Precis writing, importance, Tips, format, dos and don'ts and Key features

 

Precis Writing

Precis writing is an integral part of various exams, it tests your ability to read, understand, and present text in a clear, crisp, and concise manner.

 

What is Precis writing?

‘Precis’ (pronounced ‘Preisi’) is an old French word meaning ‘Cut short’. Precis is a concise summary or a miniature version of a passage, which includes all the essential/necessary points, mood, and tone of the author, and the main idea or gist of the passage.

 In short, Precis is a condensed version of a bigger passage or paragraphs without changing the message, tone or intent of the original text.

 

Why is Precis Writing Needed?

 

It is the modern era, every person is busy and does not have much time. so things are needed to be concise and shortened. Everyone in his/her busy schedule wants to save time.

Every student needs this skill for the preparation of exams, where students cannot memorize the entire lecture so, they inculcate the required and

essential points.

This skill also helps us in daily life too. If we read a Newspaper or attend a function, we may describe the same to the people so, we cannot explain word to word or entire event we describe that in our own words.

Journalists, Newspaper editors, Office Workers / Reporters and students almost must have this skill as it is the need of today’s world.

If someone has precise writing capability it means:

·        He /She has  the ability to think Critically.

·        He has strong grip on English Grammar

·        He is having the aptitude of Translation

·        He has better knowledge for the English Composition.

·        He knows the Main concept of work.

·        He knows how to convert complexity into standard communication.

·        This skill portrays your professionalism.

·        This skill makes you better decision maker.

 

Writing a precis trains, the writer to read passages carefully with concentration. It also helps you develop the skill to distinguish essential and non-essential parts of passages and forces you to pay close attention to what you’re reading.

 

Precis writing also improves one’s overall writing skills like:

 

   The construction of sentences in a logical order.

   Helps in expressing thoughts concisely, effectively, and clearly, by choosing

   words carefully.

 

 

 STEPS TO WRITE A GOOD PRECISE

 Step 1:    Read carefully

·           First of all, Read the original passage / given text carefully.

·         Reread the passage two to three times to fully get the meaning, tone and the main theme.

 Step 2:   Identify the central idea

·         Think what is the passage generally about.

Step 3 :   Note down  the key points

·         Highlight the Main points. Here you have to Exclude the examples, quotes

 and illustrations.

Step 4:    Write in your own words

·         It means now write down the original text in your own words. (avoid to copy sentences directly)

Step 5:     Maintain Logical order

·         Of course write down the same sequence of ideas of the original but in your flow

 of pen.

Step 6 :      Revise and Edit

·         It is time to check Grammar, flow of sentences, Theme and also make sure that your

 Precis conveys the same meaning/face as the original.

Step 7:   Draft with Title

·         Now The last step, draft it and assign it a suitable Title.

 

Precis writing format

If you need your precis look well-structured and professional, you have to follow the

 standard precis writing format:

1.       Title

·         Every precis should have a suitable Title and must reflect the main idea of the

 Text/passage

·         The Title should be short, crisp and relevant catching sentence

·         In the old days people used to write Two titles yet in these days grammar

 Experts rely on single title as they claim when an aspirant assigns double Title it

Means He/She is in dilemma and having no decision power.

2 :        Main body

·         Write the summary /condense in para graph form.

·         Avoid including your personal opinion/thoughts or criticism.

3 :         Word Limit

·         The precis should be one-third of the original text/passage.

4:       Word substitution

·         You can replace the words/vocabulary of the original text if necessary

5 :          Language

·         Use lucid, clear and simple language. (avoid tough language)

·         Write in the Third person and in the past Tense

 

KEY FEATURES OF A GOOD PRECIS

A good precis is always like the Second reflection of paragraphs, story and a report yet the

complete and in concise shape. It should have the following qualities:

·         Brevity                     ( it means say a lot in few words )

·         Clarity                      ( It means avoid confusing sentences )

·         Completeness        ( Covers the essential points or ideas of the passage )

·         Accuracy                 ( Means misrepresentation of the original theme or meaning)

·         Logical flow            ( means follow the  sequence/arrangement  of ideas )

·         Coherence              ( means sentences should be linked  with proficiency )