topical issues of your subject; and also, perhaps, the practical applicability of your expected findings.
The introductory section must also present the general purpose and specific tasks and objectives of
your study, in other words, a clear description of what you intend to
do in your work and what you hope to achieve. Tasks and objectives
should be sufficiently specific, achievable and relevant.
The synopsis should contain some preliminary notes on your future literature review,
that is, any reading you have already done and/or propose to do in the
field, referring to key writings by prominent scholars as well as the
most recent publications that may serve as the foundation of your own
effort. Ideally, you will demonstrate that you are aware of the main
ideas, controversies and issues raised in relevant literature on your
topic and are familiar with the latest findings in your area.
You may also see fit to include some thoughts on methodology,
suggesting one or more appropriate scientific methods which you plan to
use in developing your argument, or proving your hypothesis. These may
include library research, internet research, interviews, observations,
statistics, etc.
Finally, you may add some thoughts concerning the findings
you expect to obtain, explaining what you hope your research will
achieve that will amount to your original scientific contribution to
the subject area under investigation.
3) Main body (5 pages) outlines the main points of your research
4) Conclusion (1 page) summarizes the main findings
5) References (1-2 pages) contain the list of the works cited.
6) Appendix (optional) presents the data in tables, pictures, graphs, charts and so on.
WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
The Synopsis should be submitted according to the following format:
- The Synopsis must contain 7-10 A4 size pages, computer-printed with 1,5 space, on one side of each page.
- The font should be Times New Roman size 14.
- The title page must contain the title, your name and the names of your supervisors with their signatures indicating approval of your work.
- All pages following the title page must be serially numbered.
- The document must have margins: 35 mm at left side, 10 mm at right side, 20 mm at top and bottom of each page.
- It must not contain any typographical errors or spelling mistakes.
