After commenting on this question, I started wondering what the difference between a plot and a synopsis is, or if they are exactly the same. I'm mainly looking for common usage, but anything else (such as dictionation) is also welcome.
Learn English – Difference between “synopsis” and “plot”
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Related Solutions
I'd like to add the following lines as an addendum to other answers.
In some areas of mathematics, an optimal value is essentially a local optimum; i.e. it's an optimum value in its neighborhood. For example:
In parallel, the same applies to maximal and minimal values. In other words, a maximal value is essentially a local maximum; a minimal value is essentially a local minimum. For example:
How to use anyone and everyone as they are typically used in English
- Everyone means all of the group.
- Anyone means all or any part of the group.
Original example
“Everyone is welcome to do such and such” means all are welcome.
“Anyone is welcome to do such and such” means all or any part is welcome.
In this situation, it makes no difference which word you use. Either word gives every person a welcome.
Second example
In the example below, it makes an important difference which word you use.
Does everyone (all of the group) want ice cream?
If the answer is yes, then all of the people want ice cream.
If the answer is no, then some, or maybe all, want something different.
Does anyone (all or any part of the group) want ice cream?
If the answer is yes, then at least one person wants ice cream.
If the answer is no, nobody wants ice cream.
Best Answer
First, a bit of "dictionation":
• The relevant sense of plot is "The general course of a story including significant events that determine its course or significant patterns of events."
• The relevant sense of synopsis is "A brief summary of the major points of a written work, either as prose or as a table; an abridgment or condensation of a work."
For a fictional story, plot and synopsis may coincide; for non-fiction, the term plot ordinarily is not used. In literary criticism, plot of a story refers to a plan of events by which the author makes the story progress. Of course authors of non-fiction also choose what to present, but the result is called an outline, plan, or structure rather than a plot. Thus, in summarizing non-fiction, one uses the term synopsis rather than plot, but in summarizing fiction, either term may apply. Regarding which term to use for fiction summaries, comments below refer to length, or depth, of the summary. I'd expect a synopsis to contain more discussion of literary techniques (such as characterization) than would a plot summary.