Précis Writing

A Précis should be…

• Short & concise account of the original text• 1/3 of the original document• Able to cover all important points but not details• Maximum amount of information in minimum

number of words• Able to stand alone• Written in own language• Able to make complete sense• Informative • Easy to read & understand• Difference from summary and paraphrase by virtue

being its complete and organic

Qualities (5 Cs) of a Précis

• Completeness• Compactness• Conciseness• Clarity• Coherence• complete and organic

Steps to Précis Writing

• Identify the reader & purpose of the Précis• Read the original document twice• Underline the key ideas• Give a suitable title to it• Write a note form summary of each

paragraph• Review & Edit

Do’s of Précis

• It should be written in Active Voice, Past Tense & Indirect Speech

• It should be written in your own Language• It should also be summed up in points• It should be in simple words

Pitfalls

• Illustrations should not be included• Superfluous words should not be used• Original source should not be criticized• No personal comments should be added

Thank You