# Synopsis > A compact prose telling of the full story — including the ending — used in coverage, applications, and pitch materials. Also known as plot synopsis ## In practice Write the synopsis as a complete plot report, including the ending. Decision-makers use it to judge whether the story closes, not whether you can withhold a twist. Causal clarity beats stylish fog; if a turn feels unmotivated on the page, it will feel worse across a full runtime with an audience. Keep voice clean and third-person present unless guidelines say otherwise. Compress set pieces into what changes for the protagonist, not how every punch lands on screen. Character names should stay consistent with the script so coverage notes map back to the right roles without translation work. Update the synopsis after structural rewrites, not after every polish pass. Pair it with the current logline and keep both beside the draft in Plot so contest packets and room materials do not drift from the pages you are actually defending when questions start. ## Try it in a free tool - [Free Fountain screenplay outline extractor](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-outline-extractor): Turn Fountain sections, synopses, scene headings, and opening action into an ordered visual story map with clean Markdown export. ## Common questions ### How long is a typical synopsis? Often one to three pages depending on the ask. Contests and coverage may specify length — follow their cap, then spend the space on turns and the ending. ### Can I leave the ending out to protect spoilers? Usually no. Synopses are judged on completeness. If you hide the landing, readers cannot tell whether Act Three earns the premise. ### Should the synopsis match the shooting draft beat for beat? It should match the story you are submitting now. Minor polish differences are fine; a different midpoint is a different submission. ### How is a synopsis different from a one-pager? A one-pager sells promise and context on a single sheet. A synopsis reports the full plot, ending included, for readers who need decision-ready clarity. ## Related terms - [Logline](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/logline): One or two sentences that capture protagonist, conflict, and stakes — the shortest honest pitch of the story. - [Treatment](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/treatment): A present-tense prose summary of the story — usually a few to several pages — used to pitch and develop before a full script exists. - [Coverage](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/coverage): A professional reader’s report on a script — logline, synopsis, comments, and a verdict such as Pass / Consider / Recommend. Inkwell’s Script Coverage skill produces a structured self-review in that industry shape. - [One-pager](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/one-pager): A single-page pitch document: logline, short overview, and why the project matters now — used to open doors before anyone reads ninety pages. --- Canonical page: