essay and precis writing books

How to Write a Precis - A Step-by-Step Guide

It is common for students to confuse a précis with rhetorical analysis, reflection essays, and critical analysis. We get to clarify the confusion in just a moment.

However, for what it is worth, college life prepares you for the unforgiving life that awaits after graduation. One way it does this is through regular assignments that are timed. You can never afford to submit an assignment late if you want to be classified for a college degree.

When undertaking a college education, précis writing is one of the most important yet challenging tasks. At least, from our internal survey, it emerged that 3 out of 5 students find it hard to write a précis. The students also do not understand what a précis is and how to write a précis step by step.

In this article, we have compiled important facts on how to write a précis, explained its meaning and rules, and given you links to précis examples.

What is a Précis?

It would be prudent to begin by first reflecting on what a précis contains.

Well, it entails the thesis of the author and the main message or idea of the author. So, when you are asked to write a précis, you need to write a summary of the essential ideas of a longer composition between several texts.

It's also known as a position paper, which means you create a claim based on what you see as the connections between the text. What do these texts have in common? Are there similar ideas that appear in the readings so far? What are they?

A rhetorical précis can be defined as a summary of an original piece of text that includes the main ideas, arguments, and insights of the thesis of the author in that text.

It is a clear, accurate, and concise summary of a longer text in a connected, readable, and elaborate manner. You can also refer to it as an academic summary as it involves summarizing the main argument of a piece of academic writing, such as a peer-reviewed article.

In simple terms, a précis is like a synopsis of a text, article, or literature. Précis is a term borrowed from French, which means summary or

It should never be a narrative of what the author said in sequence. Rather, it is more of providing a skeleton of the arguments in the piece of work. A précis is also not rewriting or an essay.

Qualities and Features of a Rhetorical précis

When you are assigned to write a précis, here are some important elements that must feature in your paper:

A précis summarizes the original article or academic text's content.
Start your précis by creating a context (setting) and stating the main idea of the piece. Then, you should begin presenting the author's method for defending this thesis.
Formal writing reveals the meaning and value of an original text.
A rhetorical précis gives people who have no time to read an entire text the chance to understand its main points.
Explains the core of the text in a structural format making it easy to spot the major points without skimming through pages.
A précis can be written on a scholarly article, published work, or dissertation.
Always state the name of the article/document, the author, and the source (is it from a magazine, book, encyclopedia, etc.)
It is never a critical or interpretive piece of writing.
It helps identify areas to concentrate on when reading.
It is meant to improve the writing skills of the writers
Titles of texts should be put in italics OR underlined
When writing about history, use the past tense.

Précis writing is important as it helps the writer distinguish between what is regarded as useful and what is never. It is a comprehension exercise that allows the writer to present the gist of a passage in their own words.

Rules (or Do's) of Précis Writing

There are ten golden rules when writing a précis: you can call them the Dos of précis writing.

Read the passage/text and determine its theme . While reading, focus on the theme or major argument expressed by the author.
Précis writing means the art of remodeling. Your précis writing should reflect your prowess in using your own words to express the meaning of a text.
Be concise, accurate, and clear. précis writing is never complete without brevity, yet it should not come at the expense of clarity or accuracy. Throw in some economy with words, and avoid ambiguity, obscurity, and vagueness.
It should convince even those who have not read the text. When writing a précis, ensure it is intelligible to anyone who has not read the original text. By reading your thesis, the reader should engage with the original text.
A précis uses your own language. Remember that a précis does not mean paraphrasing. Read and comprehend, then write.
Forever stick to the third person. Begin your précis by identifying what the author says.
Do not give a personal opinion. Never give your personal comments or reflection on the piece of work. You will be deviating from précis writing. It should follow the order of the original text.
A précis, by the rule of thumb, should be a third of the original text. Academic précis writing suggests that it should be between 100 and 200 words. A précis of a 20-page book or article should be between 2-3 pages. Look at how to write a précis for a research article .
Balance your précis. Make sure you are filling the space not just with words but with substance from the text.
When statistics are involved, use discretion . Unless the statistics are inevitable and utterly important, drop them when writing your précis.

The Don'ts when writing a Précis

When writing a précis, avoid doing these:

Never use complicated vocabulary that might make your précis complex. Simplicity always has its place in academic writing. Overcome the urge to use tough vocabulary that are otherwise fillers.
Never use the first-person pronoun when writing a précis. You are not allowed to use I or we when writing a précis.
Never mention additional information other than your author's thesis, methods the author uses to present the thesis, the results, and their conclusion.
Do not use abbreviations or contractions.
Avoid words like big, good, bad, little, and a lot. Also, do not use the phrase "throughout history." This is clichÃƒÂ©.
Never copy sentences as they are from the original unless you are quoting, where you must also provide the right in-text citation.
Avoid addressing wrong figures and facts. Every fact that you reference in your précis must be from your original.
Do not use the words "in this article." Use the style "Crane argues that the most significant contribution of the Czechs was ... "
When looking at primary sources, you should note the document's origin, purpose, value, and limitations.)
Count your "and."

Remember, a rhetorical précis demonstrates that you have mastered the art of writing and can express your thoughts cogently and intelligibly. Therefore, you must uphold high clarity, correctness, objectivity, conciseness, and coherence.

The Structure/Format of a Précis

Although a critical or rhetorical précis is not an essay like an argumentative or expository essay , it follows the same structure.

A précis has an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion .

The introduction is usually a sentence with the author's name, the title of the original piece, the date of publishing, and the author's thesis statement. You can use verbs such as argues, explains, proves, expands the argument, demonstrates, etc.

Some writing experts and professors have suggested that you start your précis with a hook and then restate the thesis of the author of the original piece.

Each body paragraph of your précis should explain different parts of the original piece. Focus on the ideas, purpose, and evidence presented by the author.

Do not interpret, criticize, or analyze the arguments of the author . Where necessary, use quotes or phrases from the text but intelligibly. For instance, Paulo Coelho's quotation, It's part of the human condition to want to share things, thoughts, ideas, and opinions, could become Humans want to share ideas with others.

The conclusion of your précis should restate the main idea, summarize everything, and avoid making any personal judgments about the original piece.

How to Write a Précis Step-by-Step

So, you get a prompt like this one from your English 1102 class:

OBJECTIVE: Practice summarizing evidence and conclusions of academic articles in the rhetorical précis format to, ultimately, compose an annotated bibliography using sources that pertain to a topic of your interest.

PART I: Précis

Select 2 relevant sources for examination. Both should be scholarly/peer-reviewed.
Read carefully, looking for the main conclusions and the evidence to support those conclusions.
Write a short paragraph for each source following the rhetorical précis model found on pp. 212 of the Guide to First-Year Writing.

You first wonder what you should do, how you can start, and how you will complete the paper. Instead of panicking, follow these eight steps and write a rhetorical précis that appeals to your professor : one they will forever use as an example. So how do you get to do it step-by-step? Here is how to proceed with writing your précis:

First Step: Read the prompt

Like other assignments, you must begin by reading the rhetorical précis essay prompt. In most cases, the prompt specifies the number of words. For instance, your professor might require you to write an 800:1000-word essay in MLA format. The prompt will also specify the exact pages or chapters if it is a book.

Second Step: Read the original piece

Read the text on which you are to write a précis several times. If it is short, 2-5 times is recommended; otherwise, two times is the standard for long texts. Use the headings and subheadings as your guide to getting the gist of the text.

Ensure that you read the assigned readings and understand each article's essence. In other words, what is the central argument related to the theme discussed in class?

Third Step: Re-read the original and take notes

Annotate or mark the text as you read. Here is where you highlight the major points that stick out. You can do this by underlining or highlight the most important points in the original text. If you are reading using PDF readers, you can use the power to highlight and add notes. It helps you knit together the thesis of the author.

Fourth Step: Put together the highlighted ideas

If the author or novel words use evidence, take a keen interest and look them up. Also, study the statistics used to corroborate facts in the text.

Collect these highlighted passages in point form. Write a list of two or three main ideas the essays, articles, or original pieces share.

Fifth Step: Develop the thesis

Restate the authors' thesis in your own words. When doing this, be clear, accurate, and concise. If it is a long piece, try to find the major arguments that the author is bringing forth. Write a brief outline of your argument.

Sixth Step: Breakdown your précis (outline)

Provide one to two sentence summaries of each paragraph from the author's work. If the text is long, divide it into sections or chapters and give a summary. Division by chapter would be prudent for a précis on a novel.

Seventh Step: Write the précis

write the précis. It should feature a short introductory paragraph, usually one sentence. Develop the body paragraph as outlined in the previous sections. Conclude the précis by summarizing the facts and restating the thesis.

Think of it this way: you summarize the lecture for a friend who missed the class, and the material will be on an upcoming test. Also, you may want to include a brief statement about the article's tone, audience, or purpose.

Ensure that you do great work when citing a précis. Consistently place the in-text citations per the recommended formatting style, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago formats.

Also, ensure that at the end of your paper, you have works cited, reference, or reference list page. Likewise, have an outstanding title page .

Eighth Step: Proofread, edit, and polish

Proofread, edit, and submit the précis paper on time. Consider revising the assignment prompt/instructions. Also, compare your précis with the original text and weed out any similarities. Focus on your grammar and spelling while ensuring you maintain coherence and clarity. You can read it aloud or use a third eye, such as online editing services .

Paragraphing: The Four-Sentence Rhetorical Précis

When writing your précis, you can adopt the four-sentence rhetorical précis paragraph format. This highly structured paragraph records the essential elements of the discourse, whether spoken or written.

Notably, each of the four sentences bears specific information, as we shall see shortly. When writing with this format, the précis might have brief quotations that convey the author's sense of style, unique voice, and tone.

First Sentence

Name of the author (if possible, a description of their credential)
The genre (essay, lecture, research paper, book chapter, book review, editorial, etc.
Date (in parentheses)
A rhetorically accurate present tense verb (argues, asserts, suggests, implies, claims, questions, concurs, explains, etc.
The THAT clause, comes before mentioning the assertion or thesis statement from the author's text.

Second Sentence

An explanation of how the author develops or supports the thesis (narration, comparison and contrasting, illustration, listing, telling, or definition, etc.)
Explanation in chronological order as the items of support are presented in the original text
Uses present tense verbs

Third Sentence

Statement of the author's purpose in the original text
An IN ORDER TO clause that explains what the author wants the audience to feel or do after reading the piece

Fourth Sentence

A description of the author's tone: formal, informal, condescending, sarcastic, humorous, contemptuous, etc.
Description of the intended audience

The four-sentence précis Template

First Sentence: (Author's full name) _______________________________________, in his/her (essay, novel, poem, article, painting, short story, etc.) _______________________ (year for APA attribution)__________, asserts that ________________________________________. Second sentence: (Author's last name) ____________________________________ supports this assertion by (showing, offering, using, citing, challenging, etc.) _______________________________examples of______________________________________________________ .

Third sentence: His/her purpose is to __________________________________.

Fourth sentence: He/She (establishes, creates, constructs, suggests, offers, presents, etc.) ____________________ a/an ______________________________________________________with/for his/her audience of ______________________________________________________________________________ who _________________.

Sample four-sentence rhetorical précis

Here are some examples of well-written précis paragraphs.

Sandra M. Gilbert, professor of English at the University of California, Davis, in her essay Plain Jane's Progress (1977), suggests that Charlotte BrontÃƒÂ« intended Jane Eyre to resemble John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress in that Jane's pilgrimage through a series of events based on the enclosure and escape motif eventually lead toward the equality that BrontÃƒÂ« herself sought. Gilbert supports this conclusion by using the structure of the novel to highlight the places Jane has been confined, the changes she undergoes during the process of escape, and the individuals and experiences that lead to her maturation concluding that "this marriage of true minds at Ferndean : this is the way" (501). Her purpose is to help readers see the role of women in Victorian England in order to help them understand the uniqueness and daring of BrontÃƒÂ«'s work. She establishes a formal relationship with her audience of literary scholars interested in feminist criticism who are familiar with the work of BrontÃƒÂ«, Bunyan, Lord Byron, and others and are intrigued by feminist theory as it relates to Victorian literature.

Adapted from Source

Sheridan Baker, in his essay "Attitudes" (1966), asserts that writers' attitudes toward their subjects, their audiences, and themselves determine to a large extent the quality of their prose. Baker supports this assertion by showing examples of how inappropriate attitudes can make writing unclear, pompous, or boring, concluding that a good writer "will be respectful toward his audience, considerate toward his readers, and somehow amiable toward human failings" (58). His purpose is to make his readers aware of the dangers of negative attitudes in order to help them become better writers. He establishes an informal relationship with his audience of college students who are interested in learning to write "with conviction.

Analysis of the précis paragraph

NOTE that the first sentence identifies the author (Baker), the genre (essay), the title and date, and uses an active verb (asserts) and the relative pronoun that to explain what exactly Baker asserts. The second sentence explains the first by offering chronological examples from Baker's essay, while the third sentence suggests the author's purpose and WHY (in order to) he has set out that purpose (or seems to have set out that purpose -- not all essays are explicit about this information and readers have to put the pieces together). The final sentence identifies the primary audience of the essay (college students) and suggests how this audience is brought into/connected to the essay's purpose.

Toni Morrison, in her essay "Disturbing Nurses and the Kindness of Sharks," implies that racism in the United States has affected the craft and process of American novelists. Morrison supports her implication by describing how Ernest Hemingway writes about black characters in his novels and short stories. Her purpose is to make her readers aware of the cruel reality of racism underlying some of the greatest works of American literature in order to help them examine the far-reaching effects racism has not only on those discriminated against but also on those who discriminate. She establishes a formal and highly analytical tone with her audience of racially mixed (but probably mainly white), theoretically sophisticated readers, and critical interpreters of American literature.

In her article Who Cares if Johnny Can't Read? (1997), Larissa MacFarquhar asserts that Americans are reading more than ever despite claims to the contrary and that it is time to reconsider why we value reading so much, especially certain kinds of high culture reading. MacFarquhar supports her claims about American reading habits with facts and statistics that compare past and present reading practices, and she challenges common assumptions by raising questions about reading's intrinsic value. Her purpose is to dispel certain myths about reading to raise new and more important questions about the value of reading and other media in our culture. She seems to have a young, hip, somewhat irreverent audience in mind because her tome is sarcastic, and she suggests that the ideas she opposes are old-fashioned positions.

Adopted from this source .

Statesman and philosopher, Thomas Jefferson, in The Declaration of Independence (1776), argues that God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness entitle the colonists to freedom from the oppressive British government and guarantee them the right to declare independence. He supports his claim by first invoking the fact of our inalienable rights, then he establishes the circumstances under which a people can throw off an oppressive government; he next proceeds to show that these circumstances have been created by King George II whose oppressive rule now forces the colonists to the separation. The purpose of this document is to convince all readers of the necessity to officially declare independence from Great Britain in order to establish a separate independent nation, the United States of America. Jefferson establishes a passionate and challenging tone for a worldwide audience, but particularly the British and King George III.

Sample précis Questions

Here are two examples of précis homework assignment questions:

1. Write the précis of" liberation, division, and war."

Write a précis which contains the following elements:

What is the author's thesis
How the author develops the thesis?
Why you chose this reading? (If this helped you? how?)

2. Writing a précis

Lippi-Green, Teaching Children to Discriminate

Checklist of a Good précis

We cannot conclude our précis writing guide without exploring some of its great features. Here is a checklist to ensure your précis stands out.

It should be clear, correct, objective, coherent, and concise.
Has a mix of short and long sentences.
The précis should have a unique title.
Do not have irrelevant facts on the author or piece of work.
Should only involve arguments of the author in the particular work.
A précis that is not a critical analysis or reflection of the text.
It is not a merely paraphrased version of the original text.
Devoid of grammar or spelling mistakes.
Formatted, styles, and organized in MLA, APA, Chicago, or Harvard.

Our Final Thoughts on Précis Writing

Our insights in this comprehensive guide can help you understand how to start and complete writing a précis. To be clear, no professor likes reading mediocre précis. So, make sure yours stands out.

Now that you know how to write a précis, we wish you well.

Related Read: Titling an article in an essay.

However, in modern times, students might seek help writing different essays. When you have a part-time job, no time to complete assignments, or you suck at writing, writing a précis can be torturous, so you should trust online custom writing services .

Our paper writing service can come in handy and help you cover more work. We have professionals who are proficient in writing précis essays.

A skilled essay writer will read the text and write a précis for you. It is never a shame to seek help, as you have no other option, and failing is not an option in the competitive world.

Let us help you navigate the turbulence of college education. Above all, reading this article will inform you more about writing a précis. You are ready for the challenge; write it like a pro!

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

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Precis Writing

Updated on
Jan 12, 2024

Precis Writing : If you were to describe what happens in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ in 15-20 lines, how would you say it? To describe such a lengthy play of 2000+ sentences, you would specifically talk about the main events or highlights and wrap it up. That’s exactly what Precis writing is. Precis writing is among the common and essential literature writing skills that are applicable in multiple areas and are an important topic for Bank exams , Government Exams , MBA entrance exams , and also in class 8th and 9th syllabus. Let’s understand what precis writing is, its examples with solutions, tips and practice worksheets for you to brush up your writing skills.

This Blog Includes:

What is precis writing, precis writing format, do’s and don’ts of precis writing, understand the text/narrative, highlight and divide the text, create a mind map, writing your precis, review your precis, qualities of a good precis 🎯, uses of precis writing, essential rules for good precis writing , points to avoid for precis writing .

Precis Writing is a summary. It is an exercise of compression. A precis writing is a gist of any passage in as few words as possible. A precis should mention all important details of the original paragraph so that anyone who is reading it can understand the idea of the original passage.

Taking the above example forward, to describe the essential highlights and events that take place in The Merchant of Venice, you will not add your own thoughts and maintain the tone and expressions of the characters. You will also avoid mentioning events that aren’t essential. This is how precis writing works. You express or rewrite a paragraph or any type of writing and make it as concise as possible without having to change the crux of the subject matter.

In precis writing, you must be carefully objective and maintain the theme of the passage without excluding the important points. Comprehend the passage carefully to conclude about what is important in an article or a story. You might take a while to read it the first time, but as you keep reading it, the later times might just be an easy skim over the pages. Precis writing requires a very strong understanding of the story/ text to convey the same message in a miniature form.

