Naeem series By Naeem Akhtar (M.com. M.A.

English) 03344185053

Précis Writing
Introduction:

Précis writing is a very fine exercise in a reading; writing and practical life for
those who have to carry on communication with others. Précis is neither a
paraphrase of the Original passage nor a list of main points. It is a piece of
continuous writing which possesses proper organization of ideas, logical sequence
of points and the variety of language. It is not merely a condensed reproduction
of the original passage. Précis writing skill involves both the comprehension and
effective writing. It is equally important for business and official people.
Literal meaning:
The word précis is a French word which means exact or terse. In English it
means sum up, abridge, summary, precise etc. So it is a restatement in shorted
form of the main ideas and points in a piece of writing.
Definitions:
By Oxford Dictionary:
"It is a short version of a speech or a piece of writing that gives the main points
or ideas.”
By Cambridge Dictionary:
“It is a short form of the text which briefly gives only the important parts.”
So we can say that a précis is the main theme of a passage Written in the
fewest possible words.

Qualities Of A Good Précis

A good piece of précis should possess the following qualities;
1. Conciseness:
A good précis is always written in the fewest possible words. The writer
expresses only the gist, the main purport or general idea of the passage very
concisely. There is no room for examples, illustrations and quotations in précis.
2. Complete and self contained:
A good précis is always complete and self contained. It means it must convey its
message fully and clearly without requiring any reference and allusion to the

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original passage to compete its meaning. The writer should ensure that all the
important ideas are included in the précis.
3. Coherence:
There is coherence in a good précis. It means that each part of the précis must
be related to the other part like the beads of rosary. In order to achieve
coherence, connecting words like however, similarly, therefore, that, so,
consequently, etc should be used in précis. In coherence, ideas do not appear as
separate notes.
4. Clearness:
A good précis is also clear, vivid, simple and easy to understand because in this
the writer uses simple, clear and familiar words after understanding and
comprehending the original passage.
5. Correctness:
A good précis is correct in every respect there is no mistake of
grammar or punctuation
6. Faithful representation:
A good précis presents a faithful reproduction of the main theme. There is no
room in précis for on thoughts or ideas.
7. Length:

A good précis is almost one third of the original passage. Therefore the writer
includes all the unnecessary details from the précis.
8. Elimination of Outdated words:
In a good précis there is no room for outdated words and phrases. It possesses
current vocabulary in it.
9. Use of Grammar and Idioms:
A good précis is always in harmony with the grammar. It bears the use of
idioms which makes précis more concise and useful.
10. Punctuated:
A good précis also possesses proper and suitable use of punctuation marks where
necessary. The use of punctuation marks makes the précis easy to understand
and create effective feedback.
11. Writer's own words:
In a good précis, the writer uses words of his own. He does not borrow words,
phrases, and sentences from the original passage. It shows the through
understanding of the writer.

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12. Paragraph:
A good précis also possesses this quality if be necessary. It does not contain loose
sentences. Paragraphs should not appear to be separated in a good précis.
Paragraph also shows the order of ideas.
13. Chronological order:

A good piece of précis does not change the chronological order of the
original passage.
14. Variety of language:
A good précis contains easy words and simple sentences. It avoids
complex sentences which may create ambiguity and divergence
between the thoughts of the original passage and the précis passage.
15. Logical and natural sequence of points:
This means that sentence and ideas should follow one after the other in an
unbroken chain. The main theme should run through the sentences like a thread
through the beads of a necklace.
16. Reflects the Title:
A good précis also possesses a title that shows the main theme of the passage.
Whether the title is pointed out or not, it must emerge before the very eyes of
the reader while he is reading the précis passage.
17. Avoids redundancy of thoughts:
A good précis does not possess redundancies or repetition of thoughts and facts
and figures.
18. Avoids lexical items:

A good précis avoids lexical items. There is no room for colloquial expressions,
circumlocutions, periphrasis or rhetorical flourishes.
19. Use of Indirect speech
A good précis is an embodiment of indirect speech. Direct speech is always
avoided that is why it is not found in a good piece of précis.
20. Leading thoughts in harmony with general impression:

A good précis should give the leading thoughts and the general impression of
the passage summarized. A précis that gives only leading points without general
impression is not useful. It can not be called a perfect one.

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21. Tense:
A good piece of précis may be penned down in
present or past tenses.
22. Third person pronoun:
A good piece of précis always uses third case of personal pronoun in stead of
using first or second cases of personal pronouns.
23. Avoids Personal opinion:
A good précis does not possess personal views of the précis maker. It only
possesses the ideas of the writer of the original passage.

Rules Of Précis Writing

The rules of précis writing are penned down as follows;
1. Carefully read the passage:
Before the writer starts making précis of the passage it should be read two or
three times very carefully so to comprehend the passage completely
2. Underline the main points:
After reading the passage carefully, all the important
points and ideas should be underlined and the questions at the end of the
passage can assist you identify the main points
3. Chalk out a rough draft:
Put down all the main points in a sequence to get the first draft of your précis
4. Order:
It is desirable to maintain the original order of ideas but it can be changed.
However the chronological order should not be disturbed
5. Chronological order:
The writer should not change the chronological order of the original passage

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6. Length:
A good précis is almost one third of the original
passage. Therefore the writer should exclude all the unnecessary details from the
précis
7. Eliminate the Outdated words:
In a good précis there is no room for outdated words and phrases so they
should be eliminated. It possesses current vocabulary in it
8. Proper use of Grammar and Idioms:
The writer should use grammar and idioms properly. A good précis is always in
harmony with the grammar. The use of idioms makes précis more concise and
useful
9. Use Punctuation:
There should be proper and suitable use of punctuation marks where necessary.
The use of punctuation marks makes the précis easy to understand and create
effective feedback
10. Use your own words:
The writer should use words of his own. He should not borrow words, phrases,
and sentences from the original passage. It shows the through understanding of
the writer
11. Use Paragraph:
The writer should use paragraph if he feels necessary. He should
not make loose sentences. Paragraphs should not appear to be separated in a
good précis. Paragraph also shows the order of ideas
12. Use Variety of language:
The writer should use easy words and simple sentences. He should avoid
complex sentences which may create ambiguity and divergence between the
thoughts of the original passage and the précis passage
13. Maintain the Logical and natural sequence of points:
This means that sentence and ideas should follow one after the other in an
unbroken chain. The main theme should run through the sentences like a thread
through the beads of a necklace
14. No Personal opinion:
A good précis does not possess personal views of the précis maker. It only
possesses the ideas of the writer of the original passage

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15. Use the third person pronoun:
The writer should use the third case of personal pronoun in stead of using the
first or the second cases of personal pronouns
16. Use the indirect speech
A good précis is an embodiment of indirect speech. Direct speech is always
avoided that is why it is not found in a good piece of précis.
17. Final draft:
In the end there should be re-reading and re-checking of the précis to ensure
that the sequence of facts and figures or thoughts and ideas is the same as it is
in the original passage. .

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