Importance of Precis Writing
A Precis is a summary of a story. The gist of the passage is written in as few words as possible. The reader should understand the idea expressed in the first reading by only reading the Precis. So it should have all the essential points. It is an exercise of comprehension. It must always be shorter than the original passage. Many people read carelessly and fail to understand the meaning of the passage for Precis Writing. So, it helps them to pay attention to the reading as no one writes a Precis without reading it carefully.
Summarizing teaches one to read with concentration. It improves the overall Writing skills too. It allows one to express their thoughts clearly, concisely, and effectively. You learn to choose your words carefully and in a logical manner.
In this article, students will be learning about what is Precis Writing, the Importance of Precis Writing, Writing Precis, Steps for Precis Writing, Features of a Good Precis, Dos and Don’ts for Precis Writing, Characteristics of Precis Elements of Precis along with respective examples.
Students can go through the official website of Vedantu to get a thorough understanding of various topics related to the English language.
Writing Precis
The Precis Writing format has some essential points that you should take care of while writing it. The main important point for Writing a Precis is that you should read the passage carefully. Reading helps you to understand the gist of the passage and write it down more concisely. The main message and theme of the passage should be conveyed through your Precis.
Also, it is essential to note down that the general idea of the passage for Precis Writing should not be forgotten. The key points should be written in the Precis. The language of the Precis should be focused on. Precis Writing has no fixed pattern. However, we need to follow a particular procedure for the Precis to be more effective. The right diction will help you write a good Precis.
Dos and Don’ts for Precis Writing
Dos:
Do start with the main idea of the Precis so that the readers can quickly grasp the base of the Precis.
Pick out all the insignificant information in the passage and remove them from your Precis.
Create a proper environment in order to incorporate all the important points
It is important to mention the objective of Writing the Precis.
Write the Precis in the original flow of the writer to ensure that the message of Precis Writing should be clear.
Add the relevant keywords and keep a check on the word count.
Be sure to mention any historical fact in the past tense.
Don’ts:
Do not use abbreviations or short forms. Only use full forms while Writing Precis
Be sure not to insert any facts taken from the internet. Incorporate the only facts given in the passage.
Do not ask questions while Writing Precis. If it is imperative, you can cover it in the form of a sentence.
Be sure not to revolve around the same content, The Writing flow should not be jerky. It implies that you are not confident with your content.
Don't keep the Precis too long because it is a summary. It should be short, crisp, and to the point.
Steps for Precis Writing
Start reading the paragraph carefully before Writing the Precis. It is essential to understand the central theme of the passage. After identifying the idea, incorporate it in the required manner.
The word count is another important factor for a good Precis. Check whether the total number of words is given or not. If not, then count the number of words. Generally, it should be one-third of the total words given in your passage.
You should be clear about the theme or idea of the passage for Precis Writing. If you do not understand the theme, read the passage a couple of times, before starting to write your Precis. Make sure you are clear about the idea.
While reading, note down the points or highlight them. Try to find the points that are irrelevant to your Precis.
The heading of your Precis is critical. It should give a brief idea of the passage given. So, choose your title, wisely.
The Precis should be arranged in a manner so that the reader understands the gist quickly. Logically organize your sentences and write them in reported speech.
For an official Precis, you are required to provide titles and designations instead of names. If there is no information provided, then write a personal name. Make sure to follow the same throughout your Precis.
Before submitting, read it carefully for mistakes. As it is already in a short manner, there should be a minimal error.
At the end mention in a bracket the number of words of your Precis.
Elements of Precis
The following are the key elements of a Precis:
Clarity: A Precis is actually a summary of the story, hence a reader should clearly understand what the story is about. Your Precis should be easy for readers to understand.
Correctness: Always take care of punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure mistakes while Writing a Precis. Be sure to double-check all of the dates, addresses, facts, and figures that were used in the original passage.
Objectivity: Be objective while Writing a Precise. You should only talk about facts in your Precis. Do not try to give your opinions and views.
Conciseness: Always be concise while Writing a summary of a story. A writer should avoid repeating things and using unnecessary words.
Coherence: Your piece of Precis should make sense. You can say what you want to say, but it should be presented clearly. Readers should not get lost or confused while reading your Precis. Use effective words that help readers understand better.
Features of a Good Precis
A good Precis must have clarity, brevity, and Precision.
It should not be just Writing the sentences directly from the passage for Precis Writing. It should be written in your own words.
It is a miniature version of the given passage.
The Precis should be well-knit and well connected.