The word Precis comes from the Latin ‘praecisus’ and the old French ‘précis’ which means abrupt, abridged, cut off, or shortened. The word Precis is pronounced with a silent ‘s’ (Pray-see).

How to Write a Precis?

Owing to the repeatedly mentioned importance of keeping a precis short, writing a precis requires you to carefully understand the points that will provide the necessary highlights of the content. It might sound easy, but comprehending a text and keeping its theme intact requires strong skills and a lot of brainstorming. Here are the steps that can easily help you compose a clear precis.

The main and the most crucial point is to read the text multiple times. It is possible that you might have missed some point or not have understood it. Reading it persistently can take you through some overlooked points and explain certain points in a better manner. After perusing the text a few times, you will easily connect through the points and also form a mental outline of the content.

Divide the text into smaller parts and make sure you use a highlighter to highlight the main details for further reference. Create an order of the texts so that you line up each event and do not muddle up the points.

Before constructing your precis, have a rough outline or a map with all the points you think are necessary. Read it and compare it to the text. You might want to add/omit certain points to make it more clear. Make sure your outline follows the order of the text.

Start constructing your precis and make sure you compress the text by using shorter sentences and cutting out redundancy. Make sure you keep a word count of your precis. It should be 1/4th of the main text. The four main points to remember while constructing your precis are:

Add a suitable title for your precis which is in line with the content.
It should be written in the third person.
The text should be in an indirect form.
Use appropriate past tense.

Reread your precis multiple times and check for errors or grammatical mistakes. Compare it with the original text and check if both the compositions exhibit the same themes and convey the exact message. In the end, add the number of words used in your precis in a bracket.

Check Out : Story Writing Format

What are the parameters to judge precis writing? The following are some attributes that describe a good precis.

🎯 Accurate and Precise 🎯 Clear and coherent 🎯 Well connected 🎯 Original 🎯 A suitable title

Also Read: Famous Books by Rabindranath Tagore

People often want to go through the highlights of books, movies, meetings, an article, reports, news , etc. This is when precis writing works to deliver the main points to the audience without making any modifications in the proportion, tone, or theme of the content. Precis writing plays an essential role in the following areas:

Precis writing can be used to describe a chapter so that students get the gist of the basics.
Precis writing is also used in companies for job descriptions, meeting highlights, etc.
The use of precis writing is also seen in movies to describe the main events or plot of the film.
Precis writing is also used in scientific reports and research to give the gist of its content.

Sample of Precis Writing

Here is an example of precis writing with a solution:

“The internet has revolutionized the way we communicate and access information. With the click of a button, we can connect with people around the world, share ideas, and stay informed about current events. This instant access to vast amounts of information has both positive and negative implications. On the positive side, it allows for unprecedented global connectivity and the democratization of knowledge. However, it also raises concerns about privacy, misinformation, and the potential for online abuse. As we navigate this digital age, it is essential to strike a balance between the benefits and challenges posed by the internet.”

“The internet’s transformative impact on communication and information retrieval is evident. Instant global connectivity and knowledge democratization are positive outcomes, yet concerns arise regarding privacy, misinformation, and online abuse. Striking a balance between the benefits and challenges of the digital age becomes crucial.”

The basic core of evolution – survival, and reproduction- has been proven over and over through our various behavioural patterns. Let’s retrograde and explore what are some exciting concepts that have been performed by humans before us and how did it occur. Almost every organism has the tendency to react to certain stimuli for survival. This reaction to each and every situation has an evolutionary basis of adaptation. The study of human emotions dates back to the 19th century and psychologists have discovered many reasons for every emotion, yet these are just theories. The arousal of emotions and their assumed structures is said to occur due to repeated encounters with a situation followed by the adaptation of the encounter. Human emotions have been linked to adaptively regulate emotion-gathering mechanisms. The emotion of fear which is associated with ancient parts of the brain has presumably evolved among our pre-mammal ancestors while the emotion of a mother’s love called the ‘filial emotion’ has seen to evolve among early mammals. Various emotions work as manipulative strategies that favour survival. Feigning emotions by an accused person may help him be saved from the punishment. An exaggerated display of anger is also associated with manipulating or threatening someone. Despite there being several emotions for various events, ironically the most interesting emotion is the emotion of disgust. Disgust is aroused when the body senses a danger to the immunity or the physiology of the human. The disgusted memory is associated with alerting the brain of a potentially dangerous substance. A few studies have shown that the encoding triggered in adaptive memory for problems is stronger than any other behaviour. This makes us instantly have a disgusted expression at the sight of something that makes us uncomfortable or uneasy. These expressions are also closely linked to self-protective communication.

Title: Human Evolution and Emotions

The emotions that humans express and react to stimuli in the environment have an evolutionary basis. Emotions are assumed to be a result of repeated encounters with a certain event. According to evolution, emotions like fear, love, feigning, anger, and disgust are results of consistent reactions in particular situations. Some expressions are often built up or adapted as a form of self-protection.

Precis writing can be complicated since you need to cut down all points that aren’t important. While keeping the tips in mind, avoid making the following mistakes while writing a precis.

Do not elaborate a lot on a single point.
Do not use your own interpretation, criticism, or assumption about the text.
Do not copy sentences from the original text or use abbreviations.
Do not break the flow of events and keep the text well connected.

Also Know: What is the Difference Between an Author and a Writer?

The types of precis are: Precis of continuous matter, Precis of speech, Precis of correspondence and Precis of telegraphese.

The main point of writing a precis is to read the passage carefully to summarise it.

Hope you are now well prepared to prepare a well-composed precis. Make sure you keep practicing which will help you learn new skills and help you become confident while writing. If you wish to learn creative writing , reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu who will find the best course that can equip you with the knowledge and skills. Sign up for a free session. You can call our Leverage Edu experts on 1800 572 000 to find out how the application process can be fast-tracked and streamlined!

A creative writer, Sidrah is zealous about enhancing student interaction and engagement. She has majored in psychology and enjoys exploring human history. If not at work, you can find her binging films or strolling on the beach.

14 comments

Thanks for your comment! You can further read: Letter Writing Summary Writing Difference Between Precis and Summary

Thanks for reading. Also, check: Letter Writing Summary Writing Difference Between Precis and Summary

Thankyou…

Thanks for reading. Also check: Letter Writing Summary Writing Difference Between Precis and Summary

Helped me a lot. Thank you so much.😊

Hello Krishna, We are glad that you liked our content! Here are some more blogs that will help you to improve your writing skills: https://leverageedu.com/blog/creative-writing-topics/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/article-writing/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/letter-writing/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/how-to-write-an-email/

well explained.

Hello Umesha, we are delighted to know that you have found our blog to be useful. Here are some more interesting reads that we would like to recommend you: https://leverageedu.com/blog/how-to-become-a-writer/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/how-to-be-a-content-writer/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/travel-writer/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/travel-writing-courses/

This blog really helped me to get the idea of precis writing. I can now write precis and it has became easy for me now. Thanks

Hello Arnesh,

Glad that this blog on precis writing could help you. Precis writing is an important section in Class 10th English Language and Grammar. To know more about Class 10th Grammar, please read our blog- https://leverageedu.com/blog/grammar-for-class-10/ .

It very interesting n good precis…

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Mastering the Art of Precis Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Optimal Strategies for Crafting Succinct Summaries

The term “PRECIS” finds its origins in the French language, signifying “to be precise” or “to condense.” In simpler terms, it denotes a summary, the essence, or the core of a given passage. It resembles the act of pruning surplus verbiage from a text, akin to a seasoned and vigilant horticulturist who trims away superfluous elements and foliage from plants to bestow upon them an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Therefore, a précis stands as a concise composition, characterized by a continuous narrative and unequivocal meaning.

An exemplary précis should exhibit the following attributes: An impeccable précis must be succinct and terse, presenting solely the primary facets of the text in the fewest words possible, excluding all irrelevant particulars, extraneous verbiage, and circumlocutory expressions. An impeccable précis should offer lucidity and unambiguity. It should shun obscurity and vagueness, endeavoring to reproduce ideas with nearly the same degree of clarity as found in the original text, ideally within one-third of its original length. An impeccable précis should form a cohesive whole, akin to a seamless, comprehensive entity. An impeccable précis should present a well-connected and coherent narrative. It should read like a unified composition, maintaining absolute coherence and unity.

Vigilance must be exercised to ensure that the crafted précis is comprehensive, encapsulating all pertinent points and ideas without omitting any crucial concepts present in the source text.

Guidelines for Composing a Précis

(1) The student ought to peruse the passage once or twice, striving to comprehend its overarching purpose and deriving the title for the précis. (2) Upon re-reading the passage, identifying and marking essential points that relate to the title is crucial. (3) Unnecessary embellishments such as illustrations, quotations, details, examples, and adjectives should be omitted. Adjectives with specialized or technical connotations may be retained. (4) Systematically arrange all significant points in a logical order, commencing with a clear statement that delineates what follows next. (5) Endeavor to apply one-word substitutions where feasible. (6) The précis should invariably be articulated in the author’s unique phrasing and should not consist of fragments culled directly from the source text. (7) A précis should be presented in indirect narration. (8) Generally, past tense is employed in writing a précis; however, if the passage conveys universal truths, this convention may be disregarded. (9) Unless an absolute necessity arises, conjunctions may be replaced with semicolons. (10) Conversations or dialogues necessitate presentation in narrative form. (11) The précis title is separate from the main text and should not be included in the word count. It should not be referenced within the narrative. (12) The length of a précis should not surpass one-third of the original passage’s total length. (13) Craft a title or heading for your précis. Even if not explicitly requested, a title should always be provided. (14) Always cross-reference your draft précis with the source text to ensure accurate preservation of the original meaning. (15) The language and style of the summary should remain unadorned and straightforward. Figurative language from the source text should be transformed into plain, unambiguous English in the summary. The inclination towards employing intricate, opaque, or polysyllabic vocabulary should be avoided.

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Writing a Summary or Rhetorical Précis to Analyze Nonfiction Texts

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Academic writers across all disciplines analyze texts. They summarize and critique published articles, evaluate papers’ arguments, and reflect on essays. In order to do these things, they have to read complex texts carefully and understand them clearly.

This page is about how you can read and analyze nonfiction texts. When you’ve read a text well, you can then discuss it in class, think critically about it, incorporate it into your writing, consider it in light of other texts, and advance or push against its ideas. We believe two productive strategies for approaching this kind of reading and analysis are active reading and rhetorical précis writing. This page provides a guide to these strategies and practical ways to help you evaluate, compare, and reflect upon nonfiction texts.

Active Reading

Introduction to the rhetorical précis, parts of a rhetorical précis, using a rhetorical précis to guide analysis.

Active reading requires you to slow your reading down, engage more intentionally with the text, think about it, and focus your attention on its ideas. When you read actively, you can’t just flip pages and daydream about tomorrow’s plans. Much has been written about active reading, but generally we recommend that when you read you:

Skim over the text before reading it. Look to see how long it is, where it’s published, how it may be divided into sections, what kind of works cited list it has, whether there are appendices, etc. Use the title to help you predict what the text is about and what it argues. This overview will help you to understand the context, genre, and purpose of this piece as well as help you gauge how long it will take you to read it and how it might be relevant to your class, paper, or project.
Take notes about the text’s key ideas and your responses to those ideas. Depending on the text and your preferences, these notes could be made on your copy of the text or article or in a separate place. Notes will help you remember and process what the text is about and what you think about it.

In addition to these strategies, we firmly believe that one of the best ways to understand a book, article, essay, blog post, etc. is to write a summary of it. Specifically, we recommend that you use your reading to generate a rhetorical précis.

“Précis” is French for “specific” or “precise.” It’s also a particular kind of writing. When you write a précis you have to exactly and succinctly account for the most important parts of a text. If you write a successful précis, it is a good indication that you’ve read that text closely and that you understand its major moves and arguments. Writing a précis is an excellent way to show that you’ve closely read a text.

Disclaimer: There are different kinds of précis for different contexts. A legal précis is different from what we’re talking about here. Some précis are longer or shorter than others. If you are writing a précis as a course assignment, be sure to follow your instructor’s guidance on what this should consist of and how it should be formatted.

Sometimes rhetorical précis writing is a course requirement. However, even if you aren’t required to write a précis for a class, writing one can help you in a number of ways. Writing a précis guides your reading and directs your attention to the key aspects of a text. Précis writing prepares you to discuss a text and sets you up for that important next step: analysis. A rhetorical précis can even help you structure your annotated bibliography annotations or provide you with summary sentences to include in a paper as you account for your sources.

A rhetorical précis, as developed by Margaret K. Woodworth and described in her 1988 article “The Rhetorical Précis” (published by Rhetoric Review), consists of four dense but direct sentences.

The first sentence identifies who wrote the text, where and when it was published, and what its topic and claim are.
The second sentence explores how the text is developed and organized.
The third sentence explains why the author wrote this, her purpose or intended effect.
The fourth and final sentence describes the “for whom” of the text by clarifying who the intended or assumed audience of this text is.

Let’s look more closely at those four parts.

First Sentence: Who, Where, When, and What?

Start by identifying the author and offering any information that might help clarify who this person is in relation to this text. Is this a scholar? If so, what is her field? Is she a public official or a prominent blogger? Is he a public intellectual? A reporter? A spokesperson? Has he written other stuff? Locate a bio in the journal or the book cover. Do a quick internet search. Figuring out who the writer is will help you understand some of the texts’ context.

Next up, the publication. What is its title? Is it a book in a series or an article in a special collection? Does it appear in the leisure section of a local newspaper? Sometimes the title of the journal is self-explanatory, but at other times it’s unfamiliar or not clearly connected to a specific discipline. Explain it as necessary. Add the date in parentheses after the title of the text. Unless it’s a newspaper, magazine, or time-sensitive online article, usually just the year will suffice.

The rest of the sentence should be about the article’s topic—what it is about. In order to make this part particularly precise, use a rhetorically strong verb to describe the author’s claim. For example, the author may suggest, argue, analyze, imply, urge, contrast, or claim something.

Second Sentence: How?

In this sentence, provide a very condensed outline of how the author develops, structures, and supports the argument. What kind of evidence does the article draw upon? How is the case built? Perhaps by comparing and contrasting, illustrating, defining, or providing context? Perhaps the text starts out with a narrative and then moves into a description of several research studies? This sentence should account for all the most important moves made across this piece.

Third Sentence: Why?

What does the writer want the reader to do, believe, feel, or think about all this? What was the purpose of this text? In the first sentence, you told us what that author is arguing; now it is time to consider why the author has done all of this. Use an “in order to” phrase in this sentence to very clearly indicate the purpose.

Fourth Sentence: For Whom?

In the final sentence, identify the author’s intended audience and offer some rationale for how you know that to be the audience. Look back at the publication and think about who is likely to read this kind of magazine, journal, or book. Pay attention to the language used in this piece and how much background the writer provides. What does the writer assume readers believe, know, or value? Identifying the audience helps you consider how rhetorically effective this text is.

An Annotated Sample of a Rhetorical Précis

Take a look at this annotated précis of William Cronon’s 1995 article “The Trouble with Wilderness: Or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature.” It closely follows the précis structure outlined above.

In “The Trouble With Wilderness: Or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature” (1995), the opening essay of the edited collection Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human Place in Nature, renowned environmental historian William Cronon [Comment: The information about who Cronon is was very easily located at the end of the article and through a quick internet search.] critiques the romantic idolization of supposedly untouched, vast wilderness and argues that such a perspective of wilderness negatively affects humankind’s relationship with nature. Cronon builds a historical case for wilderness as a human construct, explores the cultural and literary foundations for the belief that wilderness is a sublime frontier, identifies the problematic paradoxes inherent in this belief, and outlines the detriments of and possible paradigm–shifting solutions to this environmental problem. [Comment: One of the challenges of the second sentence is to decide what not to include. In this case, more could be said about what those paradoxes and detriments are, but since the focus here is on the “how” instead of the “what,” they have been left out. If those kinds of unidentified details are important enough, there is room to mention them more thoroughly in the third sentence.] Cronon opposes the perspective of wilderness as an idealized, non–human space in order to persuade his readers to live rightly in relationship to nature and embrace the reality that “home” as a welcoming, responsibility–requiring place encompasses both “wilderness” and “civilization.” [Comment: Often there is more than one “why,” so be on the look out for this as you actively read.] According to his specific identification, scholarly presentation, and publication venue, Cronon’s primary audience includes American environmentalist academics. [Comment: In the later third of this essay, Cronon uses the pronoun “we” to identify himself and his assumed readership. Often authors aren’t this useful in helping to identify an audience.]

Writing a good précis is a lot of work. It takes dedicated time and consideration. But, it can be useful in and of itself and productive in the development of additional academic writing. Of course, the most obvious application of a précis is connected to its function as a summary. In academic writing, we summarize sources all the time. Once you have written a précis, you can incorporate some of its sentences or ideas into your writing when you need to quickly account for a text’s argument, content, or purpose.

But a rhetorical précis is even more powerfully useful for writing analysis.

Etymologically, “analysis” comes from the Ancient Greek terms for “throughout” and “loosening.” When you analyze something, you deconstruct it, extract its parts, peer inside to see how everything fits together. You thoroughly loosen it in order to understand it better. When you’ve used a précis to lay out the primary elements of this text (the author; the argument’s what, how, and why; and the audience) in front of you, you’re ready to move on with your analysis. Analysis of nonfiction texts can take several forms, but three common ones are: evaluation and critique, comparison, and reflection.

Evaluation and Critique

Evaluating a text requires you to use your analysis to consider and critique the strengths and weaknesses of that piece of writing. Look back at the argument and audience and ask yourself some of these questions:

Is this a persuasive argument for this group of readers?
How well is the author’s argument developed and clarified through the structure of the text?
Where does the logic of the argument and its supporting evidence cohere or fall apart?
Do the author’s background, tone, evidence, and assumptions foster credibility?
Does the piece achieve what the author intended?

Detailed answers—with examples—to any of these or similar questions could generate enough material for a close, analytical evaluation. Make sure that you are connecting your assertions about what works and doesn’t work in this text to the author, the argument’s development and purpose, and the audience. Make sure that you are looking deeply at how and why various elements of the text and its argument succeed or falter.

