How to write Synopsis for a Thesis Project
This article would be of great interest to the Final year Architecture students. Writing a Synopsis determines your level of understanding of the chosen topic as your Thesis Project. In this article, we will list out and discuss different steps in which one should proceed with writing a Synopsis.
Thesis Project 1. Introduction 2. Motivation 3. Objectives and Scope and Limitations 4. Description of the research work 5. Conclusions/Summary of the work 6. List of Case studies 7. List of references/literature case studies for thesis research work 8. Identification of the project site
Introduction
Briefly explain the Architectural/technological/social relevance or significance of the research work of your thesis topic. Be precise and include only relevant background material in the introduction. Provide information on past works by way of giving appropriate references.
It should not exceed two pages.
Motivation
Develop further on the background material provided in the introduction and bring the subject of thesis in the chosen area of research in to focus. Emphasize, based on the content status, the importance of the research problem identified. Should broadly indicate the existing drawbacks and why further research is required to eliminate the drawbacks and find new architectural solutions. Identification of these should be brief and can be out of the scope of the Thesis subject but has to be relevant. You can enumerate those technical challenges one has to address to solve the problems/drawbacks posed herein to place emphasis on the quality of the research work. This should not exceed two pages.
Objectives and Scope and Limitations
State precisely the questions for which the answers are sought through this thesis work. Define the conceptual, analytical, experimental and/or methodological boundaries within which the exercise will be carried out. Admit with clarity the limitation of such a research and difficulties involved. It should not exceed two pages.
Description of the research work
Keeping in mind the limitations and difficulties, identify the precise architecturally relevant area and extent of research that is attempted by you. Detailed explanations of the drawbacks/problems identified for which you are seeking possible architectural solutions. Explain in detail how the case studies will help in resolving the drawbacks/problems identified. Clear the role of literature studies/observations/experiments/questionnaires. Define with clarity the detailed methodology to be adopted that will lead you towards the Architectural solutions. Explain in detail how you are specifically equipped to deal with the research and find Architectural solutions. It should not exceed 10-12 pages.
Conclusions/Summary of the work
Highlight major conclusions you are working towards. Clearly bring out not only the generally useful advantages arising out of the work but also the architectural advancement you are seeking through this Thesis work. If there are no conclusions at the moment, then enumerate the possible contributions of the work. Maximum two pages.
List of Case studies
List the probable Case Studies and the relevant areas of study possible in them. Indicate clearly why you have chosen the particular case for study. Make a mention of the ease/difficulty of approach and obtaining information from the case studies. Also give the time frame required for each case study. It should not exceed one page.
List of references/literature studies for thesis research work
List the publications/books you have already identified for your literature study. List only published or accepted books/papers. Never claim contents of the publications/books as your own. Always give credit where it is due. Maximum one page.
Identification of Project site
The student has to identify a possible and suitable site for the proposal where the conclusions and solutions can be carried out. The project site may or may not be a live project but should definitely be suitable for the chosen project. Maximum one page.
Abstract Writing Guidelines
Abstract Writing What is an abstract? The abstract is a mini-version of the thesis. It should give a brief summary of the main sections of the paper. In other words, it is a summary of the "information" the thesis contains. Its purpose: To give readers a quick identification of the basic content of the thesis. It should "stand on its own" and be a self-contained document. There should be no need to look elsewhere in the thesis for an understanding of what is said in the abstract. Length: The abstract should be very concise - the maximum length being 50% of one page (outside of the header formatting and keywords line). This means you will need to economise your use of words and tie ideas together. Use the most precise and relevant words to best express the content of the abstract. Abstracts that are too long will have to be re-written. Content: The abstract can be written as one large paragraph, or for easy reading you can use paragraphs for each section of the content. Paragraph 1 should contain your objectives and scope, Paragraph 2 a description of the methods used, Paragraph 3 a summary of the results, and Paragraph 4 a statement of the main conclusions. Other considerations: The abstract is usually written in the past tense because the research is already done. In other words, write the thesis first! While first person ("I", "we") may be used in the body of your thesis, you must use third person (passive) in the abstract.
DO NOT include abbreviations or acronyms in your abstract if you can help it, but if you must, don't use them without explaining them first. For example, the first time you use the abbreviation you must write out the full form and put the abbreviation in brackets. e.g. "Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)" From then on you may use "MRI" for the duration of the abstract. DO NOT use headings for your abstract paragraphs. (e.g. Objectives, Methods, Results and Conclusions) Keep your abstract clear and simple - you are trying to show the key points of your thesis to attract interest. Always check your grammar, spelling, and formatting. Please use either British English spelling conventions or American English spelling conventions throughout your abstract, but not both. Remember: The abstract is the first thing a reader reads. It is an indication of the quality of your thesis and what is to come for the reader. Impressions drawn from the reading of the abstract greatly impact the reading of your thesis. Using some of language samples below that; for example, introduce the different sections of the abstract, will help make the abstract easier to read and more clear to the reader. These are examples only - use must use the language correctly in the proper context and for the correct purpose. Other words objective aim intention purpose goal target OBJECTIVE(S) The purpose of this study was to investigate... Another aim was to find out... Finally, ... was examined in the study. METHOD(S) (X) method was applied. (Eg. quantitative/qualitative - both/other?)
The study/survey/thesis/questionnaire/opinion poll...examined, inspected, focused on, was conducted, carried out, sent out, administered (see list of more descriptive verbs) Questionnaires were sent out/administered... ( X number) responses were received RESULT(S)/CONCLUSION(S) The results of the study were that... It was found/discovered that... The results revealed/indicated... The principal conclusion was that... One conclusion was that... MISC. Please note the correct singular and plural versions of the following: Singular Plural thesis theses criterion criteria phenomenon phenomena appendix appendices (British English) appendixes (American English)
