1. SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
KEY Ingredients For Writing A Good Synopsis
Professor Uchechukwu Chris Okoro Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry
University of Nigeria
Nsukka.
Tel:

2. KEY INGREDIENTS OUTLINE 1. Formatting 2. Title of work 3. Introduction
4. Methodology
5. Results
6. Easy Language
7. Concise Writing

3. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
At the end of this presentation all Ph.D candidates may have learnt the key ingredients for writing good synopsis
All Candidates should be able to write their synopsis based on the title of their projects
Myself the presenter will be fulfilled

4. Successful synopsis means the title of thesis will be approved
INTRODUCTION
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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Title of the thesis should not exceed 25 words.
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.

9. 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)

10. 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

11. Use of appropriate statistical 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

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

13. 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.

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

15. 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

16. Thank You