Characteristics of a good precis

A précis summarizes a reading that you have completed. The length of a précis can vary greatly; it can be 100-200 words or approximately one-fifth to one-sixth of the length of the original reading.

Precis writing is one of the most efficient methods that provide a gist of a lengthy written work for business matters. Alike summary, abstract and note-making, precis writing also has its own benefits and norms of drafting.

Explanation: Precis can be of four types. They are: precis of speech, precis of continuous matter, precis of correspondence and telegraphese.

For a precis writing, avoid using contractions and abbreviations. Write the full form of any given words only. Avoid being jerky. This will show that you have not understood the passage properly and have started writing a precis.

It is marked by clarity, precision, and brevity. It must be coherent. It is written in the own words of the precis writer and not written by picking words of the original write-up. It should have a logical order and flow, with well-connected sentences and paragraphs.

Precis normally encompasses such information as author, article/book title, date of publishing, and topic in the very first sentence. Such a lead-in will briefly state what the book or novel’s idea is about.

Use an appropriate Title: The precis needs to have a title. So, the candidates must ensure that the title is in sync with the comprehension.

Introduction: Rhetorical Precis Writing

A rhetorical precis analyzes both the content (the what) and the delivery (the how) of a unit of spoken or written discourse. It is a highly structured four-sentence paragraph blending summary and analysis.

The Structure of a Rhetorical Précis

Sentence One: Name of the author, genre, and title of work, date in parentheses; a rhetorically active verb; and a THAT clause containing the major assertion or thesis in the text. Sentence Two: An explanation of how the author develops and supports the thesis.

: a concise summary of essential points, statements, or facts.

It is the summary or the gist of any writing passage. You are given this writing assignment as a part of your course, by your teacher to analyse your calibre for short and crisp writing. A precis writing is supposed to convey the summary of the passage in concern with the use of minimal words.

You should try to arrange the points in most logical order, and ensure the order of thought is the same as the original. The three grammatical rules you need to follow while writing a précis are: write it in third person, indirect form and appropriate past tense.

Some common synonyms of precise are accurate, correct, exact, nice, and right. While all these words mean “conforming to fact, standard, or truth,” precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

Uses of precis writing

Precis writing also improves your overall writing skills. It teaches you how to express your thoughts clearly, concisely and effectively. You learn to choose your words carefully and construct your sentences in a logical and concise manner.

Precis writing also improves your overall writing skills. It teaches you how to express your thoughts clearly, concisely and effectively. You learn to choose your words carefully and construct your sentences in a logical and concise manner.

Summary and abstract words are used in the place of precis since both the words convey the same meaning. Summary is the presentation of statements in the form of notes with main heading and sub-heading and numbered points beneath them. In nutshell, a precis–writing should be accurate, brief and clear i.e ABC.