How to Write a Precis

Being able to write a precis is an essential skill for college students, as it allows them to effectively capture the main arguments and points of view within a text in just a few concise sentences.

Not only does this allow for quick summarizing of lengthy documents, but also supports improved concentration and focus when studying complex concepts or examining detailed works.

With effective use of this writing method, college students can become more organized with their studies and research processes while simultaneously increasing their comprehension skills overall.

In this academic writing guide, we’ll discuss what precis writing is, how it can be beneficial to students’ academic performance, and provide valuable tips on proper techniques when crafting a successful precis.

What is a precis?

A precis is a summary of a text. It includes the main ideas and arguments of the original work, without including any of the author’s personal opinion or interpretation. A precis should be written in your own words, and should be shorter than the original text.

Précises are often used to summarize long articles or chapters, so that they can be easily reviewed and understood.

When writing a precis, it is important to focus on the key points of the text, and to omit any irrelevant information. A precis should be clear and concise, and should give the reader a good overview of the original work.

How to write a precis

Outline of a precis.

A precis outline captures the main ideas of a text in a concise manner. It can be used to identify key arguments, theories, or events, and to track their development throughout the text.

When writing a precis outline, there are several steps to follow.

1. Read the text carefully and make sure you understand the author’s main points.
2. Identify the key arguments and supporting evidence.
3. Write a brief summary of each main point.
4. Organize the information into a logical order.
5. Edit your outline to make sure it is clear and logical.
6. Write your precis following your outline. Make sure to include all of the key information while still keeping your writing concise.

How to start a precis

There are several things you should keep in mind in order to make your summary as effective as possible. First, you will need to identify the main points of the original work.

Second, you will need to decide which details are necessary in order to convey those main points. Third, you will need to determine the most effective way to present the information.

And finally, you will need to edit your precis so that it is clear and concise.

Format of a precis

A precis should be formatted as follows:

Introduction:

In a precis, the first step is the introduction. The introduction should identify the text to be summarized and provide an overview of its main points. It should also establish the purpose of the precis and explain how it will be organized.

In addition, the introduction should briefly discuss the author’s qualifications and indicate whether the text is objective or subjective.

By including all of this information in the introduction, you will provide your reader with everything they need to know before delving into the details of your summary.

Body:

Brief summary of the author’s main argument.

The first step in writing a precis is to provide a brief summary of the author’s main argument. In doing so, it is important to focus on the central claim or thesis of the piece, as well as the evidence and reasoning that the author uses to support it.

This summary should be concise and objective, providing a clear overview of the author’s argument without editorial comment or interpretation.

By including a brief summary of the author’s main argument, a precis serves as an effective tool for both readers and writers, allowing for a better understanding of the work as a whole.

Author’s purpose for writing the piece.

In a precis, the second step is to summarize the author’s purpose for writing the piece.

This can be done by identifying the main idea of the text and then looking at how the author supports this idea. The main idea is usually stated in the introduction or conclusion of the text, so these are good places to start.

Once you have identified the main idea, look at the evidence that the author uses to support it. This will help you to understand why the author wrote the piece and what they were hoping to achieve.

Brief overview of the author’s evidence and reasoning.

The third step in writing a precis is to provide an overview of the author’s evidence and reasoning. This can be done by summarizing the main points of the article, identifying the author’s primary assertions, and outlining the evidence that is used to support those assertions.

When done effectively, this step will help readers to understand the author’s argument and to assess its strength. However, it is important to avoid simply repeating what the author has already said. Instead, focus on writing a great summary of the key ideas.

Short statement of the essay’s implications.

After you have summarized the main points of the essay, you will want to briefly discuss its implications.

• What are the consequences of the argument?
• What does it mean for the reader?
• What are the larger implications of the author’s claims?

By answering these questions, you can help to provide context for the essay and ensure that the reader understands its full significance. In addition, by discussing the implications of the essay, you can also help to show why the argument is important and why it should be given attention.

As a result, the fourth step in writing a precis is to provide a short statement of the essay’s implications.

Conclusion:

The conclusion of a precis should restate the main points of the precis in a concise manner. It is important to remember that the goal of a precis is to provide a summary of the original text, not to offer commentary or opinion.

As such, the conclusion should not introduce any new information, but simply serve as a way to tie everything together. By restating the main points of the precis, the conclusion can help to ensure that the reader understands the key takeaways from the original text. In addition, it can help to create a sense of closure and ensure that the precis ends on a strong note.

Style of a precis

1. It should not include any superfluous or irrelevant information.
2. A precis should be written in the third person and in the present tense.
3. It should use active voice whenever possible.
4. A precis should also be well-organized, with each point presented in a logical order.
5. A precis should be free of errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Proofreading

Proofreading a precis may seem like a daunting task, but there are a few simple tricks that can make the process easier.

First, it’s important to read the precis aloud. This will help to catch any errors in grammar or syntax that might otherwise be missed. Additionally, reading aloud will also help to ensure that the summary accurately captures the main points of the original text.

Another helpful tip is to break the precis down into smaller sections, proofreading each one separately. This will make it easier to spot any errors, and it will also help to prevent you from getting bogged down in the details.

Finally, it’s always a good idea to have someone else proofread your work. A fresh set of eyes can often catch errors that you might have missed. By following these simple tips, you can be sure that your precis is error-free and ready to submit.

Final Thoughts

A good precis should be brief, accurate, and active. It should capture the main points of the original text without introducing any bias or opinion.

If you need help writing a precis, you can contact our academic writing service for fast essay writing help. We have tutors ready to help with homework 24/7.

The language should be concise and clear, while still giving a full picture of what was discussed in the original text.

Additionally, active voice should be used when possible to make the precis more dynamic and engaging to readers.

Finally, it is important that the precis follow a logical structure with all points presented in a sensible order. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your precis is both informative and enjoyable for readers.