The word 'Precis' is the French form of English word 'precise'. To quote the 'Oxford English Dictionary', it means 'a concise or abridged form of a longer passage of literature or document'.
Precis means a short summary of a letter, document, speech, etc. In a precis the main points of the original passage are given in one third length of the original passage. Brevity, lucidity and a sense of proportion are the chief qualities of a precis.
A Precis is different from explanation, expansion, central idea, theme or gist, etc. Explanation of a passage is lengthier than it. Expansion means expanding a given quotation, important saying or topic in a paragraph of given length. Central idea, theme or gist here are just the sum and substance. Their length is shorter than that of a precis.
Importance : Precis Writing is very important for students, lawyers, journalists and biographers, etc. The students make use of precis while taking notes of a lecture or book. The lawyers prepare their cases in brief. The journalists make use of precis while reporting long speeches and events. The biographers use the art of precis while meeting persons whose biographies they have to write. Precis writing requires thorough understanding of the given passage. It is a good mental exercise. Precis saves time, energy and space. We make use of precis in our day to day life while giving the 'resume' of a film which we have seen or a novel that we have read.
Main Points : In every piece of writing, there are some important, less important and unimportant points. In a precis the important or main points are included and unimportant or irrelevant points are omitted. These main points must be properly linked together so that the precis reads like original passage. Proper use of conjunctions should be made to join the main points. The sequences of these points is usually the same as given in the original passage but this sequence can be altered if some useful purpose can be served. The weak student may face difficulty in finding out the main points. He may consider those things essential for the precis which is important for the subject matter and without which the passage is incomplete.
Heading : Heading or title should always be given to a precis even if it has not been asked for by the paper seller. The heading is based on the central point of the given passage. It is usually found either in the beginning or at the end but sometimes in the middle of a passage. In the beginning, the author starts discussion about the main theme and at the end he sums up his main argument. Heading should be as brief as possible. Therefore, it is usually without a verb and is not a sentence. The number of words in the heading should not normally exceed seven. The first letter of important words should be capital. Articles and preposition begin with small letters.
Style : A precis should be written in a clear, simple, concise and straight forward style. Every sentence should not lead to the next. One should use one's own words. Only easy words of the original passage can be incorporated in the precis. Substitute single words for the sentences and clauses, and avoid loose expression. Write your precise in the indirect speech even if the passage is in direct speech. The tense of the original pass need not be changed. There is no room for examples, repetition of thought, explanation, metaphors and smilies. Variety is essential for good prose. The precis should be a well known paragraph or paragraphs, if it is very essential to write more than one paragraph.
Method : The method of writing a precis is very important. First of all, make a silent but rapid reading of the given passage and understand the trend of the thought or main theme of it. This will help you in selecting a suitable title or heading for your precis. If you are slow at time of first reading, you are likely to be lost in minor details. Then make silent and slow reading to the passage till you understand it thoroughly. There is a prescribed limit for the reading to be made. It depends up the nature of a passage and the power of understanding of student. An easy passage will require a fewer number of readings whereas difficult one will need more readings. An intelligent reader will understand a passage earlier than a less intelligent. Generally, three readings are given. But if the passage is so difficult, it may be read four or five times. The more one reads, the more one follows.
Precis Writing is an art which can be mastered only through practice. No one can learn this art fully in one day. It requires regular labour of months together.
Method : The method of writing a precis is very important. First of all, make a silent but rapid reading of the given passage and understand the trend of the thought or main theme of it. This will help you in selecting a suitable title or heading for your precis. If you are slow at time of first reading, you are likely to be lost in minor details. Then make silent and slow reading to the passage till you understand it thoroughly. There is a prescribed limit for the reading to be made. It depends up the nature of a passage and the power of understanding of student. An easy passage will require a fewer number of readings whereas difficult one will need more readings. An intelligent reader will understand a passage earlier than a less intelligent. Generally, three readings are given. But if the passage is so difficult, it may be read four or five times. The more one reads, the more one follows.
Precis Writing is an art which can be mastered only through practice. No one can learn this art fully in one day. It requires regular labour of months together.
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