Essential Synopsis Checklist

Here are the essential specs for a successful synopsis, according to Writer's Digest:

Use a 1-inch margin on all sides; justify the left margin only;
Put your name and contact information on the top left corner of the first page;
Type the novel’s genre, word count and the word “Synopsis” in the top right corner of the first page;
Don’t number the first page;
Put the novel’s title, centered and in all caps, about one-third of the way down the page;
Begin the synopsis text four lines below the title;
The text throughout the synopsis should be double-spaced (unless you plan to keep it to one or two pages, in which case single-spaced is OK);
Use all caps the first time you introduce a character;
After the first page, use a header on every page that contains your last name/your novel’s title in all caps/the word “Synopsis”:Name/TITLE/Synopsis;
After the first page, number the pages in the top right corner on the same line as the header;
The first line of text on each page after the first page should be three lines below the header,


A little thin, but otherwise sound. Here's what I would add:

• use the present tense;
• lead off with a strong hook sentence— anything that will grab the attention of your reader;
• paragraph only for broad transitions in your story;
• use no dialogue;
• quickly introduce your lead, the opposition, the romantic interest, and any other important characters, while setting up the story in terms of place and time;
• quickly state the conflict between your lead and the opposition; then state the lead’s story goal;
• stick to the high points of your lead’s main story line;
• do not include any subplots;
• move smoothly from one event to another; avoid the choppiness often seen in beginner’s synopsis— a result of having whittled down a longer synopsis without regard for smoothness of reading;
• use powerful verbs and few, if any, adverbs and adjectives;
• tell the entire story.