How is a synopsis different from Precis?

SYNOPSIS

A synopsis is a condensed and shortened version of an article, research paper, a chapter of the book, a report, or a book itself. A synopsis highlights in brief all the important features of the original document. Normally, a synopsis is required to be submitted to universities when research proposals, dissertations and theses are proposed to be written by researchers. In a synopsis, the researcher is required to highlight the purpose, scope, method, significance of the research and the research gap that determines the objective of the research. A synopsis also provides the general plan of the entire work and tries to establish its importance in the relevant field.

PRECIS

A précis is a brief, original summary of the important ideas given in a long selection. Its aim is to give the general effect created by the original selection. It is a concise and lucid summary that avoids all unnecessary details (including illustrations, amplifications, and embellishments) in favor of reproducing the logic, development, organization and emphasis of the original. Retaining the substance of a fuller statement, it seeks to articulate another author’s thoughts by extracting the maximum amount of information and carefully conveying it in a minimum number of words.