Precis & Letter Writing

Precis & Letter Writing Sample Key

1

Precis Writing

I

The Cambridge dictionary defines Attention span as the length of time that you can keep your thoughts and interest fixed on something. It is the time duration for which you can stay focused. After that you get uneasy, get bored or get overloaded. Observe oneself for about an hour and you will see that the attention span is on the decline.

You like it or not there are at least a dozen things that try to garner your attention at any point in time. The vibrating mobile in your pocket, the person walking along the corridor, the cacophony in the aisle, the looks of your charming classmate, the ticks and mannerisms of the lecturer all of these get you distracted in the class. Mobile phones are banned in campuses. Still we can find students texting messages in between lectures. Smart phones have increased the avenues of distraction. You sit by your laptop to get some work done and then you have the Messenger, the inquisitive pop up or the banner ad, the Facebook, the cricket ticker, the unsolicited email all trying to get your time share. Each one of us is part of somebodys market, a prospect to some marketer. Marketers are spending much of their time and money to learn more about the working of the mind, to understand how to get peoples attention, to manipulate the human mind and behavior to further their cause. All these are external distractions. Add to all these the myriad thought trains that each of us run in our minds and we can see that our attention span is bound to be low and it is only likely to plummet even further in the future.

These external stimulants acting over an extended period have conditioned us so much that even in their absence we are unable to stay focused. Can you remember the last class that you could stay focused throughout? When is the last time you have seen TV without changing the channel in half an hour? If you are a person who spends time on a personal computer, how often do you toggle between the various applications? You will have to - Check out who has come online What is happening in the news What the latest score is Send a quick MMS to your friend; all these while doing your work . We are all round the place, running in circles, doing this and that the whole day without making any headway on activities that need our focus and attention. The low attention span and loss of focus is one of the prime reasons for missed deadlines, unfinished projects and mediocre deliveries.

The first thing to get out of this quagmire is to be aware that this is happening to you and then take deliberate action. Small things done over the time could reverse this conditioning and help you increase your attention span that is vital for your long term progress.

Here are a few things that you can try out to stay focused on your important activities. You can choose to keep away from the electronic distracters like mobile phones, TV, radio for a short period of intense activity say for 30 minutes to one hour at a stretch. Once you sit through this period, allow yourself a break to cater to all the distracters to catch up and then again get into another bout of focused activity. Do all the messaging and phoning during that break period so that you have an uninterrupted slot for your attention deserving activity. Try to finish off one thing before you take up another activity. While working on a computer, if you do not require the internet connectivity for work, keep a specific time to browse and check emails rather than doing it continually. These are some generic possibilities. There would be specific ones that suit your situations. The most important thing is to be aware of the attention span reducing conditioning that we are subjected to and then take deliberate action to counter that.

Answer

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2

Low Attention Span Awareness and Counter Measures!

The amount of time that one can stay focused on an activity is called Attention Span. Uneasiness,

boredom and information overload are clear signals that depict your inability to concentrate and that

determines your low attention span.

There are a hazard number of things that distract one, any time of the day. Even when measures are

taken to curb few distractions they find their way in and encroach on our time. We are pitiful players in

a marketing field and subsequently become potential targets to help advance some marketers cause.

Our low attention span is not only a result of external distractions but also because of innumerable train

of thoughts that dominate our mind.

Our mind is conditioned to such an extent that we are slaves to these external stimulants even in their

absence. We are programmed where we act like machines with no set agenda but multitask to a level

that leaves us disengaged. As a result, we remain stagnant without making any progress and finally fail

to focus on activities that require our attention.

Awareness and a stringent action plan is the way forward that will enable you to increase your attention

span.

Depending on your situation and being aware of how low your attention span is, create your own

possibilities to counter this.

Observation Points

Apt Title

All key points are included with the exceptions of examples and illustrations.

Follow the topic sentence and the closing sentence in each paragraph.

