29. COMPOSITION – Precis Writing

PRÉCIS WRITING

                A précis is a concise summary of the essential points, statements or facts. Précis writing is an art of compression. The gist of a passage enables the reader to grasp main points. It should be brief, lucid, concise and comprehensive. The précis is, meant to express only main idea or theme leaving out all unimportant details and illustrations. As for the length of précis, there is no rigid rule but generally it should not contain more than one third of the number of words in the original passage.

                Précis writing should help the reader to understand passage properly and group its meaning quickly and accurately. It is an excellent training in concentration of attention. It is also good exercise in writing compositions as it teaches the student to express his thoughts clearly, concisely, orderly and effectively.

Some tips for précis writing:

                Writing a précis is an art and that art shows the command of the language of the writer. It is not only compress the paragraph or to change it into one third of the original but to say the same in few words. Strong vocabulary and sufficient account of one word substitute.

Précis writing involves intense brainwork. While writing précis the following points should be kept in mind:

• Read the passage thoroughly to get the general idea, then, read it carefully again and again to have clarity till you understand its subject and what is said about the subject.
• Give a short title to passage, which will express its subject.
• Write down the main points in proper sequence in the form of outline.
• Compare the outline with the original passage.
• Note the length of the passage and write a rough précis comprising of one third the number of words in the given passage.
• The gist of précis should be written in students’ own words. As far as possible do not copy words, phrases, sentences and quotations from the passage. Avoid using repetitions, quotations, illustrations, proverbs, etc…
• Do not add anything. Make no comments. Correct no fact, and do not give your opinion.
• Maintain proper sequences of ideas. Language should be simple and direct with short sentences. As far as possible, write the précis in third person, indirect speech and in past tense.
• Revise your draft and compare it with the original passage. If it is too long, compress it by omitting all unnecessary details. Correct all spellings recheck grammar and language.
• Write it neatly with proper heading of the passage.