Through comparison, you bring together an analysis of more than one text. Start by writing a précis for each piece you have to compare. Then look at each précis side–by–side and ask yourself about how a sentence in one précis relates to the corresponding sentence in the other précis. Here are some questions to guide your thinking:

Are all texts addressing a parallel idea?
Are they making similar or different arguments?
Have they employed similar methods to arrive at their arguments?
Are they using the same kind of structure to develop those arguments?
What is different about their intended audiences?
Is one more or less successful or persuasive than the other?

Let what you identify as being similar and different about these texts guide your comparative analysis.

Reflection provides you with space to analyze a text in light of your experiences, perspectives, and ideas. In this kind of writing, you get to talk about yourself. In a way, a reflective analysis is kind of like a comparative analysis where the second text is you. Look back at that rhetorical précis and ask yourself questions like these, or other questions that connect what you know and have experienced with the text you have read:

What else have you read or experienced that furthers or complicates the argument made by this text?
How do you see that these ideas fit into the larger context of what you’ve been studying in this course?
Why do you have a particular opinion or response towards this piece of writing?
Moving forward, how can this text, its argument, or its presentation be influential in shaping your thinking or research?

In order to analyze a text, you need to understand key elements of it. Closely reading that text and summarizing it through a rhetorical précis can help you understand it better. In large part, the quality of your analysis will be dependent on the quality of your comprehension. So, give yourself the time you need to read carefully, think deeply, and analyze effectively.

Works Cited

Cronon, William. “The Trouble with Wilderness: Or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature.” Environmental History , vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 7–28.

Woodworth, Margaret K. “The Rhetorical Précis.” Rhetoric Review , vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 156–64.

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Home » English Composition » Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

Precis writing is an invaluable skill that demands a keen understanding of a passage’s core ideas and the ability to condense them into a concise form. In this article, we’ll explore common questions related to precis writing, providing detailed answers, examples, and relevant topics to help you master this essential skill.

Understanding Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

Precis writing involves summarizing a given passage while maintaining its key ideas and essence. It requires precision, clarity, and an adept grasp of language. Let’s delve into some frequently asked questions about precis writing.

What is Precis Writing?

Precis writing is a concise summary or shortened version of a text , maintaining its essence while condensing its main points. It involves extracting essential information, restructuring sentences, and ensuring clarity without losing the original meaning. The goal is to present a brief yet comprehensive rendition of the original material.

Why is Precis Writing Important?

Precis writing enhances communication skills, promotes clarity, and is widely used in academia, professional settings, and competitive exams.

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5 Important Rules for Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

Understand the Passage Thoroughly: Read the given text multiple times to grasp its main ideas, key arguments, and nuances.

Identify Key Elements: Focus on the central theme, main points, and supporting details that convey the author’s message.

Maintain Clarity and Conciseness: Express the essence of the passage in your own words, ensuring clarity without losing the original meaning.

Craft a Coherent Structure: Follow a logical sequence, including an introduction, body, and conclusion, mirroring the original composition.

Use Precise Language: Choose words judiciously, avoiding unnecessary details while capturing the essential elements.

Global supply chains face unprecedented challenges, ranging from disruptions due to the pandemic to geopolitical tensions. The reliance on interconnected systems highlights vulnerabilities, prompting a reassessment of supply chain resilience. Businesses grapple with issues like demand variability, logistics bottlenecks, and the need for sustainable practices. The ongoing transformation underscores the importance of agile supply chain strategies, digital innovations, and a holistic approach to mitigate risks and build a more resilient global economy.

Global supply chains face challenges like pandemic disruptions and geopolitical tensions, highlighting vulnerabilities in interconnected systems. Businesses face demand variability, logistics bottlenecks, and sustainable practices. Agile strategies, digital innovations, and holistic approaches are crucial for mitigating risks and building a resilient global economy.

Format of a good Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the central theme of the original passage.

Introduction:

Begin with a sentence that encapsulates the main idea and introduces the author and context.
Include essential details like the author’s name, title of the passage, and publication source.
Analyze the passage and extract its essential points.
Condense each major point into a clear, well-structured sentence.
Preserve the logical order and emphasis of the original passage.

Conclusion:

Summarize the overall message or argument of the passage.
Conclude with a sentence that reinforces the importance or impact of the author’s ideas.

Word Limit:

Keep the precis within the specified word limit, typically one-third of the original passage’s length.

Clarity and Coherence:

Ensure each sentence flows logically from the preceding one.
Use straightforward language to maintain clarity.

Avoid Personal Opinions:

Refrain from inserting personal opinions or interpretations into the precis.

Original Tone:

Capture the original tone and style of the author to maintain the passage’s integrity.

Example to verify the above points:

The surge in online learning has reshaped the educational landscape, accelerated by global events that necessitated remote alternatives. Virtual classrooms offer flexibility, accessibility, and diverse learning resources. However, challenges such as the digital divide and the need for robust online pedagogy persist. The ongoing debate about the efficacy of online learning underscores the importance of adapting traditional educational models to the digital era. Balancing technological advancements with inclusive practices remains essential in providing quality education for diverse learners

Title: “Transformative Impact of Online Learning”

“The surge in online learning, accelerated by global events necessitating remote alternatives, has reshaped the educational landscape. This phenomenon has given rise to virtual classrooms, offering flexibility, accessibility, and diverse learning resources.”

Online learning is reshaping education, emphasizing flexibility and diverse resources.
Challenges such as the digital divide and the need for robust online pedagogy persist in the evolving landscape.
Despite these challenges, virtual classrooms provide essential flexibility, accessibility, and diverse learning resources.
The ongoing debate about the efficacy of online learning highlights the need to adapt traditional educational models to the digital era.
Balancing technological advancements with inclusive practices is deemed essential in providing quality education for diverse learners.

In conclusion, the revolutionary influence of online learning, despite overcoming challenges, highlights the need to adjust traditional models.. Balancing technology with inclusivity is crucial for delivering quality education in this digital era.”

Precis Word Count: 108 words (within the acceptable range).

The precis maintains clarity and coherence, ensuring each point logically progresses from the introduction to the conclusion.

The precis refrains from incorporating personal opinions, presenting the ideas objectively.

The tone of the original passage, emphasizing the transformative impact of online learning, is faithfully captured in the precis.

Length of Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples in Different Exams

The acceptable length of a precis can vary depending on the specific exam or guidelines provided. Generally, the length of a precis is specified in terms of words or a percentage of the original text’s length.

For instance:

In some exams or academic settings, a precis might be required to be one-third (1/3) or one-fourth (1/4) of the original passage’s length. If the original passage is 300 words, the precis should be around 100-150 words.
Other exams might specify an exact word count for the precis, such as 100 words, 150 words, or any other specific count.

It’s essential to carefully follow the instructions in the exam or assignment guidelines regarding the required length of the precis. Exceeding or falling short of the specified word count might lead to penalties or a lower assessment score.

5 Dos & Don’ts in Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

Dos in precis writing:, understand the passage thoroughly:.

Do: Read the given text multiple times to grasp its main ideas and nuances.

Identify Key Elements :

Do: Focus on the central theme, main points, and supporting details to capture the essence.

Maintain Clarity and Conciseness:

Do: Express the ideas in clear, concise language, avoiding unnecessary details while preserving the original meaning.

Craft a Coherent Structure:

Do: Organize your precis with a logical structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion that mirror the original flow.

Use Precise Language:

Do: Choose words judiciously for clarity and brevity, ensuring every word contributes to the overall meaning.

Don’ts in Precis Writing:

Don’t: Insert personal opinions or interpretations into the precis; maintain objectivity.

Don’t Exceed Word Limit:

Don’t: Exceed the specified word limit, typically one-third of the original passage’s length.

Avoid Unnecessary Details:

Don’t: Include unnecessary details that do not contribute to the core ideas of the passage.

Don’t Alter the Original Meaning:

Don’t: Change the meaning or emphasis of the original passage while expressing it in your own words.

Don’t Disregard Logical Flow:

Don’t: Disrupt the logical flow of ideas; ensure each sentence follows logically from the preceding one.

Following these dos and don’ts will help create a precise and accurate summary while adhering to the guidelines of the task.

5 Key Differences between Precis and Summary

Precis: Typically, a precis is much shorter than a summary, often limited to one-third or one-fourth of the original passage’s length.
Summary: Summaries can vary in length and are generally more comprehensive, covering the main points of the entire text.

2. Level of Detail:

Precis: Focuses on condensing the passage to its essential points, often omitting examples, anecdotes, or illustrative details.
Summary: May include more details, examples, and supporting information to provide a more thorough overview of the original text.

3. Writing Style:

Precis: Requires rewriting the passage in a concise manner while maintaining the original author’s tone and style.
Summary: Allows for a more flexible writing style, and the summarizer may use their own words and structure to convey the main ideas.

4. Purpose:

Precis: Primarily aims to capture the core ideas of the passage while maintaining brevity; often used in academic or formal contexts.
Summary: Aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the entire text, including major themes, supporting details, and conclusions; used in various contexts, from academic to casual.

5. Content Inclusion:

Precis: Typically includes only the central theme, main points, and essential supporting details necessary to convey the passage’s meaning.
Summary: Can include a broader range of information, encompassing the main ideas, subplots, and various aspects of the original content to present a more holistic view.

In essence, while both a precis and a summary involve condensing a text, a precis is more focused on brevity and essential elements, while a summary may be more extensive and flexible in its coverage.

Here are 10 precis writing examples on current topics, with corresponding Answers:

Example 1: Impact of Remote Work

The rise of remote work has become a defining feature of the modern workforce. Accelerated by technological advancements and the global response to the pandemic, businesses and employees are reevaluating traditional office structures. Remote work offers flexibility, enabling professionals to balance personal and professional life. However, challenges such as maintaining team cohesion and addressing potential burnout have emerged. The shift towards remote work signifies a transformative phase in how we approach work, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies and technology-driven collaboration.

The rise of remote work, driven by technological advancements and the pandemic, has transformed the modern workforce, offering flexibility for personal and professional life. However, challenges like team cohesion and burnout persist, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies and technology-driven collaboration.

Example 2: Impact of Climate Change

The alarming acceleration of climate change poses unprecedented threats to the planet. From extreme weather events to rising sea levels, the consequences are evident globally. The urgent need for sustainable practices, renewable energy sources, and international cooperation is more apparent than ever. Governments, businesses, and individuals must collaborate to mitigate the impact and adopt environmentally conscious initiatives. The ongoing discourse on climate change emphasizes the critical role each entity plays in preserving the planet for future generations.

Climate change is a global threat causing extreme weather events and rising sea levels, necessitating immediate action through sustainable practices, renewable energy, and international cooperation, emphasizing the crucial role of governments, businesses, and individuals in preserving the planet.

Example 3: Vaccine Rollout for Global Health

The global effort to vaccinate against COVID-19 is a monumental task with far-reaching implications. Vaccination campaigns, while making significant progress, face challenges related to distribution, vaccine hesitancy, and the emergence of new variants. Access to vaccines in developing countries remains a concern, emphasizing the need for equitable distribution. International collaboration and support are crucial in ensuring widespread vaccination to curb the impact of the ongoing pandemic and pave the way for a return to normalcy.

The global COVID-19 vaccine campaign faces challenges like distribution, vaccine hesitancy, and emerging variants. Equitable access, particularly in developing nations, is crucial for a return to normalcy and mitigating the pandemic’s impact.

Example 4: Rise of Cryptocurrency

The surge in popularity of cryptocurrencies, led by Bitcoin and Ethereum, is reshaping the financial landscape. Investors are drawn to the potential for high returns, and mainstream acceptance of digital currencies is growing. However, regulatory uncertainties and concerns about market volatility persist. The cryptocurrency boom underscores the evolving nature of finance and the need for a balanced approach that embraces innovation while addressing risks associated with this decentralized form of currency.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are gaining popularity due to their high returns, transforming the financial landscape. However, this growth comes with regulatory uncertainties and market volatility concerns, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that embraces innovation while addressing risks.

Example 5: Impact of Social Media on Society

Social media’s pervasive influence on society is profound, shaping communication, culture, and even political discourse. While connecting people globally, concerns about misinformation, privacy breaches, and mental health issues have intensified. The impact of social media on shaping public opinion and fostering both unity and division reflects its dual nature. Balancing the benefits with responsible usage and effective regulation is crucial to harnessing the positive aspects while mitigating the negative consequences.

Social media’s impact on society, communication, culture, and political discourse raises concerns about misinformation, privacy breaches, and mental health. Balancing benefits with responsible usage and effective regulation is crucial to maximize positive impacts and mitigate negative consequences.

Example 6: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is revolutionizing diagnostics and patient care. Machine learning algorithms analyze vast datasets to identify patterns and assist in early disease detection. AI-driven innovations range from personalized treatment plans to predictive analytics, enhancing medical decision-making. While the potential benefits are substantial, ethical considerations, data privacy, and the need for transparent algorithms require careful navigation. The ongoing evolution of AI in healthcare signifies a transformative shift, prompting continuous exploration of its capabilities and responsible implementation.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare by enhancing diagnostics and patient care through machine learning algorithms. This technology enhances medical decision-making, but ethical considerations, data privacy, and transparent algorithms require careful implementation. The ongoing evolution of AI in healthcare is a transformative shift.

Example 7: Impact of Online Learning on Education

The rise of online learning has revolutionized education, offering flexibility and diverse resources. However, challenges like the digital divide and the need for robust online pedagogy persist. The debate emphasizes the need to adapt traditional education to the digital era.

Example 8: Mental Health Challenges in the Digital Age

The digital age brings new mental health challenges, with increased screen time, social media pressures, and the constant influx of information. Concerns about digital addiction, cyberbullying, and the impact on well-being are on the rise. Amid technological advancements, fostering digital mindfulness, promoting positive online behaviors, and integrating mental health support within digital platforms become imperative. Addressing the intersection of mental health and the digital landscape is crucial for creating a healthier and more resilient society.

The digital age presents mental health challenges like screen time, social media pressures, and information overload, leading to concerns about digital addiction and cyberbullying. Therefore, promoting digital mindfulness, positive online behaviors, and mental health support is crucial for a healthier society.

Example 9: Future of Work Post-Pandemic

The post-pandemic future of work is undergoing a paradigm shift. Hybrid work models, remote collaboration tools, and a focus on employee well-being redefine the traditional workplace. Organizations are reevaluating office structures, emphasizing flexibility and technology-driven solutions. Balancing remote work advantages with maintaining organizational culture poses challenges. The evolving work landscape underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and a human-centric approach to foster a thriving workforce in the new normal.

The post-pandemic work landscape is shifting towards hybrid models, remote collaboration tools, and employee well-being. Organizations are reevaluating office structures, emphasizing flexibility and technology-driven solutions. Balancing remote work advantages with organizational culture presents challenges, emphasizing adaptability, continuous learning, and a human-centric approach.

Example 10: Challenges of Global Supply Chains

Frequently asked question – precis writing, what is the precis writing.

Ans: Precis writing is the art of condensing a given text to its essential points, expressing its main ideas and arguments concisely. It requires a clear understanding of the original content while maintaining brevity and coherence in the summarization process.

What is precis and example?

Ans: A precis is a concise summary of a text, capturing its main ideas and arguments. For example, in a precis of an article on climate change, one might condense key points like global impact, environmental challenges, and mitigation strategies while maintaining clarity and brevity.

What are the 4 rules in writing precis?

Ans: 1. Understand the passage thoroughly.

2. Identify key elements, including the main theme and supporting details.

3. Maintain clarity and conciseness in expression.

4. Craft a coherent structure following the original flow.

What is precis writing in SSC CGL?

Ans: In SSC CGL, precis writing assesses candidates’ ability to condense a given passage while retaining its essence. It evaluates comprehension, clarity, and conciseness. Candidates must express the key ideas of the text effectively within a specified word limit.

How can I get full marks in precis writing?

Ans: To secure full marks in precis writing, ensure a thorough understanding of the passage, identify key elements, maintain clarity and conciseness, follow the prescribed structure, and adhere to the specified word limit. Express the essence of the text accurately in your own words.

What is the word limit for precis in SSC?

Ans: In SSC exams, including SSC CGL, the word limit for precis writing is usually around one-third or one-fourth of the original passage’s length. Adhering to the specified word limit is crucial for effective summarization.

What are the 10 rules in writing a precis?

2. Identify main theme and key points.

3. Maintain clarity and conciseness.

4. Follow a coherent structure.

5. Stick to the specified word limit.

6. Use precise language.

7. Avoid personal opinions.

8. Retain the original tone.

9. Do not alter the meaning.

10. Ensure logical flow of ideas.

What is the rule of precis writing?

Ans: The rule of precis writing involves condensing a passage’s essential ideas concisely. Understand the original text, identify key elements, maintain clarity, and follow a coherent structure. Use precise language, adhere to the specified word limit, and retain the author’s tone and meaning.

7 Tips of Good Precis Writing in English for Competitive Exams

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How to Write a Precis

Last Updated: July 30, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 174,025 times.

A précis is a summary of a written work, such as an article, book, or other text. You’ll objectively explain the original text’s main argument, support, and structure, without doing a critical analysis. Although it might seem challenging at first, don't get discouraged! It's simple once you understand the structure. Before you can write your précis, you’ll need to study the text. When writing your précis, use the correct structure and style guidelines.

Studying the Text

Woman sitting on a couch reading a book.

You’ll likely need to read the text several times. You might read a novel twice, but you could read a shorter work 3-5 times.
Skim over the text before you read it, mentally dividing it into sections. If the text has headings and/or subheadings, use these as a guide. Otherwise, you can divide it by paragraph.
If you notice any unfamiliar words, look them up.

If you learn well visually, use different colored highlighters to highlight the thesis, supporting arguments, and important details.
Write notes in the margins to explain important arguments in your own words.

Step 3 Restate the text’s thesis using your own words.

In a longer text, you may need to do a close reading to find the thesis. You should consider the author's arguments and main ideas. Remember, the thesis is the author's controlling idea. For instance, a novel likely won't have a clear thesis, but you could identify what the author is trying to prove or show.
For examples of how to do this, look at book reviews in literary journals or in major newspapers. Remember not to simply copy the thesis, which is considered plagiarism.

Step 4 Summarize each section of the text using 1-2 sentences.

