How to Write a Precis: Definition, Steps, Tips and Example

Have you ever found yourself stuck trying to shrink a long passage into something short and sharp? Learning how to write a precis can change your writing. No worries! You are at the right place. A precis stands for a concise, fully developed conclusion of a long piece of data. Moreover, it is created to capture the spirit tone of the source text while keeping its text without creating vague language. This blog covers what is a precis, how to write one step by step, and the difference between a precis, a summary, and an abstract. Plus, it explores some common mistakes to avoid, tips, examples, and a precis format so that you can draft a piece. So what are you waiting for? Without any further ado, read this blog to expand your knowledge.

What is a Precis?

As per the precis definition, the term "precise" comes from the French language refers to "precise" or "to cut brief." It indicates that the document is going to provide a concise overview of another document, providing insight into the main themes and key points that the author is trying to convey. A precis is an overview (a brief description) that captures the author's position and provides the reader with a general sense of the author's argument and how the author reached that conclusion. The author of a precis must ensure that the summary precisely reflects the content of the original document.

Now you might have a clear understanding of what is a precis. In the upcoming section, you will explore steps to write a precis. Don't stop! Keep scrolling to get better insight.

How to Write a Precis?

Precis writing might seem tricky in the beginning, but following these clear steps makes it more manageable. You can begin by reading the original text and then highlighting the primary ideas and thesis. Make a logical outline, craft your precise following it, and review and edit for clarity in the end.

If you want to know how to write a precis, follow these six steps to make sure you have a clear, concise, and complete conclusion of the original text:

Step 1: Read and Analyze the Text

• Skim the original passage thoroughly, multiple times if necessary, to get the main idea, tone, and the author's aim.
• Recognizes the primary arguments, the thesis, and the supporting proof while differentiating them from small details or instances.

Step 2: Note Key Points

• Note the key idea and main information in your own words as you read and focus on what matters the most.
• Briefly summarize each part of the text in one or two sentences to make sure you have mentioned all the crucial points.

Step 3: Provide a Suitable Title

• Make the title easy to understand and relevant to the main idea of the article, for example, "Summary of the Article".

Step 4: Write the Initial Draft

• Use the content of your notes and create a formal and cohesive form for each section. Follow the order and sequence used in the article to form the perfect coherent paragraph(s).
• An objective draft is written using the present tense and avoids personal expressions of opinion or interpretation, and should be approximately 1/3 of the length of the draft. Use the third person and avoid feelings, not thoughts.

Step 5: Revise and Edit

• Go through your draft for clarity, correctness, and to cover all the main ideas.
• Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Try to simplify your language and do not use repetitive phrases to keep it clean.

Step 6: Final Copy and Proofread

• Match your precis with the original text to ensure it's accurate and includes every key idea.
• Make any final adjustments and make sure the final versions follow the required formats, such as font and layout.

Now you know how to write a good precis. But if you still find yourself stuck juggling extended reading and tight deadlines, feel free to use a free summary generator that can help you save your time and reduce stress. It's time to move forward to know the difference between a precis, an abstract and a summary. Scroll below to learn more!

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Precis vs Abstract vs Summary

While a precis writing, an abstract, and a summary are all ways of condensing material, they each have their distinct purposes. It may be challenging to keep the definitions and uses for each straight; however, the main difference between the three will be outlined and defined below.

So these points gives you clear idea of the difference between them. Now, let’s dive deeper to some of precis statement example for writing an effective one.

Precis Example

Now you will discover a clear precis example which demonstrates how complex data can be condensed into a short and clear summary. Here is an example to explain how it looks:

Original Passage:

Changes in climate have emerged as one of the most pressing difficulty of the 21st century. Further, raising global temperatures is the reason glaciers melt and extreme weather events become more often. Some of the human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, are the foremost cause for these changes. Communities, governments, and people individually must take actions to reduce carbon emissions and protect the nature for the next generation.

Precis:

The impacts of global warming are already visible in severe weather events, loss of ice caps, and rising sea levels. These changes to our environment will have serious consequences for future generations. Therefore, we must collectively act to reduce our emission levels (CO2).

This example of a precis will provide you with a fair idea about how a passage can be condensed effectively. Now, read on to discover some of its dos and don'ts.

Dos and Don'ts of Precis

The following are five clean and well-structured examples of concluding lines for the dos & don'ts in precis writing:

With the help of these points, you can write a clear, precise and meaningful precis every time. If you need extra assistance, an essay writing service can guide you through the process. Now it's time to examine the precis writing format. Dive deeper to get a better understanding.

Precis Format

Precis Title: Precis of [Author’s Name]’s [Name of Work/Article].”

Font size: 12

Spacing: Double-spaced

Margins: From all sides at least 1 inch

Name and pledge: Put them at the end of your precis

Tone of voice: Keep the original voice of the author

Direct quotation: Avoid direct quotation until it is essential. Place quotes in quotation marks, and include a page number in (p.35) after the quote.

Order and organization: Manage the same order and organization of the original article.

This precis writing format will help you to extract crucial ideas with accuracy and discipline. Let’s move forward with some of its tips for writing an effective precis.

Tips For Writing an Effective Precis

When you write a precis, no matter whether it is a rhetorical or a regular one, ensure that your paper has these five crucial qualities:

1. Conciseness: Make your writing easy to understand. The precis will be transparent to all audiences because of its short, straightforward, and easy-to-follow language.

2. Objectivity: Keep your precis short and focused on key concepts or points from the original material (approximately 1/3 of the original). Do not add additional examples, illustrations, or repetitions from the original material.

3. Coherency: The precis should not include any personal opinions/criticism of the original text or the author’s work; it should only include the facts, ideas, and evidence found within the original article.

4. Clarity: Your precis must accurately reflect the contents and meaning of the original article, as well as portray the same tone as the original author.

5. Correctness: The summary should contain all the information necessary to properly define the original position or argument. The summary should only summarize the material contained within the original, but should also convey the complete message of the original author.

These tips ensure that your precis remains focused and polished. By implementing these through using a precis paragraph template, you will be able to accurately and clearly summarise, in written form, even the most complex ideas and provide a clear and concise representation of the message developed by the author of the original document.

Final Thoughts

Now you know what is a precis. It is a crucial skill that helps you and professionals convey ideas clearly and concisely without exaggeration. This guide explore a step-by-step guide on how to write a precis, its do's and don'ts, tips to write it, and a precis example. However, it might be difficult for many of you to maintain the original tone and style of the author; in such cases, an assignment writing service can be the best choice. Experts at Global Assignment Help will not only help you craft a precise assignment but also enable you to write your assignments in no time!

Freaquently Asked Answer

Q1. How Long a Precis Should Be?

Ans:- A precis is typically only 1/3 the length of the original article, but the length may vary significantly. The key is to condense the main ideas as much as possible while still keeping the original meaning intact. Avoid unnecessary detail and verbosity in your writing.

Q2. What are the Don'ts of Precis Writing?

Ans:- Never include opinions, criticisms or comments other than what was written in the passage. Do not use information obtained from any other source besides that in the passage. Do not include any questions.

Q3. What are the Rules in Writing a Precis?

Ans:- A set of rules is mentioned below:

• Comprehend the text carefully.
• Write down the main points of the comprehension.
• Take a rough draft abstraction of the comprehension.
• Use a simplified and concise language wherever possible for easy reproduction.
• Create the final abstraction after adding all the main points.

Q4. What Should I Avoid in a Precis?

Ans:- Avoid adding your personal thoughts, critiques, or any external references to the summary. Use only the information contained in the original text. Do not ask questions in a summary. Use a clear precis paragraph template for your summaries.