This document provides an overview of precis writing, which is a brief summary of the key ideas from a text. A precis should be concise, clear, complete, unified, and coherent, typically being 1/3 to 1/4 the length of the original text. It should be written in the third person and past tense without paragraphs or opinions. The document outlines rules for precis writing and recommends a three-step process: first reading to understand the main idea, second reading to identify essential facts, and final reading to compose the precis focusing on important facts in as few words as possible.
5. Rules
It is usually 1/3 to 1/4 of the original text(
depending on the nature of the text and the
purpose)
It is written in 3rd person
It is usually in past tense
It is not divided into paragraphs
Uses own words
Does not add the opinion of the writer
Sates as much as possible in as few words as
possible
6. How to Write: First Reading
1. Read every word slowly and carefully until you
clearly understand the sense of the passage.
2. Look up all unfamiliar words, phrases, and
allusions
3. Identify the dominating idea, the essential
thought, of the passage. Ask if this idea were
omitted, would the
fundamental meaning of the passage be
changed?
4. Determine what emphasis and space to give the
thought in each section; write a heading for each
section.
7. How to Write: Second Reading
1. Underscore with a pencil the important facts
containing the essential thoughts. This is a
process of differentiation
between what is essential and what is not.
Generally you will omit examples, illustrations,
conversations, and
repetitions.
2. Reread your selections to see that they are wise
and adequate.
3. Determine if your underscoring expresses the
main ideas.
8. How to Write: Final Reading
Rapidly and intensely reread the origin, dwelling
on the important facts selected for a précis.