Consider the length and difficulty of the text when dividing your sections. There’s no wrong way to section an article.
For example, when writing a précis for a novel, you could summarize each chapter. If it's a journal article that's already divided into sections, you could summarize these sections. For an essay or article without sections, you could summarize each paragraph.
Be sure to only include the key point and evidence in your summary.
Include enough information in your summaries so that you don’t need to refer to the main text to understand them.

Step 5 Determine the author’s purpose for writing the text.

The author likely won’t state their purpose, so you’ll need to determine it yourself. Consider your reaction to the text. For example, did it make you think? Do you feel differently about the subject? This can help you figure out the purpose.
If you're writing a précis about a short story or novel, the author may be entertaining the reader, but they will also have a message behind the story. This message can help you find the purpose.
If you're writing a précis about an article or essay, the purpose may be related to the thesis. What is the writer trying to prove? How does that connect to their purpose? For instance, the author's purpose might be to change the way you think about recycling paper. Their thesis could read, "Reusing paper before recycling it is better for the environment because it reduces new purchases of paper, produces less waste, and lowers energy expenditures by recycling programs."
You can also look at a few published reviews of the book, which can give you good contextual information and different perspectives to orient your understanding of the purpose.

Step 6 Create a brief outline of the argument, if you need it.

An outline lets you see how the argument is assembled.
This outline is just for you, so don’t worry if it’s messy.

Step 7 Compare your summaries to the original text.

Remember to use your own words. However, you need to accurately portray the meaning of the original text.

Structuring Your Précis

Step 1 Introduce the author, genre, date, and topic in the first sentence.

In rare cases, you may need to provide more information about the author, but this is only necessary if that information is necessary to understand the précis. For example, let's say an astronaut wrote a scholarly article about how being on the space station affected their research. It would be helpful to include that the author had been to space, as it adds to their credibility.
Put the date in parentheses after the title.
The genre refers to the type of text, such as article, short story, novel, play, etc.
Use a rhetorical verb, such as asserts, explains, argues, refutes, proves, or disproves, to introduce the author’s argument.
Here’s an example: Luz Ruiz’s article “The Moral Politician” (2018) asserts that policies based on morality can undermine the basis of governance.

Step 2 Explain how the author supports their argument in the second sentence.

Comparing and contrasting of 2 or more things.
Providing several small arguments.
Offering 1 long chain of argument.
Illustrating a point.
Creating a narrative.
Citing research.
Defining and elaborating on the terms of the thesis.

Step 3 Provide the purpose of the text in the third sentence.

The purpose is the author’s motive, not the thesis.
For instance, “Ruiz’s purpose is to present case studies in order to create an awareness in the reader of counterproductive policy making.”

Step 4 Describe the intended audience in the fourth sentence.

Since the author won’t directly tell you their intended audience, you’ll need to use cues from the article to determine it. Cues to watch for include the type of language used, the types of references, and the author’s background. You might compare and contrast the article to other similar articles to determine if it's more formal or informal. For example, academic or professional articles might use a lot of jargon, and they may expect the reader to understand references to other ideas in the field. However, articles written for the casual reader might use down-to-earth language and may thoroughly explain references to other ideas.
For instance, “Based on her use of jargon and the nature of the topic, Ruiz primarily writes for an audience who understands policy debate, such as policy students, academics, and politicians.”

Step 5 Expand on the supporting arguments, if you’re writing a long précis.

This type of précis is less common than the 4-sentence structure presented above.
You should only write a long précis if your instructor asks for it. Always check your assignment details.

Step 6 Include a 2-sentence conclusion in a long précis.

Remember, you don't need to incorporate any outside ideas or conclusions you have made, as a précis is only about the work itself.
Keep your conclusion concise.

Revising Your Précis

Step 1 Read your précis, noting areas that need work.

It’s a good idea to look for typos, grammar errors, or spelling issues now, but you’ll still need to proofread your final draft.

Step 2 Compare your précis to the original text.

For example, re-read the original text, then re-read your précis.
If you can, have someone read both the original text and your précis and tell you what they think.

Step 3 Make revisions as necessary to improve your work.

For example, you might eliminate redundant text or extra words that aren't necessary.
If you make substantial changes, it’s best to compare it to the original text once again.

If you can, ask someone to proofread your work for you, as you might overlook some of your own errors.

Following Best Practices

Step 1 Check with your instructor for specific formatting requirements.

Although a précis is always concise, its length can vary depending of the length of the original work and your instructor’s preferred length. For an article, your précis will likely be 100-200 words long, but a longer work may require a few pages of text. Expect your précis to be about 1/5 to 1/6 the length of the original text. [17] X Research source
Read over your assignment sheet carefully.

For instance, you should write “Ruiz proves” not “Ruiz proved.”
Make sure your verbs apply to the author, not the text. For example, “Ruiz argues” not “the article argues.”

Step 3 Make sure you don’t include your own opinions.

Stay objective throughout the writing process.

Step 4 Avoid directly quoting the original text.

It’s okay to quote a special term coined by the author if it’s important to the précis. For example, "freakonomics" is a special term created by economist Steven Levitt and journalist Stephen J. Dubner. It's not a normal word, so you would put quotes around it when including it in a précis.

Community Q&A

Writing a précis is a great way to study an important text. For example, you might write one before you write an annotated biography or before including a text in your thesis or dissertation. [19] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
You need to fully understand a text before you can write a précis. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/nonfictionanalysis/
↑ https://downloads.wlu.ca/downloads/academics/support-and-advising/documents/writing-a-precis.pdf
↑ https://www.monmouth.edu/resources-for-writers/documents/how-to-write-a-precis.pdf/
↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/nonfictionanalysis.html

About This Article

Before writing a précis, make sure that you’ve read through the text and made notes in the margins to help you identify the most important points. Afterwards, begin your precis by restating the thesis, or the author’s main argument, in your own words. Then, summarize each paragraph, section, or chapter in 1 to 2 sentences. Make sure to only include information that supports the main argument in your summary. Additionally, include enough information so that you don’t need to refer to the main text in order to understand the summary. For more advice, including how to structure or revise your précis, keep reading. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Home » Bank Exams » Guide for Precis Writing

Precis Writing: Check Format, Examples & Samples with Answers

Precis Writing

Precis writing is an integral part of various MBA exams & Bank, Government Exams like UPSC, SSC, NABARD, SEBI, SIDBI, SBI PO, etc. It tests your ability to read, understand, and present text in a clear, crisp, and concise manner.

The following article explains precis writing in detail and also provides steps to help you write your own precis:

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 points, mood, and tone of the author, and the main idea or gist o f the passage. In short, Precis is a condensed version of a bigger passage.

Why is Precis Writing Helpful?

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, and helps in expressing thoughts concisely, effectively, and clearly, by choosing words carefully.

Steps to Write a Precis

Step 1: Read the given passage carefully. Underline or highlight the important points and keywords or make a note of them (whichever is convenient). If you’re making a note of the important points, note them down in the same order as given in the original passage.

Step 2: After reading, make a note of the central theme/main idea/gist and the tone of the author of the passage.

Step 3: Re-read the article and compare it with your notes or check if you have missed underlining any crucial point.

Step 4: Provide your precis with an appropriate title (you can also do this after you finish writing your precis).

Step 5: Draft a precis based on the notes you have taken down or points you have underlined. Keep the following points in mind while writing your precis:

A Precis isn’t simply the abstract of the passage, nor is it a mere selection of important sentences of the passage. A Precis needs to convey the main idea of the original passage , including all the important points, the author’s facts, opinions, ideas, and thoughts , with absolute clarity, in the precis writer’s own words.
The main idea of the passage needs to be conveyed as accurately and as briefly as possible in the precis. Do not add long sentences or garrulous thoughts in your precis.
The precis should be written in the precis wr iter’s ow n words (no copy-pasting) and should include all the essential points and the gist of the original passage, so that, the reader will be able to understand the idea behind the original passage without having to go through it.
The language used to write precis should be clear, crisp & concise .
Include a statement that explains why the research was conducted (in case it’s research) or why the piece of writing was written (in case of an article)
Discard the non-essential parts of the original passage and do not include them in your precis.
Precis is always written in the third person and in a reported speech. Any history-related fact in a precis is to be written in the past tense.
A precis needs to be objective. It doesn’t offer evaluations or critical analysis. Hence, refrain from including your opinions, subjective interpretations, personal reactions, wishes, remarks, or criticisms in your precis.
Do not include abbreviations or contractions in your precis.
A Precis should make logical sense and follow the chronology of events in the same way as the original passage.
Officials mentioned in the precis need to be provided with designations instead of names or titles. In case the designation is missing, you can use their personal name.
There are no rigid rules to how lengthy your precis can be, but as a general rule, your precis should be not more than one-third of the total number of words in the original passage.
The precis needs to make logical sense and have the exact same logical structure, chronology, proportions, order, ideas, facts, and thoughts as that of the original passage.
The precis needs to read smoothly. Precis is a connected whole. The precis reader needs to be able to sift from one point to another in a smooth manner.

Step 6: Review your precis. It’s important to review your precis to confirm that you have included all the essential points, supporting evidence, and the gist from the original passage and to ensure coherence, and correctness with respect to grammar and spelling, and clarity. Post-review, count the number of words of the precis and put them down in a bracket at the end.

A Good Precis Format | Precis Writing Samples with Answers

Is Clear, Concise, Coherent, and Precise
Is written in the precis writer’s own words
Contains all the essential points, the author’s tone, facts, opinions, thoughts, and the main idea of the original passage
Is well-knit and makes logical sense and follows a logical order
Won’t contain details not found in the original passage
Is well-structured has no language errors and makes a meaningful passage

Precis Samples with Answers

Here’s a sample Precis for your reference:

The Length of a Precis

1. A precis must always be much shorter than the original passage. An ideal precis would not contain more than one-third of the number of words in the original text.

2. Generally, the number of words is given at the end of the paragraph. All you need to do is divide the number by three.

3. Be sure to count all the words in the paragraph. Some guides do not include the articles and prepositions in the count, while most do.

4. It is time-consuming to count the words in the time given for all segments in the descriptive paper in the exams, so an approximation would be okay until the summary is less than one-third of the original text.

Quick tip: You can count the words in one line and then multiply the count with the number of lines in the paragraph to get a fairly accurate number of words.

Approach for Precis Writing

To write a good precis, read the passage given in question carefully . It is advisable to read the passage multiple times and thoroughly understand the paragraph. After you finished reading the passage, think of a suitable title for your precis. While you write a precis, follow a logical sequence of events as given in the original passage. Avoid phrases like “In my opinion”, “In my view” etc.

The precis should be written in past tense and indirect speech. Use easily understandable language.

Ask yourself questions like

What is the basic theme of the passage?
Which are the most important points in the passage?
Which are the points that I can eliminate?

A good practice would be to make a rough note of these points.

Precis Writing Example 1

Read the passage carefully and write a summary of the same in your own words. No paraphrasing/rephrasing is allowed.

Nigeria spends an average of US $22 billion each year on food imports. Its major food imports include wheat, sugar and fish. Another big import, rice, accounts for about US$1.65 billion. Most of the country’s rice is imported from Thailand and India. This has led analysts to predict it will be the world’s second-largest importer of rice after China in 2019.

There are a few reasons that Nigeria’s demand for rice is so high. Among them is rapid urbanisation; people who arrive in cities and seek out cheap, nutritious, filling food invariably turn to rice. More traditional coarse grains like sorghum and millet have become less popular over the years. This, according to research, is because rice is “a more convenient and easy staple to prepare compared to other traditional cereals across income levels in the urban areas”.

Now Nigeria’s government is trying to stem the tide of imported rice. Towards the end of 2018, it announced its intention to halt rice imports entirely. In doing so, it hopes to save a great deal of money. But is this plan realistic? Unfortunately, it’s not. Nigeria’s agricultural sector simply isn’t equipped to produce the amount of rice to meet demand. It is battling natural and climatic factors, a lack of funding and training for farmers, and a dearth of government support. To turn this around, the government needs to invest heavily in rice farmers.

Precis Writing Answer

Nigeria and its Import of Rice

There are reasons for the high demand for rice in Nigeria, which makes it to import $1.65 billion worth of rice out of a total $22 billion food imports each year and is predicted to become world’s second-largest importer of rice after China in 2019. Rapid urbanization, cheapness and nutritional value are some of the reasons for its high demand. The choice of rice is because of its convenience and easiness to prepare.

The Government is putting a blanket ban on rice imports as announced towards the end of 2018 in order to save money. But the plan is unrealistic by design since Nigeria’s agricultural sector is not prepared to meet its rice demand. On top of that, Nigeria is battling other factors too of natural and climatic nature, dearth of funding and farmers’ training. To solve these problems, the Government should invest in rice farmers aggressively.

Precis Writing Example 2

2. Read the passage carefully and write a summary of the same in your own words. No paraphrasing/rephrasing is allowed.

Recently, the National Health Authority (NHA) and the All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) have announced a partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This partnership aims to provide healthcare services to around 10 million truck drivers under the Ayushman Bharat (AB)-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The NHA and the AITWA will work together in order to identify truck drivers and employees of transport companies who are eligible for the scheme. The Common Service Centres (CSCs), which comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, will work toward facilitating the verification of drivers using the NHA’s Beneficiary Identification System. This collaboration will help thousands of eligible families access in-patient care for serious illnesses at a nationwide network of 19,002 government and private hospitals empanelled under the PM-JAY. After the verification, the eligible drivers can get their AB PM-JAY e-cards at the nearest AITWA Highway Hero Centres. In the first phase, a pilot project will be conducted at key locations under the AITWA and the AB PM-JAY. This will be expanded to other towns across the country. Eligible drivers and employees of different transport companies will be able to avail themselves of the benefits after getting the PM-JAY cards. NHA officials will work closely with the teams of the AITWA and the CSCs to conduct the drive to identify beneficiaries. Title: Healthcare Services for Truck Drivers under Ayushman Bharat

Summary: To identify and provide healthcare services to 10 million truck drivers employees of transport companies under the AB PM-JAY, the NHA and AITWA announced a partnership through a MoU. In-patient care will be accessible to thousands of eligible families at around 19,002 government and private hospitals. The first phase aims to conduct a pilot project at key locations. The eligible drivers can obtain their AB PM-JAY e-cards at the nearest AITWA Highway Hero Centres and avail the benefits after their verification using NHA’s Beneficiary Identification System is done by the CSCs.

We hope the above tips help you write better precis. We wish you all the very best!

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How to Write a Precis Step by Step?

19 June, 2020

14 minutes read

Author: Elizabeth Brown

Have difficulties writing a precis while submission deadline is approaching? Chill out and exhale - we know how to make your essay an eye-candy. William Shakespeare once wrote: “Brevity is the Soul of Wit”. While we all know this phrase, not everyone knows how to use the skill of conciseness in their writing. If you’re one of those who got into this trouble, there’s a way out. In this article, we’ll speak about the nature of precis essay, discuss its peculiarities, and learn how to compose a readable piece which everyone will adore.

What is a precis?

Precis comes from a French word “précis”, and is literally translated “as precise, clear, up to the point”. The precis meaning pertains to a summary of any writing piece, be it a book, an article, or a novel. What is typical for this unusual type of assignment is the outline of the main points and arguments presented in the given text. Any deep or critical analysis should not be provided in precis, but it should nevertheless objectively explain the situation narrated in this or that literary piece.

Mark Twain once said: “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead”. His claim hit the very essence of precis writing. For while it might seem easy to compose a short paper dedicated to the crystallization of story events, this is not the case with precis. It should be short, but at the same time, it might not be so easy and quick to write. Considering that precis is a type of summary, it should naturally be devoid of re-writing of the original text. Therefore, precis writing always involves critical reading and research.

Summary vs. Precis

We’ve already mentioned before that precis is basically a text summary. But in fact, there’s a fine line between the two terms. A summary is a brief statement that succinctly covers the main points of a given text. Whereas precis should have a title and be 1/3 of the total words in the original passage. Also, summary broadly discusses the main events in general, while precis focuses on every detail and deeply analyzes a particular situation. Let’s take an example to dispel your confusion on this matter. Imagine you’ve recently got a task to analyze the 2nd scene of the 1st act of Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’. Which category would you classify this assignment to – summary or precis? You got it right if you chose the latter variant. This way, a precis can be defined as a brief form of an essay or a chapter in a book or an act in a play.

Precis Outline

The outline is one of the essential parts of precis writing. It allows to properly structure and organize the flow of ideas and helps to sequentially point out the main arguments of your precis. Before you start writing the outline, it’s important to boil down the list of possible topics to the main one. Then, you’ll need to decide on the purpose of your outline, which depends on the topic you chose to write about. For example, the outline can be written to entertain, reflect, or inform readers on this or that theme.

Another crucial step on the way to writing a perfect outline pertains to research. Read the material thoroughly, gather necessary information like quotes or facts. Then take notes, and assemble all the pieces together to start crafting an outline, taking some information here and there.

Once you’re done with this task, move down to brainstorming. This powerful practice of generating ideas might help you fix that genius thought that’s just spring to your mind. You can note down your brainstorm results in the form of random scribbles or create a mind map to build associations with the ideas. And in case some points don’t fit into your precis outline, you can always erase or cross them out. The next block of an outline is dedicated to thought arrangement. If you wonder how to structure an essay , remember to always formulate the information that’ll be included in the introduction, as well as in body paragraphs, and conclusion.

At the stage of finalizing, don’t forget to read your precis outline again and fill in the missing points if necessary. Also, proofread the outline before writing ideas on the assignment itself. That is, check it for typos, grammatical and spelling mistakes, and formatting errors.

How to start a precis?

For some, the phase of preparation for a precis is much harder than the process of writing it. Many questions are coming to mind at this point, like “Where do I start from?”, “What shall I do in the first place?”, “How much time do I need to prepare my precis?”. The formula to effective set-up is a proper study of the given text. At first, you’ll need to read the material. And not only do a skim-through but also make sure that you fully grasp the idea which the author conveys in the reading. For this, you’ll probably need to read the text several times. If this is a novel, you can read it twice, if it’s a short story – 3-5 times will be enough. Also, you can write down the meaning of unknown words if there are any.

While you’re reading, don’t forget to annotate your text. This process stands for underlining and highlighting focal information while making notes for yourself. Annotation comes at handy during the creation of précis, since it helps to latch onto the important text points and get familiarized with the material much faster.

