The process of précis writing mainly involves four important steps: structuring, paraphrasing, elimination, and compression. These steps help the writer reduce a long passage into a shorter form while keeping the main ideas and the original meaning.
1. Structuring
Structuring in précis writing refers to the proper organisation of ideas in the summary so that they appear in a clear, logical, and coherent order. While writing a précis, the writer should arrange the important points in the same sequence as they appear in the original passage, so that the meaning and flow of ideas are preserved.
A well-structured précis usually has three basic parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction briefly presents the main idea of the passage. The body includes the important supporting ideas in a clear and connected way. The conclusion gives the final idea or result of the passage. Structuring helps the précis remain organised, easy to read, and faithful to the original text.
2. Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing means rewriting the ideas of the original passage in your own words without changing the meaning. The writer should understand the passage clearly and then express the ideas in simple words.
Example:
Original sentence:
Many people believe that regular physical exercise is essential for maintaining good health and preventing diseases.
Paraphrased sentence:
Many people think that exercising regularly is important for staying healthy and avoiding illnesses.
Here, the meaning remains the same, but the wording is different.
3. Elimination
Elimination means removing unnecessary details from the passage. Examples, repetitions, explanations, and minor details that are not essential to the main idea should be omitted.
Example:
Original:
Reading books is a very good habit. It improves knowledge, increases vocabulary, and develops imagination. Many people enjoy reading novels, magazines, newspapers, and comics in their free time.
After elimination:
Reading books is a good habit that improves knowledge, vocabulary, and imagination.
In this example, the list of reading materials (novels, magazines, newspapers, comics) is removed because it is not necessary for the main idea.
4. Compression
Compression means reducing the length of the passage while keeping the important ideas. The writer combines related ideas and expresses them in fewer words without losing the main meaning.
Example:
Original:
Students should learn to manage their time properly. If they manage their time well, they can complete their assignments on time, prepare for examinations, and also find time for relaxation.
Compressed:
Proper time management helps students complete assignments, prepare for exams, and relax.
Here, the same idea is expressed in a shorter and clearer form.
Thus, structuring, paraphrasing, elimination, and compression are the four main steps in précis writing. By following these steps carefully, a writer can create a clear, concise, and accurate summary of a longer passage.
THE PROCESS OF WRITING PRECIS – MCQ’S
WORKS CITED
Partridge, Eric. Precis Writing. Facsimile Publisher, 2015.
“Unit 14: Precis Writing.” eGyanKosh, Indira Gandhi National Open University, https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/14020/1/Unit-14.pdf
Dr Aswathy Aravindakshan is a teacher, bilingual writer and artist with over two decades of experience in teaching English language and literature. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of English at NSS College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Her blog, ashlit.in brings together academic resources, creative writing in Malayalam and English, and visual art. The platform features lecture notes, study materials, poems, reflections, short prose, and a curated collection of her paintings. Through this space, she seeks to foster learning, creativity, and meaningful engagement with literature and the arts.
Discover more from ashlit.in
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Comments on “THE PROCESS OF WRITING PRECIS”