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Gowher Ahmad Naik, Lovely Professional University Unit 22: Precis Writing from Seen and Unseen Passages

Unit 22: Precis Writing from Seen and Unseen Passages Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
22.1 Solved Examples
22.2 Examples for Practice
22.3 Further Readings

Objectives
After reading this unit students will be able to:
• Know the Rules of Precis Writing.
• Understand Writing a Precis.
Introduction

The word precis, though now part of the English language, is a French word signifying summary,
substance, abridgement, abstract, condensed statement or epitome (Greek epi-tom-e). All these words convey
the same meaning.
To understand the requirements and techniques of precis writing, the following points should be
taken into consideration.
1. Precis is the expression of the original in condensed terms: A precis has to be a shorter re-
statement of the original. In the examination, the length of the precis is stipulated, and the precis
should not exceed or fall short of the prescribed length by more than five words. In case the
length has not been prescribed, precis should be one-third of the original.
2. The principal contents: The pruning of the original would not spare anything but the bare
essentials. Metaphors, similes, hyperboles, conceits, epigrams will have to be left out. Illustrations,
reasons and arguments should be omitted too. If the passage contains dialogues or direct speech,
this must be put into indirect speech and only a brief extract of it need be given.
3. A precis should be the writer’s own words: A precis should stand on its own. Although a
concise and faithful account of the original passage, it should be self-contained and independent
as a piece of writing. Naturally, a precis writer will have to rely on his own words rather than
use terms from the original passage.
4. Central idea: A precis should set forth briefly the central idea of the original. This idea should be
brought out succinctly.
5. Orderly condensation: A precis should be an orderly abridgement which means that it should
remove all redundancies and state the import of the original as an organised and systematic whole.
A precis is an independent piece of writing in which the sequence of ideas or arguments lead to the
conclusion or the central idea. Care should be taken to preserve the tone of the original passage.
Rules of Writing a Precis
1. You should read the passage carefully two or three times, until you have a clear idea of its
general purport.
2. When you are satisfied as to the main idea, consider the passage in detail. On careful reading,
you will find that the argument generally resolves itself into certain well-defined sections. Observe
carefully the connections between them and write down a suitable heading for each section.
3. Note down the important points and number them at the side. Otherwise you may miss something
important. When all the points are numbered, go through them and strike out which are really

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