How to write a precis paragraph?

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. The second sentence should concentrate on the evidence that articulates the author’s method of telling their narrative. Here, you might want to dwell on several arguments, comparing and contrasting them, to illustrate the author’s point. In the third sentence, you’ll need to explain the purpose of the text. No need to invent another aim than the one you deem important: define the text’s meaning just the way you think, feel, or believe.

The main body usually expands the supporting arguments to explain the author’s evidence, purpose, and ideas. It often takes a short paragraph to write the main body. The conclusion part encapsulates the main author’s idea of a book in 2-3 sentences. There, you’ll need to restate the thesis statement and write a concise summary explaining the author’s type of evidence.

Precis Format

To wrap up the information mentioned above, let’s schematically define the typical format of a nicely-written precis.

In the introductory sentence:

Indicate the author’s name, article/book title, date of publishing in parenthesis, and topic you want to discuss.
A rhetorical verb outlining the author’s primary purpose (e.g., “assert,” “argue,” “deny,” “refute,” “prove,” disprove,” “explain”)
A that clause which includes the thesis statement of the book or novel

In the main body:

Write a sentence that provides clarification of how the author formulates and further explains the main point of the reading
Write a sentence wherein include a statement that reflects the author’s purpose. Use the “in order” phrase to develop this sentence.
Write a sentence with a description of the presumed audience and the depiction of connection which the author establishes with readers.

In the conclusion:

Present a finishing remark of 2-3 sentences to shed light on the author’s intended idea for the book or article
Give a 1-sentence restatement of the major claim which the author used to develop their evidence in the reading.

What are the four steps of precis?

Writing precis is an art in itself, which, as you can see, takes a healthy dose of time and effort.

Apart from that, there is a couple of steps and requirements you should comply with to create an A+ precis. So to make it easier for you not to get lost in a bunch of lengthy processes, let’s break them down for convenient and effortless navigation.

The first step of precis lies in studying the text. The second one – in structuring your précis. The third phase is dedicated to revision and proofreading. As for the fourth step, we’d like to share the best practices for writing a worthy precis to guide you in the right direction. First, always strive to consult with your instructor regarding the formatting requirements. These might be specific for a specific precis. Therefore, the format can depend greatly on the text lengths. For example, a precis for a short article will, as a rule, be 100-200 words long. Whereas long books require a precis that can expand to several pages.

Another proven practice of proper precis writing has to do with the style of composing it. The most typical mistake the majority makes is the incorrect tense usage. Specifically, past tense is not a rare occasion when it comes to writing a precis. However, it’s important to stick to the present tense so that the instructor could follow your text smoothly. Also, remember to ascribe your evidence to the author rather than to the book or article. For instance, write “Brown argues,” instead of “the book argues.”

Besides, you should avoid personal opinions of any kind, since they might distort your precis with excessive subjectivity. The very purpose of precis is to stay objective, so avoid making claims from your own perspective if you want to get positive comments from the instructor. Because ultimately, the approach of expressing personal thoughts might result in a lower grade for your precis.

How long should a precis be?

There’s no universal rule for a precis length, because it can vary significantly depending on the assignment. For example, your precis can range from 100-200 words when the given reading is an article to 2-3 pages if the assigned material is a big book. Whatever the length for your precis, it’s essential to take into account that it should be one-fifth to one-sixth of the original reading’s length. At any rate, you should ask your professor to give you length specifications, and only then start writing a precis.

How to Make Precis Writing Perfect?

A precis is a great way to show your writing skills to instructors and demonstrate the ability to think critically and logically. Besides, working on such task will allow you to develop a new skill of writing short summaries with accurate data and text details. Hence, the secret weapon of any successful precis is about following the qualities needed to make your precis unforgettable. Wonder which these are? They include clarity, correctness, objectivity, coherence, and conciseness. While all these attributes of a perfect precis exist in isolation, they are closely interconnected and aimed at helping you solve possible difficulties with regard to precis writing.

If your precis is clear, it means that your reader can fully comprehend the idea, meaning, and purpose of the author’s work. If your precis is correct, it means that it is devoid of spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes and is easy to digest. Also, it means that you’ve used all the facts, figures, and dates in a way proper to precis writing.

Objectivity here stands for the neutral voice of book or article summary, in which any opinion from the first person is omitted. Coherent precis pertains to the consequent interrelation of the main text’s ideas. This point is important because your readers will want to see the logical flow of concepts and notions without losing their interest while reading your precis. Finally, conciseness denotes the ability to state the ideas clearly while avoiding useless details in your precis. Of course, you should never abstain from facts, but keep yourself away from lengthy and vague expressions, repetitions, and generally-known expressions.

Long story short, writing a precis is quite a challenging task that involves different stages and requirements. It might seem easy in theory, but as you write, you’ll notice how complicated and time-consuming this process actually is. However, with the right level of preparation and enough knowledge of how to accurately organize the text, your precis will become a writing piece that your professor will definitely remember. So the next time you’ll experience hardships writing your own precis, follow our guide and learn how to compose a high-rated work which both your instructor and parents will compliment you for.

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Precis: Types, Format, Example and How-To Guide

What is a precis.

A precis is a concise summary or abstract of a text, speech, or other form of communication. It condenses the main ideas, arguments, and key points of the original work into a shorter version while maintaining the essence and tone of the original. Precis writing requires the ability to extract the most important information from a larger piece of writing. It’s often used in academic settings, journalism, and professional writing to provide readers with a quick overview of a longer piece of content.

Table of Contents

Precis Types:

There are several types of precis, each serving a specific purpose depending on the context and requirements. Here are some common types:

Informative Precis:

Summarizes the main points and factual information of the original text without providing any personal opinion or analysis.

Explanatory Precis:

Provides a detailed explanation of the main ideas and arguments presented in the original text, often including examples or clarifications to enhance understanding.

Critical Precis:

Analyzes and evaluates the original text, offering both a summary of its content and a critique of its strengths and weaknesses.

Literary Precis:

Focuses on summarizing the themes, characters, and key events of a literary work such as a novel, play, or poem.

Rhetorical Precis:

Breaks down the structure and rhetorical strategies used in the original text, including the author’s purpose, audience, tone, and persuasive techniques.

Descriptive Precis:

Provides a detailed description of the original text, including its subject matter, tone, style, and intended audience.

Argumentative Precis:

Summarizes the main arguments and supporting evidence presented in the original text, often with a focus on analyzing the logic and persuasiveness of the author’s claims.

Precis Format:

The format of a precis typically follows a specific structure to ensure clarity and conciseness. Here’s a standard format for writing a precis:

Begin with the title of the original text, enclosed in quotation marks if it’s an article, essay, or similar work. Author’s Name: Follow the title with the author’s name.

Publication Information:

Include any relevant publication information such as the name of the journal, magazine, or book where the original text was published, as well as the publication date.

Introduction:

Write a brief introductory sentence or two that provides context for the original text and introduces the main topic or argument.

Thesis Statement:

Summarize the author’s main argument or thesis in one or two sentences.

Provide a concise summary of the main points and key supporting details of the original text. This should be written in your own words and should capture the essential elements of the author’s argument or narrative.

Evaluation:

Optionally, include a brief evaluation or critique of the original text. This may involve commenting on the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s argument, the effectiveness of their evidence, or any biases or assumptions present in the text.

Conclusion:

Conclude the precis with a closing statement that reinforces the main ideas of the original text and summarizes your overall impression or interpretation.

Word Count:

Some precis assignments may specify a word limit, so it’s important to check if there are any length requirements and adjust your precis accordingly.

Remember to maintain a formal tone and use clear, concise language throughout your precis. Avoid adding personal opinions or interpretations unless specifically requested, and focus on faithfully representing the content and structure of the original text.

How to Write a Precis?

Writing a precis involves several steps to condense a longer piece of writing into a shorter, concise summary while retaining its main ideas and tone. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write a precis:

Read Carefully:

Begin by reading the original text carefully to understand its main argument, key points, and supporting evidence. Take notes as you read to capture important details and ideas.

Identify the Main Points:

Identify the main points and arguments presented in the original text. Look for the author’s thesis statement or central claim, as well as the key supporting points that contribute to the overall argument.

Understand the Structure:

Pay attention to the structure and organization of the original text, including how the author introduces ideas, develops arguments, and provides evidence to support their claims.

Write an Introduction:

Start your precis with an introductory sentence or two that provides context for the original text. Mention the title, author, and any relevant publication information, and briefly summarize the main topic or argument.

Craft a Thesis Statement:

Write a concise thesis statement that captures the main argument or central claim of the original text. This statement should convey the author’s main purpose or message in a clear and succinct manner.

Summarize the Main Points:

Write a summary of the main points and key supporting details of the original text. Focus on capturing the essential elements of the author’s argument or narrative, using your own words to restate the ideas while maintaining the original meaning.

Be Concise:

Keep your precis concise and to the point, avoiding unnecessary details or tangents. Aim to capture the essence of the original text in a condensed form, while still conveying its main ideas effectively.

Maintain the Tone and Style:

Try to match the tone and style of the original text in your precis, while also ensuring clarity and readability. Use formal language and appropriate academic or professional vocabulary, but avoid simply copying phrases or sentences from the original text.

Check for Accuracy:

Review your precis to ensure that it accurately represents the main ideas and arguments of the original text. Check for any errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling, and make revisions as needed to improve clarity and coherence.

Write a Conclusion:

Conclude your precis with a closing statement that reinforces the main ideas of the original text and summarizes your overall interpretation or impression. Avoid introducing new information or arguments in the conclusion.

Proofread and Revise:

Finally, proofread your precis carefully to catch any remaining errors or inconsistencies. Make revisions as needed to improve the clarity, coherence, and accuracy of your summary.

By following these steps, you can effectively write a precis that accurately summarizes the main ideas and arguments of a longer piece of writing in a clear and concise manner.

Precis Example:

Below is an example of a precis.

Title: “The Impact of Climate Change on Global Agriculture”

Author: Michael Smith

Publication Information: Published in Environmental Science Journal, May 2024

Introduction: In his article “The Impact of Climate Change on Global Agriculture,” Michael Smith examines the effects of climate change on agricultural productivity worldwide.

Thesis Statement: Smith argues that rising temperatures and changing weather patterns pose significant challenges to global food security.

Summary: Smith begins by outlining the various ways in which climate change is affecting agricultural systems, including shifts in precipitation patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and the spread of pests and diseases. He then discusses the potential consequences of these changes, such as reduced crop yields, decreased nutritional value of food, and increased food prices. Smith also highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, particularly smallholder farmers in developing countries. Despite these challenges, Smith suggests that there are opportunities to adapt to climate change through sustainable agricultural practices and investments in research and technology.

Evaluation: Smith’s article provides a comprehensive overview of the complex relationship between climate change and global agriculture. His analysis is supported by a wealth of scientific evidence and data, making a compelling case for urgent action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on food systems. However, Smith could have further explored the social and economic dimensions of this issue, including the role of policy and governance in addressing food insecurity.

Conclusion: In conclusion, “The Impact of Climate Change on Global Agriculture” underscores the urgent need for collective action to address the challenges posed by climate change to food security. By implementing sustainable agricultural practices and policies, we can work towards building more resilient food systems and ensuring food security for future generations.

This example demonstrates how a precis can summarize the main points and arguments of an original article while maintaining clarity and coherence.

Difference Between Precis and Summary:

Below are some key differences between a précis and a summary:

A precis aims to capture the main ideas, arguments, and key points of the original text while maintaining its tone and style. Unlike a summary, which provides a general overview, a precis offers a more detailed and structured summary, sometimes including an evaluation or critique of the original text. It serves to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the text’s content and may be used in academic or professional settings where thorough analysis is required.

Length and Detail:

In terms of length and detail, a precis is typically longer and more detailed than a summary. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the original text’s main ideas and arguments, often including specific examples, quotations, or paraphrases to illustrate key points. On the other hand, a summary is shorter and more succinct, focusing on capturing the essential elements of the original text in a condensed form. It may omit certain details or nuances to maintain brevity and clarity.

Audience and Context:

Precis writing is commonly used in academic and professional contexts, where a thorough understanding and analysis of the original text are necessary. It may be utilized for assignments, research papers, or presentations, catering to an audience that requires in-depth information and insights. In contrast, summaries are more prevalent in everyday contexts such as news articles, book reviews, or online content, where readers seek quick overviews without needing detailed analysis.

Structure and Format:

A precis follows a specific format comprising elements such as an introduction, thesis statement, summary of main points, evaluation, and conclusion. It aims to maintain the structure and organization of the original text while condensing its content. Conversely, a summary may have a less structured and formal format, often consisting of a brief introduction followed by a concise overview of the text’s main points. Its format may vary depending on the context and intended audience.

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Government Exam Articles
Precis Writing

Precis Writing - Rules, Tips & Questions

Precis Writing is a part of the descriptive paper conducted for various competitive and Government exams under the English Language section.

In this article we shall discuss at length about what is precis writing, the important points that need to be kept in mind while writing a precis, the Dos and Don’ts, followed by some sample precis writing examples and questions.

Candidates can also check the General English for competitive exams page to know more about the English language descriptive and objective type paper.

Before moving to other attributes related to the topic, let us first discuss what precis writing is and what the candidates are supposed to do in a question based on this topic.

What is Precis Writing?

Precis writing is summarising a comprehension in limited words, covering all the important aspects and details of the passage given.

Rules of Precis Writing

To avoid making any errors in writing a precis, follow a set of rules as mentioned below:

Read the comprehension carefully
Note down the important points
Make a rough draft of the precis
Make use of simple and precise language, as much as possible
Draft the final precis once all the points have been included

The topic of precis writing is not included in all exams, but the most common exams where this topic is included in the syllabus are SSC exams, RRB exams, etc.

The links given below will help candidates work on their grammar and help them avoid making any grammatical errors while writing a precis:

Precis Writing Questions PDF:- Download PDF Here

Important Features of a Good Precis

There are various components that make a good precis. For candidates who have just started their preparation for the upcoming Government exams, knowing the features of a good precis is extremely vital.

Discussed below are a few of the features which shall help you write a good precis:

Length of the Precis: Do not write a lengthy precis. In most cases, the number of words must be almost one-third of the word count of the passage or comprehension.
It should be convenient to read: Make sure that the precis you write does not have too complex a vocabulary or is too complicated to understand.
Cover all the essential points: While reading the passage, make a note of the important points and ensure that no point is skipped.
Must be coherent: The important terms with respect to the passage must be included in the precis as well.
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.
Details in precis must match the details in the passage: No other information apart from the one given in the passage must be included in the precis and all the important information mentioned in the passage must certainly be included.

If a candidate keeps the above-mentioned points in consideration while writing the precis, he/she shall be successful in writing a good precis.

Dos & Don’ts in Precis Writing

Every year lakhs of candidates appear for the competitive exams conducted in our country. Out of those only a few are able to crack the exam and get appointed. Since most competitive exams have now become computer-based, the descriptive test is still checked offline.

Candidates must know that with thousands of entries that need to be checked, there are certain quick points which the examiner looks for and which may get the maximum marks for your precis writing.

Based on the same information, given below are a few Dos and Don’ts, which a candidate needs to understand before starting to write a precis.

Dos for Precis Writing

Begin with the basic idea of the passage to make the precis convenient to read.
Give a clear idea pertaining to what the reader is about to read.
While reading the passage, make a note of all the important points and include them in the precis.
Follow the main idea of the passage with the facts/points of improvement/ methods,, etc. as mentioned in the comprehension.
Include all the important keywords and terms which are used in the passage.
Keep a track of the tenses you use. Data related to historical events of the past must be described in the past tense only.
There must be a relation between the data you are writing in the precis. It should have some common links.

Don’ts for Precis Writing

The length of the precis must be shorter than the length of the passage.
Do not overcomplicate the precis and use easy vocabulary.
Do not make assumptions or add information in the precis as per your own imagination.
Do not give your own opinion or criticism over the comprehension.
Avoid using abbreviations.
Do not enter statements in the question format in the precis.
Don’t focus on any one point for very long. Keep the information as precise as possible.

The above-mentioned dos and don’ts will help candidates get a better idea of the concept and also learn the correct approach with which the precis needs to be written.

Given below are a few other links which shall help candidates ace the English language section in the upcoming Government exams:

Precis Writing Examples and Questions

A paragraph on any topic may be presented in the question paper and candidates must know that they do not need any extra or general information to write the precis. So, even if the topic of the comprehension is not well known by the candidate, he/she must not panic and must pay attention while reading the passage.

Converting what has been written in the passage into your own words and ensuring the reader understands what the paragraph says, is the only job of an applicant while writing a precis.

Given below is a precis writing example, for your reference.

Comprehension Passage:

Everybody knows what a “good” man means and how he should be. Our definition of a good man is the one who does not smoke, or drink or avoids the usage of bad language. A good man is ideally expected to converse in front of men as he would in front of women. He is also expected to attend the Church regularly and have correct opinions on all subjects. He has a wholesome horror of wrong-doing and realizes that it is our painful duty to reprimand sin. He is not anticipated to have wrong thinkings and has the authority to protect the young. His duties are not just restricted to the professional front but also needs to spend quality time doing good deeds. He must be patriotic and a keen believer of military training, he should promote industry, must be sober and have virtue among wage earners and their children. He must be a role model for all and it is expected that he leads a way which the younger generation would willingly follow. Above all, of course, his “morals” in the narrow sense must be admirable.

Precis Writing:

Title: Attributes of a Good Man

The characteristics of a good man are known and he is expected to be religiously profound, must not smoke, drink or use bad language. His behaviour must be the same for all genders and he is expected to be a role model for the young ones. He must know his duties and avoid taking up the path of sin. He must be good not only in the professional space but also help people in need. He must be someone who can be admired and is praiseworthy.

Candidates may note that all the information which was mentioned in the comprehension has been precisely covered in the precis in understandable and easy to read language, along with an appropriate title.

Precis Writing Example with Solution PDF:- Download PDF Here

Frequently Asked Question – Precis Writing

Q.1. what do you mean by precis writing, q.2. how do you write a precis, q.3. does a precis need a title, q.4. what should be avoided in precis writing, q 5. how long can a precis writing be.

