If you want to submit a book project, you can hardly avoid it: the Content summary in the synopsis. Nevertheless, it is precisely this part that causes uncertainty for many authors. How detailed can it be? Does the ending have to be included? And why does writing suddenly feel so dry? The content summary is not an obstacle, but a key tool. It not only shows what your story is about - but also whether it works in itself.

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The Summary of contents describes the complete storyline of your book. It is factual, clear and complete - including the resolution and ending. Unlike a blurb, it should Do not create tension, but to provide orientation.

Among other things, it is required for

• Publisher applications
• Agency enquiries
• Tenders and competitions
• Support programmes or scholarships
• partly also for series or serial concepts

Wherever someone needs to understand, like your story is structured - not just how it sounds.

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A simple but effective structure has proved its worth:

1. starting point

Here you describe the main character(s), their initial situation and the status quo at the beginning of the story. Who is the character? What world do they live in? What is their everyday life before anything changes?

2. conflict

Conflict is the driving force behind the plot. What throws the character's life off balance? Which decision, which event or which antagonist forces them to act? You can name both external and internal conflicts here - but clearly and without embellishment.

3. consistency

The most important point that is often forgotten: the end. How does the story unfold? What is at stake - and how is it resolved?

A content summary without consistency looks unfinished. Anyone reviewing your project wants to know where the journey is going.

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The exact specifications vary, but typical guidelines are:

• 1-2 standard pages
• often a maximum of 1,500-2,000 characters
• rarely more than 3 pages

More important than the length is the Precision. A good summary concentrates on the main line of the plot and dispenses with subplots, details or stylistic embellishments.

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Many authors are skilled at creating atmosphere, emotion and suspense. However, an exposé requires something else: Structure instead of style.

Typical stumbling blocks are

• formulations that are too vague or flowery
• the mixing of blurb and synopsis
• deliberate omissions („I don't want to spoil the ending“)
• Lack of focus on the core conflict

The point of the synopsis is not to impress - but to show that you have thought through your story.

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This is precisely where the Exposé function of Scribigo on. It helps to structure your story logically and reduce it to the essentials.

The function supports you with this, among other things:

• Clearly work out the starting point, conflict and consequence
• formulate the text in a factual and expository manner
• to make the common thread visible
• avoid unnecessary embellishments

The result is a summary of content that is comprehensible, complete and professional - without losing sight of its purpose.

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Conclusion

The content summary is not an annoying compulsory section, but the core of your synopsis. It shows that you know what you are telling, how your story is structured - and why it works. If you take the time to prepare this part properly, you will not only make it easier for others to decide on the project, but you will also gain clarity about your own story. And a good structure is crucial for this.