Use of transition words like As a result, finally, subsequently add to sequence and sentence flow.

There is a clear Introduction, Body and Close.

The element of Paraphrasing is used to restate the authors idea and tone.

Note the use of words and phrases like depict, stringent, disengaged, hazard, curb encroach and train of

thought. Use of good vocabulary simple words add originality and creativity.

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3

II

How are you? Let me know something about you. Suppose you were asked this query by Kaif or Hrithik Roshan or by your favourite actor or actress, how would your answer be? I am sure that you would put your best foot forward to impress him or her. I am also sure that you would take pains to structure your answer in such a way that it impresses him or her. I am also sure that you would like to paint a very good picture of yourself and make sure that you would tell all the wonderful things you have done in your life.

What if the same question is asked by an interviewer? Will the answer differ? Are you essentially not trying to fulfill the same purpose? The answer would seemingly be yes but in fact the ground reality is the absolute opposite. In a formal scenario many of us are not able to do what we would do in a casual setup very easily. Why does that happen?

In a recent incident, I was giving a mock interview to a person who has got an IIM call letter for interview; I had the shock of my life. The candidate asked me what should I say to impress the interviewer? Is that a query to be asked? Whatever is impressive about oneself should be what needs to be mentioned. Is that not as simple as that? It is this quest for the most correct answer that leads to poor answers to this question. Just pose as if this is being asked by your most favourite film star and the answer will flow.

There seems to be a preconceived judgement about what is the answer that the interviewer is looking for. What is politically correct and what is not also seems to be more or less known to all the candidates. Therefore all answers are stereotyped and flow as if these were products of an assembly line. Why would there be stereotyped answers? There is no need. You can be as original as possible; the more the originality the more the appeal. Just consider the opposite side. Wont the interviewers be bored of the same answers? Yes they will be, for sure. So be original. It is a myth that there are correct answers to this question. It is in the presentation, boy, the presentation.

I also heard a very popular suggestion that the answer to why you want to get an IIM admission should not have the citation of money in it. It seems so ridiculous doesnt it? The whole world knows that the lure of big bucks bring people to prestigious institutes, barring a few. If that is the case, then why should it not happen that there is a mention of better career prospects in the answer? I understand that as a matter of principle mentors ask pupils not to mention money in any way. If the fact is the requirement of a better career, I see no sin in it and strongly believe that the answer should be that irrespective of whether the interviewer likes it or not.

The reluctance to embrace originality by the mentors leads us to think that that there may be some truth in the preconceived biases and if that is the case it is for the interviewers to correct the anomaly lest the exercise be a stage managed show rather than the quest for original talent.

Once this fruitless search for the right answer stops only then will poor answers cease to exist.

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4

Answer

Tell me about yourself

Answering a simple question as, Tell me something about you? was never a challenge when asked by a

certain favorite actor or actress. It is said that one would showcase themselves in the best light possible,

maintain a clear structure and include the most admirable things from their life.

The difference lies when the same question is posed by an interviewer. Unfortunately, one does not

carry through what they are able to accomplish in a casual set-up.

Candidates ask the wrong questions instead of focusing on impressive things about themselves.

Everyone believes that there is a standard right answer and this leads to stereotyped responses that

leave no room for originality. The key is to be different. Eventually, all of it boils down to the way you

present your answer.

It seems absurd that money should not be mentioned in an interview response. Though exercised as a

rule by the mentors, the fact is, if it requires to be mentioned for better career prospects then the

answer should certainly include that.

It is obvious that these preconceived biases are a result of mentors unwillingness to accept something

authentic. Therefore, it is the interviewers responsibility to alter this attitude and pave way for original

talent.

Observation Points

Apt Title

All key points are included with the exceptions of examples and illustrations.

Use of transition words like though, unfortunately, therefore, eventually add to sequence and sentence

flow.

There is a clear Introduction, Body and Close.

The element of Paraphrasing is used to restate the authors idea and tone.