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How to Write a Precis: Definition, Guide, & Examples

A précis is a brief synopsis of a written piece. It is used to summarize and analyze a text’s main points. If you need to write a précis for a research paper or the AP Lang exam, you’ve come to the right place.

In this comprehensive guide by Custom-Writing.org , you’ll find:

explanations of different précis formats,
a step-by-step writing guide,
4 précis samples,
answers to frequent questions.
📚 Précis Definition
📝 Format Types
✅ Step-by-Step Guide
📋 Précis Examples

🔍 References

📚 what is a precis.

Précis is a type of writing that represents crucial ideas of the text and has a fixed structure. It’s close to an essay in format, but it consists of only 4 sentences with specific content:

Author’s name, genre, and title of work. It also contains the thesis statement (what the author claims or suggests.)
How the author reveals the thesis. It’s usually discussed in the same order as in the original text.
Explanation of the text’s purpose. This part answers the questions “why?” and “what for?”
Description of author’s tone and the audience. This sentence discusses who the author appeals to.

Writing a précis can be helpful in many cases, such as:

preparation for complex text analysis,
creation of an annotated bibliography,
writing of a research paper summary,
improvement of critical thinking and analytical skills.

Difference between Summary and Precis

Even though “ summary ” is a synonym of “précis,” there are some crucial differences between these two things. The main distinction lies in structure: a précis always consists of 4 sentences, while a summary’s structure can vary. Have a look at the comparison below.

Précis	Summary
Always has a structure of 4 precise sentences.	The structure varies and usually follows the original text
Covers only the essential ideas.	Includes all of the text’s main points.
Retains the original text’s writing tone and style.	Can be written in different styles and doesn’t have to follow the text’s original tone.

📝 Precis Format Types

Now you know what a précis is, but that’s not all of it. There are also different formats of précis writing: critical, rhetorical, research, and literary . In this section, we will examine their features and structure.

The picture shows the 4 types of précis formats.

Critical Precis Definition & Structure

A critical précis focuses on an argument and reveals the text’s reasoning. It’s also the most common précis format. While working on a critical précis, follow these writing rules for each sentence:

Formulate an argument expressed in the original piece of writing.
Point out the author’s reasoning and its essential steps.
Analyze the evidence on how this reasoning supports the author’s argumentation.
Discuss what kind of audience the author appeals to.

Rhetorical Precis Definition & Structure

A rhetorical précis is an analytical review of the original text’s content and persuasion methods. It reveals the most crucial points of the paper and shows how it works rhetorically. This format is one of the AP Lang assignments.

Each of the 4 elements of a rhetorical précis structure expresses specific information:

Background information and thesis statement .
The author’s argument used to support the thesis.
Explanation of the text’s purpose .
Analysis of the rhetorical devices the author uses to persuade the audience.

Research Precis Definition & Structure

Research précis is similar to the critical one, but it’s aimed to give a brief structured synopsis of a research paper. The 4 elements of this précis type are as follows:

Description of the research’s purpose and issues raised by the author.
Summary of all the methods used by the researcher.
Summary of the research results and findings .
Explanation of the research’s significance .

Literary Precis Definition & Structure

Literary précis is an argumentative summary of a text with attention to its literary devices. The purpose and contents of this type differ from other précis types. Have a look at this format’s structure:

The text’s title, genre, and central theme .
Plot summary : the principal characters, place and time of the narration, and the main conflict.
The text’s overall purpose : what thoughts and feelings the author wants to evoke in the minds of their audience.
The analysis of literary devices the author uses to achieve the desired effect.

✅ How to Write a Precis Step by Step

Now, let’s see what exactly you need for writing an excellent précis.

We’ll start with the pre-writing stage . As soon as this stage is done, the writing will be far more manageable. The following tips can help you with it:

Start with reading the original text thoroughly and note down the essential information.
Summarize each paragraph in a single sentence.
Don’t forget to mention the text’s central thesis, methods, and purpose in your notes.

It can be beneficial if you use the mind mapping method for organizing the main ideas from the reading. Putting all the main points to the chart or diagram helps you organize your thoughts and create a good plan for your essay. When you do this, you only need to connect the points you’ve already outlined. Check out this article by the University of Kansas to learn more about mind mapping and other pre-writing techniques .

Precis Outline

Below you’ll find a detailed outline that explains how to write a précis. Check it out to make your writing process easier:

Step #1. Give some background information about the text.

State the text’s title and the author’s name. You can also add some publishing information, such as the number of the edition.
Mention the text’s central idea or theme.

Step #2. Show how the author develops their arguments and supports the thesis.

Focus on the evidence used by the author rather than the specific details of their reasoning.
When writing the literary précis, focus on literary devices the author uses to develop the theme.

Step #3. Clarify the purpose of the work.

If you’re writing a rhetorical or critical précis, build your sentences using the phrase “in order to.”
Avoid repeating the thesis. Instead, analyze the author’s motive and goals.

Step #4. Demonstrate what type of audience the author appeals to.

To detect the intended audience, analyze the text’s theme, thesis, and tone.
The type of audience usually depends on the author. For example, scholars typically appeal to their colleagues interested in the topic. Writers of fiction can appeal to any social group or society as a whole.

Rhetorical Precis Template

To help you structure your précis, we’ve created a sample template that you can download in PDF format below. All you need to do is to print it out and fill in the blanks.

[Name of the author] in his/her [type of the text] titled [the text’s title] argues that [the text’s main argument].
The author supports his/her arguments by [evidence presented by the author].
The author’s purpose is to [what the author wants to achieve] in order to [the text’s intended effect on readers].
The author writes in a [description of the text’s tone] tone for [the type of audience].

Rhetorical Precis: Verbs & Sentence Starters

Want to make your précis stand out? You can do it by using certain clichés and rhetorically accurate verbs. They will help you describe the writer’s reasoning precisely.

Check out this list of common précis words and sentence starters that you can use:

Paragraph	Phrases to Use	Examples
1st Paragraph	The author:	In his article (1958), Jarls Ferguson suggests the term diglossia describes the situation of unbalanced bilingualism with different functional areas of language circulation for local spoken variants.
2nd Paragraph	The author supports the arguments by:	The author supports her assertion by showing her personal experience and struggle against Taliban supporters who shot her for her willingness to study at school.
3rd Paragraph	The author’s purpose is to:	Bradbury’s overall purpose is to show the problem of censorship in the era of high technology to convince people that literature and culture are crucial for humanity.
4th Paragraph	The author’s tone is:	The author establishes a formal and analytical tone with his audience of scholars interested in linguistics and philology.

Precis Format Tips

When you finish the writing, it’s time to start proofreading your text. Proofreading means looking for grammar and spelling errors in your text, and it helps you improve your text and correct all the mistakes. Here are some tips for proofreading your text successfully:

If you have doubts about the sentence structure, it’s better to use simple sentences.
Check the spelling errors. If you can’t use a dictionary, it’s better not to use words that you barely know.
Give your text to someone else to check if everything is correct.
You may also use grammar and spell checkers.

It’s also crucial to format your text correctly. Be sure that you’re following style requirements:

Use 12 font size and double space intervals and at least 1-inch margins on all sides.
Write your name at the end.
Write in the author’s voice instead of reporting their words indirectly.
Keep the same order of ideas as in the original text.

Precis Writing Checklist

Now you’re all set to start working on your précis. To make things even easier for you, we’ve prepared a checklist you can use while writing:

✔️	Read the text thoroughly to make sure you understand it.
✔️	Use indirect speech to express your thoughts.
✔️	List the text’s critical points.
✔️	Follow the structure of the 4 sentences.
✔️	Compare your précis to the original text.
❌	Avoid quotations, abbreviations, and value judgments (good, bad, correct, little, etc.)

📋 Precis Examples: Different Types

We’ve prepared for your high school and college examples of different précis to help you write one of your own. Feel free to use them as inspiration.

Critical Precis Example

1st Paragraph	In his speech (1963), American civil rights activist and minister Martin Luther King asserts that all people in the United States should enjoy equal rights regardless of their skin color or ethnicity.
2nd Paragraph	King supports his assertion by using powerful metaphors to show the racial inequality in the USA and by repeating the phrase “I have a dream” to establish the goals the society needs to achieve for developing civil rights.
3rd Paragraph	The speaker aims to convince people that segregation policy and racism are harmful to society and lead to inequality and social conflicts.
4th Paragraph	King addresses his speech to the government and Americans and uses a serious but inspiring tone.

Rhetorical Precis Example

1st Paragraph	Young Pakistani female activists and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, in her speech at the Youth Takeover of the United Nations (2013), asserts that equal education for both men and women is the key to the brightest future of humanity.
2nd Paragraph	She supports her assertion by showing her personal experience and struggle against Taliban supporters who shot her for her willingness to learn in school.
3rd Paragraph	Her purpose is to make the UN nations representatives and society bring their attention to the equality problems that millions of people face every day in developing countries.
4th Paragraph	Malala Yousafzai establishes a respectful but emotional tone to appeal to the broad audience in the United Nations and the whole world.

Research Precis Example

1st Paragraph	In their article (2019), published in Science Journal, Florian Cafiero and Jean-Baptiste Camps try to clear up uncertainties regarding the authorship of Molière’s works that were questioned by the public and scholars in the 20th century.
2nd Paragraph	Cafiero and Camps decided to determine the authorship of Moliere’s writing using a statistical analysis of the text and hierarchical clustering, which allows dividing objects into separate groups according to their proximity to each other.
3rd Paragraph	Researchers analyzed all similarities in texts and concluded that Moliere invented the plots for his plays and wrote them independently.
4th Paragraph	The study helped determine the authorship of Moliere’s plays and showed the effectiveness of using a hierarchical clustering method in such cases.

Literary Precis Example

1st Paragraph	In his famous novel , published in 1953 by Ballantine Books, Ray Bradbury addresses the downsides of mass media and technological development.
2nd Paragraph	The novel takes place in an unnamed American city in the distant future and follows the story of Guy Montag, an intelligent, clever, and empathetic fireman responsible for burning outlawed books who realizes how awful reality is and begins protesting against the system of suppressing free thinking.
3rd Paragraph	The author aims to show the adverse influence of technology and suppression on literature, culture, and society.
4th Paragraph	Bradbury develops his theme initially through a dystopian narrative to present the undesirable future, animal imagery to contrast nature and technologies, and repetitive patterns to underline his essential thoughts.

Precis Essay Topics

Précis of Everyday Use by Alice Walker
Write a summary of COVID-19 related articles
Synopsis of On the American Working Class
Create a précis of Wearables by Linnie Greene
Present a brief summary of Overview of the Immune Response
Write a synopsis of 3 lung cancer articles
Précis of an article by Douglas C. Engelbart
Summary of the article Maternal Stress and Sensitivity: Moderating Effect of Positive Affect
Write a concise synopsis of Consider the Lobster
Present a précis of a journal article
Summary of the article Coming to the Aid of Women in U.S. Prison by D.S. McClellan
Come up with a synopsis of an article in Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Summary of the article The HR Challenges Shaping the Healthcare Industry
Write a synopsis of a research paper on evidence-based interventions for anxiety
Make a précis of the study Practice Nurse Use of Evidence in Clinical Practice
Present a short summary of the article Robotic Kidney Transplantation: One Year After the Beginning
Create a synopsis of an article critique
Short summary of the film The Great Debaters
Summary of the article Breast Cancer and Exercise
Write a synopsis of the article Assessment and Management of Sexual Dysfunction in the Context of Depression
Précis of the article Maternal Stress and Sensitivity: Moderating Effect of Positive Affect
Make a reading summary of two social articles
Summary of Examining Evidence-Based Interventions to Prevent Inpatient Falls
Short synopsis of the article You Know Nothing, John Doe!
Précis and analysis of the article My Turn: $15 an Hour Minimum Wage Would Slow Economy
Summary of McCallum’s Followership
Present a comparative synopsis of Woolf’s and Brady’s feminist articles
Précis of Business Careers with High Pay
Summary of Women Should Have to Register for the Draft
Write a synopsis of The Spirit in Creation by D. Williams
Précis of sports and organizational conflict articles
Write a summary and analysis of the article New Bases of Competitive Advantage
Synopsis of Asleep on the Job
Précis of Sleep, Health, and Wellness at Work
Summary of Leadership Characteristics and Digital TransFormation
Present a synopsis of Tweeting Social Change by Guo & Saxton
Précis of the article The Nature of Things: Biomimicry
Summary of How to Develop a Strategic Mindset
Synopsis of Coalition Brings Pressure to End Forced Uighur Labor
Write a précis of 2 gender inequality articles
Present a summary of Chopin’s The Story of an Hour
Synopsis of The Necklace
Make a précis of The Garden Party by Catherine Mansfield
Summary of Zika Virus Disease: A Public Health Emergency of International Concern
Write a synopsis of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
Create a short précis of Letter from Birmingham Jail
Make a summary of Seven Jewish Children by Caryl Churchill
Synopsis of A Rose For Emily by Faulkner
Present a précis of Googling Your Date by Martha Irvine
Write a summary of Get Your Bonds Ready for a Fed Rate Boost

Now you’re ready to write your précis! Use this guide every time you need to write a task for college or if you need to prepare for AP Lang exams. We wish you best of luck with your writing assignments!

Learn About Précis Through Definition and Examples

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

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An Introduction to Punctuation
Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
B.A., English, State University of New York

A précis is a brief summary of a book, article , speech , or other text .

The basic characteristics of an effective précis are conciseness , clarity , completeness, unity , and coherence . According to Barun K. Mitra, Ph.D., in "Effective Technical Communication: A Guide for Scientists and Engineers," "The most important task is to ensure that the original sequence of events and the flow of ideas remain unchanged."

Pronunciation : PRAY-see

Also known as : abstract, summary, executive summary, synopsis

Plural : précis

Alternate spelling : precis

Etymology : From the Old French, "condensed"

Examples and Observations

"I would say that the ability to write a précis is the central language skill. For a start, it is a craft essential in all professions and businesses; indeed, anyone whose work includes dealing with documents at some time (and that accounts for most people) will need précis skills as a matter of course... Such vocational considerations, though important, are not in my view the most telling, however. The fundamental value of précis is that it tests and exercises every aspect of linguistic competence," says Richard Palmer in "Write in Style: A Guide to Good English."
"[O]rganization of ideas, logical sequencing of points, clear and meaningful expression, [and the] use of language suitable to the situation are essential for writing précis effectively. The writer of précis must be able to identify the essential ideas in a given passage and separate them from nonessential ideas. But at the same time a précis is not a [type of] creative writing, inasmuch as it is merely a condensed restatement of the original writer's ideas, points, etc.," says Aruna Koneru in "Professional Communication."

Sample Précis

Original passage from Aristotle's "Rhetoric" (199 words): "It is evident that those in the prime of life will be between the young and the old in character, subtracting the excess of either, and neither exceedingly conﬁdent (rashness is such) nor too fearful but having the right amount of both, neither trusting nor distrusting everybody but rather making realistic judgments and not directing their lives only to what is ﬁne or what is advantageous but to both and neither to frugality nor to extravagance but to what is ﬁtting. Similarly in regard to impulse and desire. And they combine prudence with courage and courage with prudence, while among the young and the old these things are separated; for the young are brave and lack self-restraint, the older prudent and cowardly. To speak in general terms, whatever advantages youth and old age have separately, [those in their prime] combine, and whatever the former have to excess or in deﬁciency, the latter have in due measure and in a ﬁtting way. The body is in its prime from the age of thirty to thirty-ﬁve, the mind about age forty-nine. Let this much be said about the kinds of character of youth and old age and the prime of life."
Précis from "A Synoptic History of Classical Rhetoric" (68 words): "The character of those in the prime of life lies midway between that of youth and of age. Neither rash nor timid, neither skeptical nor overtrusting, they usually make choices on a true basis. They are not given to excess in desire, nor to lack of feeling or parsimony. They live respecting both honor and expediency. In short, the most useful traits of youth and age are theirs."

Methods and Purpose

"A précis is not an outline , but a summary or digest. It is useful as an exercise in grasping the essential ideas of an already completed composition and in stating these ideas in concentrated form. The précis shears away all elaborations of the thought and gives only what is left, in such a way as to make the summary a complete composition. It does not, therefore, skeletonize the original composition so much as it reduces its scale. Many of the articles in The Reader's Digest are only précis, so skillfully done that the average reader does not know that he is reading a summary. Since the précis says a great deal within a brief space, it is of great service in taking notes on library assignments and general reading," says Donald Davidson in "American Composition and Rhetoric."

Aristotle. Rhetoric , book 2, chapter 14. Aristotle, On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. Translated by George A. Kennedy, Oxford University Press, 1991.

Davidson, Donald. American Composition and Rhetoric . Scribner's, 1968.

Koneru, Aruna. Professional Communication . Tata McGraw-Hill, 2008.

Mitra, Barun K., PhD. Effective Technical Communication: A Guide for Scientists and Engineers. Oxford Publishing, 2006.

Murphy, James J. and Richard A. Katula. A Synoptic History of Classical Rhetoric. 3rd ed, Hermagoras Press, 2003.

Palmer, Richard. Write in Style: A Guide to Good English. 2nd ed, Routledge, 2002.

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How to Write a Precis in 6 Steps

Most students don’t know a lot about this type of assignment until they are forced to complete it. Don’t be surprised if you just recently heard about this type of assignment for the first time; most students are confused about it and end up with so many questions: “What is a precis itself?”, “Where can I start”, and “How do I write a precis?”. Luckily, our paper writing service is here to give you the answers. In this article, we will discover what this type of work is and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write it.

Definition of Precis and Its Purpose

According to the precis definition, the word “Précis” comes from the French language and means “precise” or “to cut brief”. A precis is a brief synopsis of another work—for example, a dissertation or a scholarly article. The main purpose of a precis is to sum up any ideas that were stated in the piece, explain the main message, and give readers an idea of how the original piece was structured.

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What Kind of Papers Can Contain a Precis?

In a nutshell, a precis is a separate written piece that is not attached to other academic works. Typically, a precis is written in an article – either scholarly or non-scholarly – or any other academic work. Its length can vary, depending on the length of the original piece.

Often, students confuse a precis with another form of writing – a critical analysis. However, they are quite different. Unlike a critical analysis, a precis should not contain your personal opinion in regards to the original piece.

