Effective Ingredients for Writing a Synopsis

KEY Ingredients For Writing A Good Synopsis Uchechukwu Chris Okoro Professor of Chemistry University of Nigeria Nsukka.

Key Ingredients 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Formatting Title of work Introduction Methodology Results Easy Language Concise Writing

Key Points Undoubtedly a research student must have acquired reasonable results if not all results before embarking on synopsis writing. Written synopsis must be presented to a committee of school of postgraduate studies for consideration. Successful synopsis means the title of thesis will be approved

Synopsis is a summary of research work carried out presented following a particular guideline

Number/Quantities All numbers from 1-9 should be written in words whereas from 10 and above should be written in figures (Arabic numerals) Designation of signatories in brackets -Entire text should not exceed two pages of A4 -Should be justified

Formatting Strict adherence to existing guideline Poor formatting can lead to outright rejection of synopsis Preliminary student s particulars Body of synopsis following the pattern of IMR I Introduction M Methodology R Results

Title of Thesis Title of the thesis should not exceed 25 words. The title should capture the subject matter. Student should work with the supervisor on the choice of title where applicable.

Introduction Explanation of any key word(s) in the title where applicable. Background of the study (No Referencing) Knowledge gap Aim Specific objectives (Itemised in Roman Numerals)

Methodology Design of the study How the work was carried out Equipment and specification where applicable Area of Study, Population, Sample and Sampling procedure/Technique The Instrumentation and Data Analysis Statistics

Results Systematic presentation of results to correspond with the specific objectives in sequence No discussions, recommendations, suggestions, implications or conclusions Use of appropriate statistical results Results should capture major findings of the study without preambles

Easy Language/ Concise Writing Short words Short sentences No jargon Avoid figures of speech and idioms Active better than passive

Passive vs active Passive: Research has been cited to demonstrate that an estimated 20% of primary school children are developing reading problems. Active: Researches estimate that up to 20% of primary school children have reading problems.

Writing it plainly Not this: Scintillate, scintillate, diminutive celestial body This: Twinkle, twinkle little star

Write it plainly Not this Nothing of great significance is achieved by becoming lachrymose over precipitately departed lactose fluid. This: Don t cry over spilled milk

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