Writing a Synopsis

Every groups stories require a cover page. Included on that cover page is a synopsis,
to be written by a group member. The synopsis can be viewed as a sales pitch that
makes the reader want to delve deeper into your stories. Use the following guidelines to
create your synopsis (70-100 words):
1. Be enthusiastic. Entice the reader. Portray emotion.
2. Focus on themes that appear throughout your stories.
3. Highlight differences in stories if showing the complex nature of
immigration.
4. Mention characters if they appear in several stories.
5. Provide historical context if stories set in similar time period.
Examples
In this allegorical collection of short stories, authors Ben Mansfield, Elam Stanton, Jaelin Brown
and Alfredo Verduzco seek to delve into moral and personal issues relating to immigration. The
stories of Austino and Marceau, our conflicted protagonists, run parallel, tracing narratives
through different perspectives faced by men and women every day. Discussing duty versus
morality, choice versus family, the comfort of home, and the foreboding of the unknown, these
four stories tell a story too often left untold.

By 2011, Honduras violence and murder rate was higher than any other country. That year, twin
siblings Luna and Luis took the chance to cross borders and boundaries alike thousands of
Latin American children. They were in hope of reuniting with their immigrant parents. Loss,
abandonment, and betrayal in Honduras drove them to reconsider the meanings of family and
home.

A story told through many perspectives. Mateo Alvarez, a character with amazing drive and
great bravery is forced to make a decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life. Fast forward
a few years, Mateo is back home with his wife and son, but because of the choices he made
along his journey he is killed in front of his son. Santiago Alvarez, the son of Mateo, lives in
hope of one day avenging his fathers death and starting a better life in memory of him.