A good precis has to be short and straight to the point. Yet, what are the other characteristics of this type of writing? Here are the key things to keep in mind:

A precis is a short summary, yet not a paraphrased copy of the original piece.
The text should be precise and clear.
A precis should be written in your own words, but it is allowed to use some quotes from the original piece (though not too many, only the ones that bring real value).
It should not reflect your personal opinion.
It should convey only the most important information and omit secondary ideas.
The key points should be covered as comprehensively as possible.
The information in a precis should be conveyed in a logical sequence, with clear connections between all parts of the text.
It should not contain any details from other sources.
A precis should not include any irrelevant or secondary details.
A precis is always written in the third person, so the use of first person pronouns is not appropriate here.

Apart from a regular precis, there is also another form of this assignment called a rhetorical precis. The essence of this task is the same. However, it is usually much shorter and, thus, harder to write. A rhetorical precis also requires you to sum up core ideas from the original piece, but it has an additional focus on the delivery of the information in the piece. Thus, a rhetorical precis blends a summary and a brief analysis of how the author has conveyed his/her ideas.

The biggest pitfall in writing rhetorical precis is that you should fit everything normally into four sentences. Here is a sample of what needs to be included in a rhetorical precis:

The bibliographical information of the original piece, such as the title, author’s name, date, and other relevant data.
An explanation of how the writer of the piece has developed and supported his/her core ideas.
A statement of the author’s purpose.
The delivery: How the author captures the reader’s attention. Who his/her target audience is. How he/she caters those ideas to readers.

This is the core information that should be present in a rhetorical precis. Additionally, you are expected to use short quotes from the original piece to give your readers a sense of the author’s tone and style. Here is a good rhetorical precis example that you can examine:

Rhetorical precis example: Barry, Dave. “The Ugly Truth about Beauty.” Mirror on America: Short Essays and Images from Popular Culture. 2nd ed. Eds. Joan T. Mims and Elizabeth M. Nollen. NY: Bedford, 2003. 109-12. Dave Barry, in his work “The Ugly Truth about Beauty” (1998), claims that “…women generally do not think of their looks in the same way that men do” (4). Barry illuminates this discrepancy by juxtaposing men’s perceptions of their looks (“average-looking”) with women’s (“not good enough”) by contrasting female role-models (Barbie, Cindy Crawford) with male role-models (He-Man, BuzzOff) and by comparing men’s interests (the Super Bowl, lawn care) with women’s (manicures). He exaggerates and stereotypes these differences in order to prevent women from so eagerly accepting society’s expectations of them; in fact, Barry claims that men who want women to “look like Cindy Crawford” are “idiots” (10). Barry ostensibly addresses men in this essay because he opens and closes the essay by directly addressing men (as in “If you’re a man…”) and offering to give them advice in a mockingly conspiratorial fashion; however, by using humor to poke fun at both men and women’s perceptions of themselves, Barry makes this essay palatable to both genders and hopes to convince women to stop obsessively “thinking they need to look like Barbie” (8).

Why Are Students Assigned to Write Precis?

This form of academic assignment generally has several purposes. First of all, it helps professors see how well you can summarize, think critically, as well as detect and highlight essential information. Such a task also demonstrates students’ writing skills, their ability to express their thoughts clearly, their intelligibly, and their ability to write with precision. Finally, writing a precis is an effective way to learn new material.

If a precis is a brief summary of an original text, then how is it different from paraphrasing you may wonder? Unlike a paraphrased piece, a precis is not just a restatement of the original text in your own words. It does not require you to mention all of the details provided in the original piece, but rather sum up the main ideas from it. Another distinctive feature that differentiates the two is that paraphrasing is mostly used to refer to certain ideas or statements given in another work, while precis have the purpose of guiding readers through a piece they haven’t read.

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Precis Format

When writing a precis, whether a rhetorical or regular one, make sure that your paper has these 5 key qualities:

1. Conciseness. Unless your professor provides another word count, a precis should be about ¼th the size of the original piece. It has to be concise and straight to the point; thus, you should avoid repetition, wordy expressions, wateriness, and unnecessary details. 2. Objectivity. A precis implies providing an objective construal of the essential information given in the original piece, without including your personal opinions. 3. Coherency. You must provide information in a logical sequence. 4. Clarity. A precis should be easy to read and understand. The main goal of this work is to make the reader understand the original piece and the ideas the author conveyed in it, without the reader even having to read it. Thus, use simple structure and language. 5. Correctness. A precis should deliver accurate details, figures, facts, dates, and should have proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Precis Title: Précis of [Author's Name]'s "[Name of Work/Article]"
Font Size: 12 point
Spacing: Double
Margins: At least 1 inch from all sides
Name and Pledge: Place them at the end of your precis
Tone of Voice: Stick to the the author’s voice in the original piece
Direct Quotations: Put quotes in quotation marks, include a page number in parentheses after the quote
Order and Organization: Stick to the order of the original article

So, how do you write it step-by-step? Here is a comprehensive guide to help you succeed with writing a precis:

Step 1: Pick the article, work, or story you will write a precis on Unless you were assigned to write your precis on some specific material, you will have to choose the original piece yourself. In this case, be sure to choose an article or work that is publicly available in its full length, so that you can read the whole thing.

Step 2: Read the original piece Take your time to read the entire piece carefully and without rushing, to make sure you understand it fully.

Step 3: Re-read it and take notes Go back to the original piece after you’ve already read it and grasped the general idea. Now, your goal is to interpret the author’s core ideas—take notes.

Step 4: Make an outline Based on your notes, list all of the key details and arguments you found. This will help you see if you have everything important covered. Then, make a clear and well-structured outline for your precis. To make an outline, feel free to use a precis template given under the steps section of this article.

Step 5: Write a precis When writing a precis, be sure to follow your professor’s guidelines and the outline you have. Use simple language and structure, and keep an eye on the size of your precis.

Step 6: Proofreading and editing Make sure you include all of the important details in your text. Also, check to make sure it does not contain any unnecessary details. Finally, check your draft for any mistakes—including punctuation, grammar, style, and any other errors. Carefully polish it until it looks good.

You might also be interested in discovering HOW TO WRITE A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY

Following the steps mentioned above, you should be able to handle writing a precis with ease. To give you an even better understanding of how the finished piece should look, here is a precis sample template:

Name of the author of the original piece, [a few words describing the author (optional)], the title of article and genre, date of publication in parentheses (if you need to include additional publishing information, put it in parentheses); a rhetorically accurate verb like “claims,” “suggests,” “argues,” “asserts,” or other; THAT – followed by the author’s thesis statement.

Example: Antoine Gara, Forbes expert in the fields of Banking and Insurance, in the article The Forbes Investigation: Inside The Secret Bank Behind The Fintech Boom (Dec 17, 2019), suggests that a tiny FDIC-insured bank – Cross River – can give a much more accurate glimpse into the future of banking than Manhattan’s and Silicon Valley’s financial districts.

A brief and clear explanation of how the author develops and supports his ideas throughout the piece, usually in chronological order.
A statement of the author’s purpose, usually followed by “in order to” and a brief explanation of what he/she wanted to achieve/what message was conveyed with his/her work.
A short explanation of the author’s tone of voice, style, target audience, etc.

You can always find custom essay writer at EssayPro writing service.

Citing a Precis

In-text citations.

When writing a precis, you need to provide the author’s name, the original work’s title, and the publication date in the first sentence of your text.

Example: Dave Barry in his work “The Ugly Truth about Beauty” (1998), claims that…

Since the author’s name is already stated, you do not need to repeat it in parentheses after any in-text citations. Instead, if you quote anything from the original piece, include the page number where it can be found in the parenthesis after the quote.

Example : He exaggerates and stereotypes these differences in order to prevent women from so eagerly accepting society’s expectation of them; in fact, Barry claims that men who want women to “look like Cindy Crawford” are “idiots” (10).

Works Cited

In the works cited page you will only have to cite the original source according to the chosen format and the type of the source. If it is an article, like in our example, the citation will look like this:

Example: Barry, Dave. “The Ugly Truth about Beauty.” Mirror on America: Short Essays and Images from Popular Culture. 2nd ed. Eds. Joan T. Mims and Elizabeth M. Nollen. NY: Bedford, 2003. 109-12.

Things to Remember

Writing a precis can be challenging. They require attention and precision, as well as solid writing skills and the ability to grasp the core ideas of the original piece. However, with the help of our detailed guide, we hope that you will be able to handle such a task with ease.

To wrap-up everything that was mentioned before, let’s once again recap key things to keep in mind when writing a precis:

A precis is a short summary of an article or other work, but not a paraphrased copy or a critical analysis.
It should be concise (about ¼th of the original source’s volume).
It should only focus on main ideas, arguments, facts, and details.
A precis should include basic information about the original source, such as its title, author, and date.
A precis does not contain a students’ personal opinions.
It has to be easy to read, clear, and well-structured.
There should be no details or other information from other sources.
A precis is written in the third person.

Read also about IEEE Format to become even more experienced.

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is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

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English that goes straight to the heart

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions

A précis is an intelligent summary of a long passage. It aims at testing your understanding of the passage. As it is a summary, it is always shorter than the original passage.

In this post, we have added the top 12 Precis Writing Examples With Solutions

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #1

The citizen of democracy needs certain intellectual qualities. It is not enough to love truth; the citizen must learn how to find it. It is easy to teach students to reason correctly in the Physical Sciences; it is much more difficult to reason correctly in the social sciences where their own prejudices and passions are involved.

They must be taught habits of clear thinking in order that they may acquire the power of recognizing their own prejudices and of discussing political and economic questions with the same calm, the same desire to understand the other person’s position, the same precision, and absence of overstatement, that they would bring to the discussion of a problem in mathematics. Further, they must acquire some knowledge of the broad facts of the world of politics and economics; they must know something about the world today and the history of its development. (148 Words)

Title: Intellectual Qualities for Democracy

A citizen of democracy must seek facts and reason precisely to identify his own prejudices. He must be able to think clearly enough to recognize his weaknesses and to discuss political and economic problems with the calm precision of mathematics. Also need to know something about Social Science. (50 Words)

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Also, Read Precis Writing Rules

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #2

Films should contribute to human understanding and progress rather than hinder them antisocially. The excitement of gangsterdom is permissible so long as the antisocial quality of gangsterdom is not held up as something desirable. Frivolous gaiety may be introduced, but it should not be presented as the be-all and end-all, of living. Life can be made exciting and romantic provided it is not permanently distorted.

For there can never be much human progress if we distort things by pretending the world is much better than it actually is. Thus the attitude of a film to the grimmer side of life can not be worthwhile if it glosses it over, since that only confirms our backwardness. Nothing bad should be treated approvingly. The introduction of gangsterdom, war, idle luxury; slums unemployment, poverty, and their accompanying misery, crime, and disease, should not leave the audience complacent, but should if anything inspire them with a determination to end them. (159 Words)

Title: Films -Entertainment or Distortion of Reality / The Impact of Films on Society

Films should contribute to human understanding and progress rather than hinder them antisocially, and should not gloss over the grimmer side of life, such as gangsterdom, war, idle luxury, and poverty. (31 Words)

Films should contribute to human understanding and progress rather than hinder them antisocially. Life can be made exciting and romantic, but it should not be permanently distorted. The introduction of gangsterdom, war, idle luxury, slums unemployment, poverty, and their accompanying misery, crime, and disease should not leave the audience complacent but should inspire them with a determination to end them. (60 Words)

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #3

Everyone has continual control during his life with the variety of experiences known as art. Their experience ranges from the craft level found in the design and execution of the practical things of life to the more imaginative because less material level is required for the enjoyment of music, painting, sculpture, and literature. In the fine arts, human creativity is no longer concerned with producing an object which will be required for use anyhow, whether it is beautiful or not, but with providing a stimulus for the satisfaction of human emotion in its various levels of manifestation.

The majority of human beings since they are culturally underprivileged, are satisfied if their emotions are roused easily and mechanically by the more simple emotional easily identified sentimentalities that easily assimilate emotional reflexes-by dance, and music, by the identified references of cinema organ sentimentalities, by the picture with a story or easily assimilated moral, and by the simple violent plots of the cheap magazine. The culturally privileged demand a more complicated satisfaction. They require because they are educated on the aesthetic aspects of the arts. (180 Words)

Title: The Power of Art / The Importance of Art Education

The most important idea is that art provides a stimulus for the satisfaction of human emotion and that the majority of people are satisfied with simple emotional sentimentalities, while the culturally privileged require a more complicated satisfaction due to their education in the aesthetic aspects of the arts. (48 Words)

Also, Read How to Write a Précis?

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #4

The study of history depends more than any other branch of science or literature on the availability of a large number of books. The history student nowadays is often discouraged or hampered by the lack of them, especially of those older standard works which have gone out of print. Even before the Second World War publishers were not willing to risk reprinting works often running into several big volumes for which the demand, was uncertain and the cost of production high. During the war air raids destroyed over a million books in one district of London alone, and reduced to ashes the entire stock of one firm which had specialized in historical works.

Since the war paper has been costly and scarce; the costs of printing and binding have risen sharply; and the demand, though greater, is still not large enough to make worthwhile the republication of many books which historians regard as essential. The main reason for this insufficient demand is the disappearance of the private library. Private libraries were common in Victorian Times but they no longer exist in modern small houses where there is no room for bookshelves. (190 Words)

Title: The Challenges of Historical Research in the Modern Era

The study of history is hindered by the lack of books, especially older standard works which have gone out of print due to the cost of printing and binding. The main reason is the disappearance of private libraries, which no longer exist in modern small houses. (46 Words)

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #5

Speech is a great blessing, but it can also be a great curse, for, while it helps us to make our intentions and desires known to our fellows, it can also, if we use it carelessly make our attitude completely misunderstood. A slip of the tongue. the use of an unusual or ambiguous word, and so on, may create an enemy where we had hoped to win a friend.

Again different classes of people use different vocabularies, and the ordinary speech of an educated man may strike an uneducated listener as showing pride; unwittingly we may use a word that bears a different meaning for our listener from what it does to men of our own class. Thus speech is not a gift to use lightly without thought, but one which demands careful handling. Only a fool will express himself alike to all kinds and conditions of men. (148 Words)

Title: The Blessing and Curse of Speech

Speech is a great gift, but it can also be a curse if used carelessly. Different classes of people use different vocabularies, and the ordinary speech of an educated man may strike an uneducated listener as pride. Careful handling of speech is essential, as only a fool will express himself alike to all people. (54 Words)

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #6

Man is the architect of his own fate. If he makes a proper division of his time and does his duties according he is sure to improve and prosper in life; but if he does otherwise, he is sure to repent, when it is too late and he will have dragged a miserable existence from day to day. To kill time is as culpable as committing suicide, but our life is nothing but the sum total of hours, days, and years. Youth is the golden season of life.

In youth, the mind is pliable and soft and can be moulded in any form you like. If we lose the morning hours of life, we shall have to repent afterwards. It is called the ‘seed time of life’. If we sow good seeds, we shall reap a good harvest when we grow up. (142 Words)

Title: Youth: The Gloden Opportunity to shape your / Man is the Architect of his own Fate

Man is responsible for his own fate, and if he does not make proper use of his time, he will regret it. Youth is the golden season of life, and if we lose the morning hours of life, we will have to repent. (43 Words)

Also, Read Summary Writing

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #7

It is sometimes said that the pleasures of giving are peculiar to the rich, and no doubt the pleasure of giving is one of the greatest and purest that wealth can bestow. Still the poor also may be liberal and generous. The widow’s mite, so far as the widow is concerned, counts for as much as the rich man’s gold.

Moreover, as regards kindness and sympathy which are far more valuable than money, the poor can give as much as, perhaps even more than the rich. Money is not wealth. A proverb says: “A man’s true wealth is good that he does in the world”. When he dies, men will ask what property he has left behind, but Angels will inquire, “What good deeds hast thou sent before thee?” (130 Words)

Title: The Pleasure of Giving / Generosity Knows No Wealth

The poor can give as much as the rich, and kindness and sympathy are more valuable than money. A proverb states that a man’s true wealth is the good deeds he does in the world. (35 Words)

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #8

The lot of our Indian peasant is certainly a pitiable one. He labours under many disadvantages. In the first place, he is illiterate, and does not, therefore, care to know more than he has inherited from his ancestors. He laughs at his tiny piece of land from morning to evening and if the seasons favour him, earns what barely suffices to meet his daily demands. He does not grumble to pay his rent so much as he does for the loss of his plough cattle. He lives in debt over head and ears, yet he does not care to save anything for the morrow.

To ameliorate his condition, the supply of good plough cattle, the adoption of preventive measures to save the animals from diseases, and, last of all, primary education should engage the serious attention of the Indian Government. (138 Words)

Title: Illiteracy and its effect on Indian Peasant / The Pitiable Conditions of Indian Peasant

The Indian peasant is suffering from many disadvantages, such as illiteracy, poverty, and debt. To improve his situation, the supply of good plough cattle, preventive measures, and primary education should be addressed by the Indian Government. (36 Words)

Also, Read Summary Essay

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #9

The aim of culture and religion is the same. Men are all members of one great whole, and the sympathy which is in human nature will not allow one member to be different from the rest or to have perfect welfare independent of the rest. The expansion of our humanity to suit the idea of perfection that culture forms must be a general expansion. Perfection, as culture conceives it is not possible while the individual remains isolated. He must carry others along with him in his march towards perfection.

Culture lays on us the same obligation as a religion which says that “to promote the kingdom of God is to increase and hasten one’s own happiness. Culture is a harmonious expansion of all the powers that make human nature’s beauty and worth. Culture is not consistent with the over-development of any power at the expense of the rest. Here it goes beyond religion, as we generally conceive religion. (162 Words)

Title: Culture and Religion: The Two Sides of the Same Coin

Culture leading to perfection, like religion, complements rather than competes with the latter. Culture, like religion, demands perfection rather than the unification of everything. Culture means harmonious development of all faculties and not overdevelopment of any at the expense of others. Here it transcends religion in its emphasis on harmonious development. (50 Words)

The aim of culture and religion is the same: to expand humanity to suit the idea of perfection. Culture is a harmonious expansion of all the powers which make the beauty and worth of human nature, and is not consistent with the over-development of any power at the expense of the rest. It lays on us the same obligation as a religion to promote the kingdom of God is to increase and hasten one’s own happiness. (72 Words)

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #10

Perseverance is the very hinge of all virtues. On looking over the world, the cause of nine-tenths of the lamentable failures which occur in much of their history lies not in the want of talents, but in the manner of using them, in flying from object to object, in starting away at each little disgust, and thus applying the force which might conquer anyone difficulty to a series of difficulties so large that no human race can conquer them.

