Introduction to Precis
Precis is a French word, and precis meaning in English is a summary or abstract of a speech or a written article. The importance of precis writing lies in the fact that it is like a miniature portrait of the main passage which retains the mood and tone of the original passage. The Precis meaning is to retain the essential parts of the message in its original form, without adding your subjective interpretation of the article. Precis must stick to the original author’s voice and opinions.
The importance of precis writing can also be seen as it helps in showing how good you are at critical thinking, analyzing, and highlighting the crucial points of an essay. By writing precis, you can also learn a lot of new skills in summarizing and the appropriate usage of English phrases and vocabulary.
The importance of precis writing holds for students as well. If you follow the principles of precis writing, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to express your thoughts intelligently to your professors by highlighting crucial points.
Characteristics of a Precis
To define a precis in technical terms, it should be one-fourth of the original paragraph in length.
Another word for precis is “synopsis” which categorically means only the critical summary of writing abstracts.
It is marked by clarity, precision, and brevity.
It must be coherent.
It should have a title
It is written in the own words of the precis writer and not written by picking words of the original write-up.
It should have a logical order and flow, with well-connected sentences and paragraphs.
The ideas and context of the original extract need to be strictly adhered to.
A precis does not have any detail which is not present in the original write up.
Precis is written in reported speech.
The sentences in precis must use linking devices like: therefore, so, because, and, etc.
A precis maintains the order and structure of the original speech or text.
A precis serves as a shorter substitute for the original speech or text.
Difference Between Summary and Precis
The main difference between precis and summary or a paraphrase is that precis is brief and concise. A summary is a different treatment of the original text, and it is longer and more detailed. To write a precis, one has to read the text and extract the main idea from it and then rewrite it in one’s own words. In general, a word count is given for precis where you need to fit in the essential parts of the written abstract. In summary, word limits may or may not be given. A summary’s function is not so much to interpret the meaning or idea of the original text but to relay information.
What Precis is Not?
The true meaning of precis is understood if we also learn and keep in mind what does not come under precis writing or what a good academic precis is not supposed to be. They are given as follows.
Precis should not convey your own opinions, remarks, or criticism. It is not your own interpretation of the main idea.
You can not add a question in the precis writing.
It is not just a summary or re-writing of the original abstract.
It is not about just using some important sentences from the original write-up.
It is not a collection of disconnected facts, thoughts, and statements.
It is not an outline of the passage.
It should not use abbreviations or contractions. Always use full forms.
Precis cannot be shaky since that will reflect on your understanding level of the essence of the text.
Precis does not have unnecessarily long sentences.
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Types of Precis
Precis can be of 4 types:
Precis of Speech.
Precis of Continuous Matter - Precis of continuous matter includes every type of matter except for correspondence. It includes questions and answers format like reports of evidence, parliamentary reports, etc. It must contain the date and time of the passage.
Precis of Correspondence - It can be of two types: Index precis and narrative precise. Index precis is also known as docket precis, abstract, or schedule. It is presented in the form of a table.
Telegraphese - The language of this type of precis resembles a telegraph i.e. it is terse.
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FAQs on Characteristics of a Good Precis
1. What are the essential characteristics that define a good precis?
A good precis is defined by several key characteristics that ensure it is both effective and accurate. The most important qualities include:
- Clarity: The precis must be written in simple, clear language that is easy to understand without any ambiguity.
- Conciseness: It should be brief and to the point, typically about one-third the length of the original passage, omitting all non-essential details.
- Correctness: All facts, figures, and ideas must be accurately represented, and the writing must be free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
- Objectivity: The writer must not include their own opinions, interpretations, or comments. The precis should only reflect the original author's perspective.
- Coherence: The ideas must be logically connected, ensuring a smooth and readable flow from one point to the next.
- Completeness: Despite its brevity, a precis must cover all the vital points and the core argument of the original text.
2. How is a precis fundamentally different from a summary?
While both a precis and a summary condense a longer text, they differ in their purpose and structure. A precis is a miniature version of the original text, retaining its logical structure, tone, and main arguments in a highly condensed form, written in the writer's own words. In contrast, a summary provides a general overview of the main points but does not need to follow the original's structure or tone. A summary can be more flexible in length and focus, whereas a precis has a strict requirement for brevity and faithful representation of the original's essence.
3. What are the key steps to follow when writing an effective precis?
To write a high-quality precis, you should follow a systematic process:
- Read and Understand: Carefully read the original passage multiple times to fully grasp its meaning, main theme, and supporting arguments.
- Identify Key Points: Underline or make notes of the most crucial ideas, arguments, and facts. Differentiate essential information from examples or redundant details.
- Create a Draft: Write a first draft using your own words, organizing the noted points in the same logical order as the original text.
- Refine and Condense: Review the draft to improve clarity and conciseness. Remove any wordy phrases, repetitions, or personal opinions. Ensure the language is objective.
- Check Length and Accuracy: Compare your precis with the original to ensure all essential points are included and that its length is appropriate (usually one-third of the source). Check for any grammatical or factual errors before finalising.
4. Why is it so important to write a precis in your own words instead of lifting sentences from the original passage?
Using your own words is a core principle of precis writing because it demonstrates true comprehension, not just the ability to copy. When you rephrase ideas, you are forced to process and internalise the information, proving you understand the subject matter. Simply lifting sentences results in a patchwork of text that often lacks coherence and fails the main objective of a precis, which is to create a concise, readable, and miniature version of the original that showcases your understanding.
5. What are the main 'do's' and 'don'ts' to remember for precis writing?
To ensure your precis is effective, you must adhere to certain rules. Here are the key 'do's' and 'don'ts':
- Do's: Start with the main idea of the passage, use your own words, maintain the original author's tone, and ensure the text is logically connected and coherent. Always check for grammatical accuracy.
- Don'ts: Do not insert your own opinions or criticisms, do not ask questions, do not use abbreviations or contractions, and do not focus on minor details or examples at the expense of the main argument.
6. In what real-world scenarios is precis writing a valuable skill for Commerce students?
For Commerce students, precis writing is a highly practical skill with direct real-world applications. It is crucial for:
- Summarising Business Reports: Condensing long financial reports, market analyses, or audit findings into a short, digestible format for executives.
- Creating Meeting Minutes: Capturing the essential decisions and action items from long meetings in a clear and concise document.
- Analysing Legal Contracts: Distilling the key clauses and obligations from lengthy legal or business documents.
- Academic Research: Summarising research papers and articles to build a literature review or understand complex business theories efficiently.
This skill enhances critical thinking and communication, which are vital in the corporate world.
