Prompt Workshop
Why it is written this way
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I am writing a novel synopsis to submit to a contest for a {{creative work genre}} piece. The required length is {{required length}}, and judges will evaluate the entire work based on this synopsis before deciding whether to read the full manuscript.
Please compress the plot summary below into a formal synopsis. A submission synopsis is not promotional copy or a teaser—it must explicitly reveal the entire plot up to the ending, including the culprit, plot twists, and final decisions.
Structure the synopsis into four sections: ① A single-sentence logline ② Key characters (up to 3 characters, each with their name and a one-line description) ③ Plot development structured into four paragraphs (Setup, Inciting Incident/Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action) ④ A resolution paragraph outlining the ending. Keep the total length strictly between 90% and 100% of the {{required length}}.
Do not use promotional marketing buzzwords or cliffhanger questions like "What choice will he make?" Do not invent new characters or plot points that are not present in the original notes; mark missing information as [Needs Verification]. Limit adjectives to a maximum of one per sentence.
After drafting, perform a self-evaluation and provide only the final result. Check three criteria: first, whether the word count meets the required length; second, whether the ending is explicitly stated as a definitive sentence; and third, whether any unauthorized content was added. If any issues are found, revise the text and output only the final synopsis, followed by a 3-line summary explaining what was revised.
Full Plot Summary: """ {{entire plot summary}} """
- Material What the AI needs to know ×2
- Work What to do, and how ×2
- Output What comes back, in what shape ×2
When using AI to write a novel synopsis, submissions often lose points during judging for one primary reason: AI tends to mistake a synopsis for back-cover blurb copy, ending crucial moments with teasers like "Will they ever uncover the truth?" Judges read a synopsis to verify that the ending and narrative structure hold up; if the ending is missing, the submission cannot be evaluated.
Read the full explanation · 3 paragraphs
The Context established in the first paragraph prevents this misunderstanding. Clarifying that judges evaluate the submission based on this document forces the AI to adopt a formal, evaluation-ready tone rather than promotional copy. The subsequent Task section reinforces this by mandating full disclosure of the ending, explicitly naming the elements to reveal—such as the true culprit, major twists, and final character choices.
The third paragraph defines a structured four-part format and target length. Because general synopsis templates vary widely, AI outputs can be inconsistent without explicit constraints. Fixing the structure to logline, characters, plot progression, and resolution ensures a universally accepted contest format.
The fourth Constraint paragraph directly bans cliffhanger questions and excessive adjectives—the two biggest culprits making synopses sound like marketing blurbs. Finally, the Verification step directs the AI to self-audit length, ending clarity, and fabricated details, curbing its tendency to invent filler characters.
Unfamiliar terms? See Aha AI: output-format, hallucination
Compared with a bad example
Write a contest synopsis based on this plot.
(Pasted plot summary)
Without length specifications, the output might turn into 200 words or run over 1,500 words. The ending is often glossed over with vague lines like "The protagonist's choice changes everything," omitting the exact resolution judges need to see. The AI will also frequently hallucinate extra supporting characters.
Variations
Submitting to multiple contests with different limits
Since different competitions have varying length requirements, generating a full-length draft alongside an ultra-short version saves time.
Show prompt
Below is the full plot summary of my {{creative work genre}} novel. Please write two synopses of the same story with different lengths: one fitting {{required length}}, and another condensed one-paragraph version (under 100 words).
The condensed version must retain only the core logline and the definitive ending. Verify at the end that both versions describe the exact same sequence of events.
""" {{entire plot summary}} """
Reviewing an existing synopsis draft
Use this when you need editorial feedback on an existing draft rather than a complete rewrite, preventing the AI from overwriting your personal writing style.
Show prompt
Below is an existing synopsis I wrote for my {{creative work genre}} novel. Please review it from the perspective of a contest judge without rewriting it yet.
Provide a 2-line evaluation for each of the following three points: ① Is the ending clearly stated in complete sentences? ② Does the resolution feel unearned or rely on unestablished elements? ③ Are there any points where character names or motivations become confusing? Afterward, rewrite only the single most problematic sentence to show how it should be fixed.
""" {{entire plot summary}} """
Model notes
No AI model counts exact words or characters with 100% precision internally. After receiving the final draft, verify the word count in a text editor. If it exceeds your limit, prompt the AI with a specific reduction instruction, such as: "Shorten the character descriptions by two lines to keep the total under 500 words."
Last updated 2026-09-02 · Found a mistake? Let us know