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Precis Writing

Precis can be defined as a brief piece of content that is the summary of a bigger content like speech or essay. The article explains what precis is and how precis writing is done. It also provides precis writing examples, precis writing meaning, and precis writing format.

Precis can be defined as a brief piece of content that is the summary of a bigger content like speech or essay. Precis can also be an abstract of a thesis, novel, or long-form writing. Precis writing is the method or manner in which precis is written. Precis is useful in the English language as it helps in summarising the main theme or crucial beats of the plot or write-up. Precis writing is very short, ranging between 10-20 lines. It is a very important writing skill. Precis writing makes up a necessary segment of the English language section of competitive exams. 

Precis Writing

Precis writing is a part of comprehension. It is a part of the reading and understanding exercise. Precis writing provides a gist of the total content in a given passage or paragraph. Some key points have to be kept in mind while precis writing:

  • It should be concise
  • It should reflect the spirit of the passage or comprehension
  • It should have all the necessary points and story beats
  • It should be brief and not more than 20 lines
  • It must have obvious links to the comprehensive passage or content
  • The meaning must remain the same

Precis Writing: Examples

Precis writing examples are crucial for understanding how to write precis. Practising a lot before the entrance or competitive exams is essential. It is only through precis writing examples that students can learn and proceed. Precis writing examples are very short, ranging between 10-20 lines. It is a very important writing skill. Precis writing examples are available online and students should use them for practice. Precis writing examples range from stories, comprehensions, news articles, published interviews, poems and novels as well. For example, 

Passage: Abi is a girl who loves to explore. She loves to go to her grandmother’s house for this reason. There she can find a lot of hidden spaces and unknown jars of sweetly-smelling food. Her grandmother’s house also has a beautiful garden. In that garden, there is a wholly different world. Nests of birds can be seen at the top of tall trees. There is a green pond bordered by big and small round pebbles that Abi loves to hold. She had seen frogs there in the previous week. A bunch of frogs of all sizes. Her grandmother’s garden also had a variety of flowers blooming brightly and colourfully. 

Precis: Abi loves to explore and that is why she visits her grandmother’s garden. There are tall trees with birds’ nests, a small pond with many frogs, and a patch of beautiful and colourful flowers. Her grandmother’s house also has secret spaces and mysterious but lovely jars of food. 

Precis Writing: Meaning

The precis writing meaning is quite simple. It means to write briefly. Precis writing meaning is to write precisely and concisely. It is a part of comprehension. Precis writing is a useful skill to have. Precis can also be an abstract of a thesis, novel, or long-form writing. Precis writing is the method or manner in which precis is written. Therefore, precis writing meaning is summarising the content. 

Precis Writing Format

The precis writing format is not tough. If the steps are understood and remembered, then the precis writing format is simple. The format is as given: 

  • Must have a suitable title
  • The passage has to be studied properly and the structure of the passage has to be followed as best as is possible
  • It must be precise and accurate
  • Most if not all-important points of the passage must be reflected in the precis
  • Shorter words must be used
  • It should be a reflection of the passage with a clear introduction, details, and the conclusion line

Conclusion

Precis writing is a part of comprehension. It is a part of the reading and understanding exercise. Precis writing makes up a necessary segment.  Precis can also be an abstract of a thesis, novel, or long-form writing. Precis writing is the method or manner in which precis is written. It is included in the English language sections. Precis is the summary of a bigger content like a speech or essay. Precis writing must be practised to enhance writing skills.