PRECIS-WRITING

 

Précis means abstract, abridgement or summary. In this way, précis-writing means summarising. To make a précis of a passage is to select main points and as far as possible describe them obviously and briefly.

UTILITY OF PRECIS-WRITING

The object of a précis to enable the reader to get information of main points of a passage without going through it. It plays an important role in composition because it teaches you how to describe your ideas clearly, concisely and effectively. Like a mental discipline too, it is useful because it teaches how to distinguish between essential and superfluous; in other words, it develops sound judgement and accurate discrimination.

FUNDAMENTAL OF GOOD PRECIS

Often it can be asked what makes a good précis. Perhaps by counting all essential traits which target purity, you can answer it in the best way:

1.  A good précis should exhibit main points and exert a general impression. A précis which exhibits points without general impression of condensed passage is not much useful.

2.  A good précis should be fit to be read as a continuous piece of prose. It should not make an impact on the reader of being a series of disjointed sentences.

3.  A good précis should be lucid.  It should be presenting the elements of main passage in a simple language as clear as possible.

4.  A good précis should be precise and brief. Do away with all irrelevancies, quit all digressions deviating from the subject, and remove all useless explanations. Quit all examples, and remove all idioms and adages. As far as possible state main idea in least words.

5.  A good précis should not be sketchy. It should be complete in all respects. It should include all what is important in the original.

POINTS TO OBSERVE

The following points are necessary to observe:

1. Sensible shortening: Précis, which is a form of abstract, abridgement, condensation or epitomization, demands one-third (1/3) of nearby summary of a passage. Therefore limit your rendering to one-third.

2. Careful discrimination: Learn how to distinguish necessary from unnecessary, important from unimportant, petty details from the vital facts. Make sure that passage is understood because if your grasp of the text is insufficient, the selection of essentials will not be correct and your précis will be weak.

3.  Intelligent condensation:  Reduce, whenever possible:

(a) Clause to phrase; as: 

‘When the sun was setting in all its glory’ to

‘at sunset’

(b) Phrase to single word; as: 

‘in the not too distant future’ to 

‘soon’

(c) Clause to single word; as: 

‘A friend in whom one could place entire confidence’ to

‘A reliable friend’

(d) Conversation to its gist in indirect form; as: 

“I really do understand the problem”, Mona protested, “Surely you don’t doubt it? I can assure you that I know exactly what the difficulties are. I am perfectly aware of the complexities of the situation.” to

‘Mona protested that she understand the problem perfectly’

(e) Lists to one generic word; as: 

‘The tea-table was piled high with delicious-looking cakes, brightly-oozing jam tarts, dainty biscuits, sandwiches, and an abundance of most inviting macaroons.’ to

‘There was plenty of delicious food on the tea-table.’

(f) Direct Speech to Indirect Speech; as: 

Direct     : He said to the students, “Do not make a noise”. to

Indirect  : He forbade the students to make a noise.

But it is not always necessary; some passages are well condensed in direct speech.

4.  Clarity and continuity: Make your précis a piece of good, smooth and straightforward prose, not a rough and disjointed note. Lucidity is as essential as economy. It is not just quitting words and phrases in précis.  If there is deficiency of proportion, unity and clarity in your version, you have not succeeded in your work.