PRÉCIS WRITING
A précis is a clear, compact logical summary of
a passage. It gives only the essential or important
ideas of the original text.
It is basically 1/3rd Summary of the given
paragraph
Read Carefully:
Read the passage twice
or thrice carefully to
summarize it.
This will enable
you to understand
the main theme of the
passage.
Trees gives shade for the benefit of others,
and while they themselves stand in the sun
and endure the scorching heat, they
produce fruits of which others profit. The
character of good mankind is that of trees.
What is the use of perishable body if no use
is made of it for the benefit of mankind?
Sandalwood, the more it is rubbed, the more
scent it does yield. Sugarcane the more it is
peeled, and cut up into pieces, the more
juice does it produce. CONTD.
The men who are noble at heart do not loose
their qualities even in loosing their lives. What
matters whether men praise them or not? What
difference does it make whether they die at this
moment or whether lives are prolonged?
Happen what may, those who tread in the right
path will not set foot in any other. Life itself is
unprofitable to a man who does not live for
others. To live for the mere sake of living one’s
life is to live the life of dog and crows. Those
who lay down their lives for the sake of others
will assuredly dwell forever in a world of bliss.
Underline:
Underline and mark the important ideas
and essential points from the original text.
Ability to To Feel the
undergo pain
EXAMPLE:
Trees gives shade for the benefit of others, and
while they themselves stand in the sun and
endure the scorching heat, they produce fruits
of which others profit. The character of good
mankind is that of trees. What is the use of
perishable body if no use is made of it for the
benefit of mankind? Sandalwood, the more it is
rubbed, the more scent it does yield. Sugarcane
the more it is peeled, and cut up into pieces, the
more juice does it produce.
Spoiled A tree used to obtain
perfumes
The men who are noble at heart do not loose
their qualities even in loosing their lives. What
matters whether men praise them or not? What
difference does it make whether they die at this
moment or whether lives are prolonged?
Happen what may, those who tread in the right
path will not set foot in any other. Life itself is
unprofitable to a man who does not live for
others. To live for the mere sake of living one’s
life is to live the life of dog and crows. Those
who lay down their lives for the sake of others
will assuredly dwell for ever in a world of
bliss.
OBVIOUSLY Blessed
PARADISE MOVE
OUTLINE:
With the help of underlined ideas, draw the
outline of your précis.
EXAMPLE:
Character of good men is like that of trees --use of
this perishable body if no use is it used for the benefit
of mankind--men those are noble hearted do not lose
their qualities -- Those who tread in the right path
will not set foot in any other --To live for the mere
sake of living one’s life is to live the life of dogs or
crows--Those who lay down their lives for the sake
of others will assuredly dwell for ever in a world of
bliss.
Omission:
Omit all the unnecessary information or the
long phrases which could be replaced by
one word.
Don’t Omit:
While making a précis, the writer should never
omit the important points and ideas.
Size:
Keep the fact in your mind that the length of the
précis should be the one third of the original
passage.
Indirect Speech:
A précis should be written in indirect speech.
Convert direct to indirect speech.
For example:
He said, “I am selling my car”.
He said that he was selling his car.
Tense and Person:
It should be written in the third person and
past tense. In the case of universal truth the
present tense should be used.
Own Words
A précis should be written in your own words.
Précis of a Dialogue
The précis of a dialogue or conversation should always
be expressed in form of narrative.
Objective Approach
A précis writer should adopt an objective approach. We
should not add his personal ideas to a précis. Put all the
important points and ideas in a logical order.
One Paragraph
There could be two or more paragraphs in the original
text. While making the précis write all the ideas in one
paragraph.
Rough Draft
After omitting all the
unnecessary ideas, the
writer should prepare a
rough draft to finalize it.
Final Draft
Having read the rough draft and pointed out some
mistakes which may be found in the rough draft,
the writer can prepare the final draft.
EXAMPLE:
The character of good men is like that of trees. They live
for others and do not lose their qualities even in losing
their lives. They always follow the right path. Praise is
immaterial to them To live for one’s own sake is to lead
the life of beasts. Only those who lay down their lives for
others will live forever in a world of bliss.
