April 8, 2023

The Précis (or Summary)

A summary or a précis is NOT a personal interpretation of a work or an expression of your opinion of the idea.

A précis is a clear, compact logical summary of a passage. It preserves only the essential or important ideas of the original. It is a kind of shorthand in your study of history.

April 8, 2023

Use of the Precis

This technique of writing can be used in several areas – e.g. 

Essay Preparation Note-Taking Document Based Questions Research Papers

April 8, 2023

Usage Examples

Newspaper headline

Opening paragraph of newspaper story, lecture, notes and lots more.

April 8, 2023

Requirements:

Concentration and alertness Sensitivity to word meanings and the

author's viewpoint. Ability to distinguish between major

and minor points. A sense of proportion and emphasis.

April 8, 2023

STEPS IN READING A PASSAGE FOR THE PRECIS.

Read the whole passage attentively. Begin to recognize the author's tone and viewpoint. Re-read the passage several times if necessary for

clear comprehension (understanding) of ideas. Note and disregard parts of the writer’s work that

are introductory. Underline key phrases, make notes in the margin. Observe the emphasis or approach used by the

author.

April 8, 2023

STEPS IN READING A PASSAGE FOR THE PRECIS.

Do not use the specific examples, figures of speech or quotations cited by the author in developing your précis.

When you are selecting ideas from a passage, ask yourself the following question:

If this idea were omitted, would the fundamental

meaning of the passage be changed?

April 8, 2023

Writing the Précis

Try to limit your précis to no more than 1/3 the length of the original passage.

Use clear, factual expressions, do not attempt to copy the style of the original source.

Do not introduce ideas of your own. Do not criticize or change the writer's ideas. THIS IS NOT THE FORUM FORTHAT!

April 8, 2023

GOOD BYE