The smallest brook on earth by continuing to run has hollowed out for itself a considerable valley to flow in. Commend me, therefore, to the virtue of severance. Without it, all the rest are little better than fairy gold which glitters in your purse, but taken to the market proves to be state or cinders. (134 Words)

Title: The Importance of Perseverance / Perseverance: The Hinge of Virtues

Perseverance is the key to success, and severance is the virtue of severance. Without it, all the rest are a little better than fairy gold. (25 Words)

Perseverance is the key to all virtues and is the cause of many failures in history. It is the act of flying from object to object, starting away at each little disgust, and applying the force which might conquer anyone’s difficulty to a series of difficulties so large that no human race can conquer them. Without it, all the rest are little better than fairy gold which glitters in your purse, but when taken to the market proves to be state or cinders. (83 Words)

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #11

A poor woman once came to the Buddha and begged him to revive her dead child. The holy man was touched by the woman’s great sorrow. Then he asked him to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death had never entered. The sad mother started looking for mustard seeds from door to door. One said, our little child died last year. Another said I lost my father. The evening came.

He returned to Lord Buddha with a heavy heart and told him about the results of his search. Then the Buddha gently told him not to think of his own suffering, for suffering and death are common to all.

Title: The Buddha and the Grieving Mother / The Universal Experience of Suffering and Death

Precis: A poor woman came to the Buddha and begged him to revive her dead child. He asked her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death had never entered. The mother searched for mustard seeds from door to door and returned to Lord Buddha with a heavy heart. The Buddha gently reminded her that suffering and death are common to all. (65 Words)

Precis Writing Examples With Solutions #12

Returning to India, Swami Vivekananda travelled from one end of the country to the other giving lectures. The burden of his speech was that India must stand on its own feet and believe in itself. His speech acted like a tonic on the dull spirits of the people. He asked the youth to devote themselves to the service of the country. He had little faith in the upper class; He said they were already dead, they were just mummies. According to him, the strength of a nation lies in its people. He was very anxious to welcome a new India of hardworking people.

Title: Swami Vivekananda’s Vision for India

Precis: Swami Vivekananda travelled to India to give lectures, preaching that India must stand on its own feet and believe in itself. He asked the youth to devote themselves to the service of the country and had little faith in the upper class, believing that the strength of a nation lies in its people. He was anxious to welcome a new India of hardworking people. (64 Words)

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Precis Writing Samples With Answers

What is Précis Writing?

Examples Of Precis Writing

Raj is a software engineer with excellent technical skills. But he’s not an efficient communicator. One of his biggest weaknesses…

Raj is a software engineer with excellent technical skills. But he’s not an efficient communicator. One of his biggest weaknesses is the inability to speak or write with precision. This is why Raj keeps failing in the interview rounds as well as in placement exercises that involve language, as in the case of precis writing.

To test precision writing in candidates, there is no better challenge than precis writing, which technically means a summary of a passage of text. Let’s take a closer look at this popular recruitment exercise and explore some precis writing samples.

The Key Elements of Precis Writing

Tips to remember during precis writing, precis writing examples with solutions, perfect the art of precis writing.

Precis writing samples with answers can only be appreciated properly when you’re aware of what exactly characterizes a precis:

Clarity doesn’t mean that you oversimplify the original passage or try to insert your own interpretations. It means that you retain the essence of the passage without making your precis an exact but shortened copy of the original.

Improvisation

If you look at some of the best examples of precis writing, you’ll see the authors have invariably improvised on the vocabulary. This improvisation means that you use words that can substitute the words in the passage most effectively, as you can’t copy exact sentences or words into your precis.

When you study precis writing samples with answers, notice how each of these examples of precis writing maintains a compact structure that caters to all the crucial parts of the original passage.

Precis writing examples with solutions tell you what to do, but not always how to do it. This part about “how to do it” can be best understood by going through the list of tips for mastering precis writing instead of merely looking at examples of precis writing:

Make the precis one-third of the original passage in size

Before writing your precis, make a list of the important points you want your precis to cover

Try to retain any statistics or figures mentioned in the passage in your precis

Always use indirect speech in your precis

To better understand how the best examples of precis writing manage to extract the main substance from a larger passage, let’s go through the following precis writing examples with solutions.

Original Text: (The Myth of Freedom by Yuval Noah Harari, The Guardian, September 14, 2018)

Liberalism is founded on the belief in human liberty. Unlike rats and monkeys, human beings are supposed to have “free will”. This is what makes human choices the ultimate moral and political authority in the world.

If you happened to be amid the riots in Washington on the day after Martin Luther King was assassinated, or in Paris in May 1968, or at the Democratic party’s convention in Chicago in August 1968, you might well have thought that the end was near. While Washington, Paris and Chicago were descending into chaos, the Soviet system seemed destined to endure forever. Yet 20 years later it was the Soviet system that collapsed. The clashes of the 1960s strengthened liberal democracy, while the stifling climate in the Soviet bloc presaged its demise.

Precis Writing Sample

Human liberty defines liberalism. The concept of “free will” is exclusive to humans and gives us moral and political authority.

During the 1960s, liberalism was undergoing a crisis in the West. Contrasted with the chaos in liberalism, the illiberal system in the Soviet Union seemed to be flourishing. However, in a matter of two decades, it was the Soviet system that collapsed, while liberal democracy strengthened by adapting itself.

Original Text (Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire by Alex von Tunzelmann, pg 277)

On 28 July, Mountbatten held a reception at which he, Patel and V.P. Menon joined forces to bully the princes. The Maharajas stood around nervously to watch this daunting triumvirate at work. Mountbatten would not be able to provide Patel with a completely full basket of apples, but it is striking that he managed to secure as many as he did.

Most of the princes would disappear quietly into estate management or gin palaces, as they pleased. But an impressive number of exceptions ran for office in the new democratic India. Whatever may be said about Mountbatten’s tactics or the machinations of Patel, their achievement remains remarkable. Between them, and in less than a year, it may be argued that these two men achieved a larger India, more closely integrated, than had 90 years of the British raj, 180 years of the Mughal Empire, or 130 years of Ashoka and the Maurya rulers.

Precis Writing Sample:

Mountbatten held a reception with the purpose of bullying the princes in tandem with Patel and V.P. Menon. As the princes speculated, Mountbatten went about persuading them, providing Patel with far more accessions than he should have been able to.

Many princes became irrelevant after accession, but some ran for office in independent India. But between themselves, Mountbatten and Patel achieved something remarkable, constituting an India at the time of independence that was greater and more closely integrated than ever before.

Some examples of precis writing, as cited above, demonstrate that precis writing is no simple skill. At Harappa , the Writing Proficiently course is tailor-made to cater to the development of skills like precis writing. Through this course, you will learn how to structure your precis, summarize arguments, and achieve precision through the best examples of precis writing. Enroll today for the Writing Proficiently course and join employees from organizations like Airtel, Uber, Standard Chartered, etc. in becoming perfect precis writers.

Explore topics such as What are Written Communication Skills, the Significance of Writing Skills , Different Types of Writing Styles , Examples of Descriptive Writing & Common Persuasive Writing Techniques and learn to draft well-crafted messages to convey your ideas and intentions.

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Deep Dive into Essay Writing

Essay writing is an essential skill that can greatly enhance your academic and professional success. By mastering the art of essay writing, you can effectively communicate your ideas, opinions, and arguments in a clear and concise manner.

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	Start by brainstorming ideas, creating an outline, and organizing your thoughts before you begin writing. This will help you stay focused and ensure that your essay flows logically.
	Your thesis statement should clearly express the main point or argument of your essay. It sets the tone for the rest of your writing and guides your reader on what to expect.
	Support your ideas with evidence from credible sources. This will strengthen your arguments and make your essay more convincing.
	Ensure that your essay is well-organized and easy to follow. Use clear and concise language, logical transitions, and proper paragraph structure.
	Review your essay for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Make sure your ideas are well-developed and coherent. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors for further improvement.

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ISBN-10 9380068174
ISBN-13 978-9380068176
Edition Fourth
Publisher Arihant Publication
Publication date 1 January 2016
Language English
Dimensions 20.3 x 25.4 x 4.7 cm
Print length 198 pages
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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arihant Publication; Fourth edition (1 January 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 198 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9380068174
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9380068176
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 170 g
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20.3 x 25.4 x 4.7 cm
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10 of the Best Books on Writing and Publishing

Laura Sackton

Laura Sackton is a queer book nerd and freelance writer, known on the internet for loving winter, despising summer, and going overboard with extravagant baking projects. In addition to her work at Book Riot, she reviews for BookPage and AudioFile, and writes a weekly newsletter, Books & Bakes , celebrating queer lit and tasty treats. You can catch her on Instagram shouting about the queer books she loves and sharing photos of the walks she takes in the hills of Western Mass (while listening to audiobooks, of course).

View All posts by Laura Sackton

Aspiring authors, meet your new best friends: Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry. These seasoned pros provide an engaging and effective resource that includes a practical roadmap for planning, writing, and publishing your book, plus insider tips on capturing the attention of agents and publishers—even without a massive following. Writers at any stage will thrive with this comprehensive guide and ready access to HungryAuthors.com for additional support.

I know I’m not the only writer who loves reading about writing and publishing, so I’ve collected some of my favorite books on the subject. I veered away from the more popular how-to guides, and you’ll notice some classic writing books missing from the list as well. Instead, I’ve included books that approach writing and publishing from unique perspectives, books that blend craft lessons with memoir, and books that have changed the way I think about writing, revising, publishing, and the creative process more broadly. I reach for many of these books when I’m stuck—and I can’t think of a better endorsement than that.

cover of How To Write An Autobiographical Novel: Essays by Alexander Chee; red with a small photo of the author, an Asian man

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee

This is my all-time favorite book about writing. It’s a memoir-in-essays, and Chee doesn’t exclusively focus on writing: there are essays on his childhood in Maine, growing roses, AIDS activism, and more. But even the essays that are ostensibly about something else are full of Chee’s wisdom and insight into what it means to be a writer. This book is vulnerable, generous, challenging, and moving. It’s the first recommendation out of my mouth whenever anyone asks me for a book to hand to new and aspiring writers.

1000 Words by Jami Attenberg

This book grew out of Jami Attenberg’s wonderful 1000 Words of Summer community initiative. Every June, thousands of writers from all over the world cheer each other on as they attempt to write 1000 words every day for two weeks. Each day during the event, Attenberg sends out an email with a letter from a different writer; this book collects many of those letters, along with Attenberg’s own advice and encouragement. You’ll find wisdom and inspiration from Carmen Maria Machado, Roxane Gay, Celeste Ng, and many more. Anyone who’s ever felt alone with their pen will appreciate this vibrant collection.

Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses

This book is a blend of craft lessons and a critique of the concept of “craft” itself. Salesses explores how definitions of craft, as well as the ways most writing workshops function, are set up to serve white men and no one else. So many of the craft ideas we’re taught are based in Western understandings of storytelling and rarely serve writers from marginalized communities. In this invigorating and inviting book, Salesses offers a different approach to workshopping that honors and celebrates diverse storytelling traditions.

Black Women Writers At Work edited by Claudia Tate

This seminal collection, first published in 1983, has long been out of print. Rereleased in 2023, with a new forward, it’s just as illuminating and important as it was 40 years ago. It includes interviews with luminaries such as Maya Angelou, Audre Lorde, Toni Morrison, Nikki Giovanni, among others. These poets, novelists, essayists, and playwrights discuss how and why they write, who they write for, the connections between their lives and work, and much more.

A People’s Guide to Publishing by Joe Biel

Book publishing can be a daunting field, and some of the books about it are equally daunting—long, dense, and full of details. This accessible, informal, and highly informative guide is a great place to start if you’re curious about the publishing industry. Joe Biel, founder of Microcosm Publishing, draws on 20+ years in the industry and shares everything you need to know to get started. His style is forthright and direct, and he’s great at explaining industry concepts in ways that make sense.

Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum

This is a fantastic, inviting guide to all aspects of the writing and publishing process. Author Courtney Maum answers loads of common questions about writing and publishing your first book. She also includes the words and wisdom of dozens of other authors and book professionals, including translators, editors, agents, film producers, activists, and others. It’s a lot of fun to read this cover to cover, but it’s also a great resource to refer to as needed.

Body Work by Melissa Febos

Febos is one of my favorite writers who writes about writing. In this slim book, Febos asks big questions about writing memoir: how and why do we tell intimate stories about our lives? How does the act of writing affect our non-writing lives and relationships? How are art, trauma, and experience connected? This is one of those rare craft books that has something for both writers and readers. Whoever you are, I promise you won’t look at memoir the same way again.

Book Wars by John Brookshire Thompson

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How We Do It edited by Jericho Brown

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How to cite ChatGPT

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We, the APA Style team, are not robots. We can all pass a CAPTCHA test , and we know our roles in a Turing test . And, like so many nonrobot human beings this year, we’ve spent a fair amount of time reading, learning, and thinking about issues related to large language models, artificial intelligence (AI), AI-generated text, and specifically ChatGPT . We’ve also been gathering opinions and feedback about the use and citation of ChatGPT. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and shared ideas, opinions, research, and feedback.

In this post, I discuss situations where students and researchers use ChatGPT to create text and to facilitate their research, not to write the full text of their paper or manuscript. We know instructors have differing opinions about how or even whether students should use ChatGPT, and we’ll be continuing to collect feedback about instructor and student questions. As always, defer to instructor guidelines when writing student papers. For more about guidelines and policies about student and author use of ChatGPT, see the last section of this post.

Quoting or reproducing the text created by ChatGPT in your paper

If you’ve used ChatGPT or other AI tools in your research, describe how you used the tool in your Method section or in a comparable section of your paper. For literature reviews or other types of essays or response or reaction papers, you might describe how you used the tool in your introduction. In your text, provide the prompt you used and then any portion of the relevant text that was generated in response.

Unfortunately, the results of a ChatGPT “chat” are not retrievable by other readers, and although nonretrievable data or quotations in APA Style papers are usually cited as personal communications , with ChatGPT-generated text there is no person communicating. Quoting ChatGPT’s text from a chat session is therefore more like sharing an algorithm’s output; thus, credit the author of the algorithm with a reference list entry and the corresponding in-text citation.

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialized, “the notation that people can be characterized as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth” (OpenAI, 2023).

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

You may also put the full text of long responses from ChatGPT in an appendix of your paper or in online supplemental materials, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated. It is particularly important to document the exact text created because ChatGPT will generate a unique response in each chat session, even if given the same prompt. If you create appendices or supplemental materials, remember that each should be called out at least once in the body of your APA Style paper.

When given a follow-up prompt of “What is a more accurate representation?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that “different brain regions work together to support various cognitive processes” and “the functional specialization of different regions can change in response to experience and environmental factors” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Creating a reference to ChatGPT or other AI models and software

The in-text citations and references above are adapted from the reference template for software in Section 10.10 of the Publication Manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, Chapter 10). Although here we focus on ChatGPT, because these guidelines are based on the software template, they can be adapted to note the use of other large language models (e.g., Bard), algorithms, and similar software.

The reference and in-text citations for ChatGPT are formatted as follows:

Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

Let’s break that reference down and look at the four elements (author, date, title, and source):

Author: The author of the model is OpenAI.

Date: The date is the year of the version you used. Following the template in Section 10.10, you need to include only the year, not the exact date. The version number provides the specific date information a reader might need.

Title: The name of the model is “ChatGPT,” so that serves as the title and is italicized in your reference, as shown in the template. Although OpenAI labels unique iterations (i.e., ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4), they are using “ChatGPT” as the general name of the model, with updates identified with version numbers.

The version number is included after the title in parentheses. The format for the version number in ChatGPT references includes the date because that is how OpenAI is labeling the versions. Different large language models or software might use different version numbering; use the version number in the format the author or publisher provides, which may be a numbering system (e.g., Version 2.0) or other methods.

Bracketed text is used in references for additional descriptions when they are needed to help a reader understand what’s being cited. References for a number of common sources, such as journal articles and books, do not include bracketed descriptions, but things outside of the typical peer-reviewed system often do. In the case of a reference for ChatGPT, provide the descriptor “Large language model” in square brackets. OpenAI describes ChatGPT-4 as a “large multimodal model,” so that description may be provided instead if you are using ChatGPT-4. Later versions and software or models from other companies may need different descriptions, based on how the publishers describe the model. The goal of the bracketed text is to briefly describe the kind of model to your reader.

Source: When the publisher name and the author name are the same, do not repeat the publisher name in the source element of the reference, and move directly to the URL. This is the case for ChatGPT. The URL for ChatGPT is https://chat.openai.com/chat . For other models or products for which you may create a reference, use the URL that links as directly as possible to the source (i.e., the page where you can access the model, not the publisher’s homepage).

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How to cite ChatGPT
In this post, I discuss situations where students and researchers use ChatGPT to create text and to facilitate their research, not to write the full text of their paper or manuscript. We know instructors have differing opinions about how or even whether students should use ChatGPT, and we'll be continuing to collect feedback about instructor ...

How to Write a Precis - A Step-by-Step Guide

What is a Précis?

Qualities and Features of a Rhetorical précis

Rules (or Do's) of Précis Writing

The Don'ts when writing a Précis

The Structure/Format of a Précis

How to Write a Précis Step-by-Step

First Step: Read the prompt

Second Step: Read the original piece

Third Step: Re-read the original and take notes

Fourth Step: Put together the highlighted ideas

Fifth Step: Develop the thesis

Sixth Step: Breakdown your précis (outline)

Seventh Step: Write the précis

Eighth Step: Proofread, edit, and polish

Paragraphing: The Four-Sentence Rhetorical Précis

First Sentence

Second Sentence

Third Sentence

Fourth Sentence

The four-sentence précis Template

Sample four-sentence rhetorical précis

Sample précis Questions

Checklist of a Good précis

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Original Tone:

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