Précis Writing

What is Precis Writing 

1.  It is an exercise in compression.

2. A precis is the gist of a passage expressed in as few words as possible.

3. A precis should give all essential points so that anyone reading it will be able to understand the idea       

    expressed in the original passage. 

4. A precis is in the precis writer's own word and it is about one-third of the original.

5. It is useful in grasping the ideas of a passage, extract, chapter or book.

6. It improves writing skills and teaches the quality of expressing much in few words.

7. You cannot insert your own remarks and criticism in a precis.

8. Always take the fact and data that is given in paragraph only.

9. Also, during a precis writing, you cannot insert a question.

10. A précis is a brief summary of a book, article, speech, or other text.

11. How long is a precis? 100-200 words

For more information please use this link: 

https://www.toppr.com/guides/business-correspondence-and-reporting/precis-writing/dos-and-donts-of-precis-writing

An example to understand precis writing better: 

Summarize the given passage.

We all know what we mean by a "good" man. The ideally good man does not drink or smoke, avoids bad language, converses in the presence of men only exactly as he would if there were ladies present, attends church regularly and holds the correct opinion on all subjects. He has a wholesome horror of wrong-doing and realizes that it is our painful duty to castigate sin. He has a still greater horror of wrong thinking and considers it the business of the authorities to safeguard the young against those who question the wisdom of the views generally accepted by middle-aged successful citizens. Apart from his professional duties, at which he is assiduous, he spends much time in good works: he may encourage patriotism and military training; he may promote industry, sobriety and virtue among wage earners and their children by seeing to it that failures in these respects receive due punishment; he may be a trustee of a university and prevent an ill-judged respect for learning from allowing the employment of professors with subversive ideas. Above all, of course, his "morals" in the narrow sense must be irreproachable. (189 words) - Bertrand Russell

Model answer

Characteristics of a good man

According to the author, an ideally good man is intensely religious and avoids bad habits such as smoking and drinking. He does not use obscene or indecent language and has a fear of wrongdoing and wrong thinking. He is professionally dutiful and takes an active interest in promoting virtues such as patriotism, industry and sobriety among workers and their children. If possible, he prevents the employment of professors with subversive ideas.