It would be best if you used linking words like so, therefore, and, because, further, etc.
It must have a good title.
Must have coherence and follow the order of the original extract.
It must contain only the information given in the passage of Precis Writing.
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Characteristics of Precis
The following are some of the primary Characteristics of Precis.
A Precis is usually short and to the point, as compared to the original passage
It is an ideal demonstration of content in the original passage.
Precis filters out supporting ideas, supplementary details, and illustrations of the original passage.
It is written from the point of view of the original authors of the content
Indirect speech is usually used in Precis Writing
Third-person pronouns are mostly preferred in Precis Writing.
What a Precis is Not?
It should not be just a summary or abstract of the passage given.
It must not have disconnected facts and statements.
You cannot write your own opinion in your Precis.
It should not contain any questions.
Solved Examples
Given below is a common question on Precis Writing.
1. What are Precis Writing examples?
Ans: It is Writing the gist of a passage. It is supposed to convey the summary of the passage without changing the idea or theme with the use of minimal words.
Did You Know?
There is no specific length for Precis Writing. It is usually mentioned in the question for Precis Writing examples. If the word count is not given, you can write any number of words you wish. Never forget the main idea for Precis Writing examples is to summarize the passage given. So, it is better to use one-fourth of the length of the given passage.
FAQs on Step-by-Step Guide to Precis Writing
1. What is a precis and what is its main purpose in writing?
A precis is a concise summary of a text that captures its essential ideas, arguments, and tone in your own words. Its main purpose is to present the core message of the original passage accurately and briefly, typically reducing it to about one-third of its original length, thereby demonstrating your comprehension skills.
2. What are the essential steps to follow when writing a precis?
To write an effective precis, you should follow these key steps:
- Read and Understand: Carefully read the passage multiple times to fully grasp its central theme and main arguments.
- Outline and Draft: Identify and list the key points, ignoring irrelevant details. Write a rough draft in your own words, focusing on these main points.
- Revise for Clarity: Check your draft for accuracy, clarity, and conciseness. Ensure you have not included your own opinions or interpretations.
- Check Length and Title: Ensure your precis meets the required length (usually one-third of the original) and give it a suitable title that reflects the main idea.
- Proofread: Finalise your precis by checking for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or punctuation issues.
3. What is the main difference between a precis and a summary?
While both are condensed versions of a text, a precis is a formal and miniature version that strictly follows the original's structure, logic, and tone, maintaining its viewpoint. In contrast, a summary is a more general overview of the main points and can be less formal, without the strict requirement to follow the original's order or perspective.
4. What are the key qualities or '5 C's' of a good precis?
A high-quality precis is defined by five key qualities, often referred to as the '5 C's':
- Clarity: The meaning should be easy to understand without any ambiguity.
- Correctness: The information presented must be accurate, and the language used must be grammatically correct.
- Conciseness: It should express the main ideas using as few words as possible, avoiding repetition and unnecessary details.
- Coherence: The points must be logically connected and flow smoothly from one to another.
- Completeness: It must include all the essential ideas and arguments from the original passage to be considered whole.
5. Why is it crucial to maintain objectivity and not add personal opinions in a precis?
Maintaining objectivity is fundamental because the goal of a precis is to accurately represent the original author's message, not to interpret or critique it. Adding personal opinions, comments, or analysis would distort the original intent and turn the precis into a review or an essay. A precis must act as a faithful, condensed reflection of the source material's viewpoint.
6. How does the practice of writing a precis improve analytical and writing skills?
Regularly writing a precis enhances several skills. It forces you to engage in critical reading to distinguish between main ideas and supporting details, which sharpens analytical ability. Furthermore, the challenge of rephrasing complex ideas concisely and accurately in your own words strengthens your vocabulary, sentence construction, and overall writing clarity, making you a more effective communicator.
7. What is the most common mistake students make when writing a precis for an exam?
The most common mistake is 'patch-writing', which involves lifting key phrases and sentences directly from the original passage and stitching them together. A precis must be written entirely in your own words. Directly copying content not only fails to demonstrate comprehension but also misrepresents the task. The key is to understand the ideas and then express them using your own unique vocabulary and sentence structure.
8. How should I determine a suitable title for my precis?
A title for a precis should be short, precise, and encapsulate the central theme of the entire passage. After writing your precis, reread both it and the original text. Ask yourself, "What is the single most important idea this passage is about?" Your answer will guide you to a suitable title. It should be a phrase, not a full sentence, that gives the reader a quick insight into the content.