Note the use of words and phrases like showcase, pose, absurd, authentic and pave way. Use of good

vocabulary simple words add originality and creativity.

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5

Letter Writing

I

Mr. Gupta applied a loan for 25 lakh but is eligible only for 20 lakh. Write a letter as a Bank Manager

informing him about his loan amount being declined in a polite manner.

Branch Manager

ABC Bank, Branch

City, Pin code

Date Standard format 18th October, 2014

Mr. Gupta,

Address

Dear Sir,

Sub: Loan Status

We want to acknowledge your long standing business with ABC Bank and we value your loyalty. Thank

you for approaching us with this loan request. We would like to inform you as per your current financial

standing you are entitled for 20 lakh only.

I would be happy to assist you if any concerns. Please do contact me for further clarification.

Look forward to your continued support.

Yours Sincerely

Signature

Observation Points

To be assertive but at the same time maintain politeness.

Customer centric- Customer needs to feel acknowledged and appreciated.

Thank the customer for approaching your bank rather than hopping to another bank.

Let the customer know that you will hear him out if any concerns as he will be concerned for the

amount sanctioned is less than his request.

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6

Close appropriately letting the customer know his business with your bank is valued.

II

Complaint letter to the bank manager about the irresponsibility of employees.

ABC

Address

18th October, 2014

Branch Manager

XYZ Bank, Branch

City, Pin code

Dear Sir,

Sub: Irresponsible Employee Behavior

Im ABC holding a savings account in your bank for the last 3 months. This is to bring to your attention

the behavior of certain employees. I have noticed their inefficiency in handling simple queries posed by

the customer and the delay in assistance. Moreover there is no definite turnaround time to address

concerns and bring closure to a specific problem. I was made to wait which seemed endless to just voice

out my concern, then, there was no clear explanation provided to my question and on top of that, the

customer service representative did not get back within the specified time line to update me with the

status. This problem has been pending for over a month now and I have repeated my problem to more

than 3 CSRs so far but to no avail.

I would appreciate if I do not have to go through the process of explaining my predicament and that

someone would call me and resolve this issue.

Waiting to hear from you at the earliest.

Yours Sincerely,

Signature

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7

Observation Points

Clear Subject Line

Mention how long you have been a customer with the bank and the type of account you hold. (Forms

part of introduction)

Note, you can also be specific about the problem. The sample is generalized.

Close with intent of an expected closure to the problem.

You may also express your disappointment with such poor customer service and edge towards closing

the account.

III

Letter to your sibling advising him/her to prepare for a competitive exam.

Your address

18th October, 2014

Dear ABC,

Ive been meaning to write to you for some time now. Hope you are doing well. I wanted to take the

time and share with you the advantage that I have over others when it comes to clearing competitive

exams.

Initially, I did not give much attention to these competitive exams however I realize that the time I have

spent just preparing for them has proven beneficial. To begin with, I am more confident to approach

these exams; secondly, I am aware of certain strategies and quick fix steps to complete the questions

well within the allotted time. Thirdly, it has given me more clarity in choosing my career.

I realize to get through any company the first step is to clear the aptitude round and then to be able to

speak confidently and with substance to ensure I ace GD and the final interview round. Taking time to

prepare has been the smartest thing I did as now I can see the fruit of my labor.

So, wanted to share that with you and encourage you to take time to do just that. With the steady

competition, the only way you can make a difference is to be prepared; be prepared to not only know

what to say and do but also how to achieve that.

I wish you all the best and do call or write to me if you need anything at all.

With lots of Love

XYZ

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8

Observation Points

Keep it casual. The introduction can relate to the last communication you had with your sibling

Include whats in it for him/her

Personalized experience is more convincing.

Close with wanting to hear from him/her and that you are there to continue to guide and assist in any

way possible. You may also include that you would shard books etc needed for preparation.

Informal customary close

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Precis & Letter Writing

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