Precis Writing: How to Summarize Complex Ideas in Simple Terms

While many students will not know the term, precis is important in academic writing, research studies, and the composition of scientific reports. The word “precis” comes from French, which translates as precise or to the point. College professors tend to ask for it to evaluate students’ writing skills and ability to write concise summaries. Let’s continue learning about the evaluation criteria.

By completing this article, you will learn how to write a precis and master the following aspects:

• The purpose of a precise writing.
• Explanation of rhetorical precis.
• Key elements of a precis and steps to composing a perfect precis.
• Formatting rules.
• A precise writing example.

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What is a précis?

Precis represents a short synopsis of another written piece, like a book or a scholarly article. The purpose is to summarize the principal ideas without turning them into a critical analysis. Still, you must provide your target audience with the summary of specific ideas from the original piece with the help of your précis writing, simply making it clearer and using brevity as the driving force.

When composing a precis, you must summarize the author´s argumentation instead of craft an article summary of the original piece. The trick is to use the same level of precision that you implement when writing an essay. A precis should represent a logical sequence where you convey each vital point in a logical flow of ideas. Avoid including irrelevant details or information from external sources, as it´s not the purpose here. Remember that precis writing is always composed in the third person, making explaining important details more objectively and less biased easier.

Summary vs Précis

Although composing a precis might remind you of a summary, it is not the same. A summary always aims to explain the main points of a given content in bullet-like points. It also provides a general idea and description of the work.

A precis has a different function because you should go beyond the generalization of the article in your own words. The key difference is that you must write about a particular narration part as you summarize. It can be a book chapter or a play in a dramatic scene. This way, you must focus on that segment’s specifics and outline all the important information.

Rhetorical Précis Structure Parts

When asked to write a rhetorical precis, students usually face certain difficulties. In this case, the structure is usually shorter and must be narrowed down to a single paragraph. One should not mix up a rhetorical precis with a rhetorical analysis writing. The main purpose here is to explain the main idea presented by the author and provide a brief analysis of how the main arguments have been presented. It must be done in no more than four sentences.

A rhetorical precis writing process must include the following elements:

• Bibliographical information that includes the author´s name, the title of the original piece, and the publication date.
• The main statement explains the author´s methodology as you summarize things in your own words.
• Details regarding how the author has developed their main argument.
• Explanation of how the reader´s attention has been captured.

Key Elements of a Précis

Start writing a precis only after studying the original content. Remember that your sentences should be concise without being overly complex. Think about eliminating unnecessary details by proofreading your precis more than once. Don’t start with the word count when writing an essay, but simply ensure that certain ideas’ core information is presented correctly.

Keep these guidelines in mind when writing:

• A title must describe the content properly.
• A precis is always written in the third person.
• The sentences have a natural flow and explain the author´s ideas clearly and logically.
• A precis is mostly written in the present tense. Still, the past tense is more appropriate when discussing past or historical events.
• A precis must be 1/3 or 1/4 of the original content presented for analysis.
• Your arguments, in your own words, must be unbiased, objective, and logical.
• Proofread things twice to eliminate grammar and spelling mistakes.

6 Steps for Precise Writing

Now that we have explored the theoretical part, it’s time to learn how to write a precis correctly by focusing on the practical steps. Unless you have been provided with precise instructions, the following six steps should suffice:

Step 1: Read the Original Text

Sometimes, a college professor will provide you with a piece you must read, but in most cases, you are free to choose the original writing. If you have the freedom to find something to write about, choose something that motivates and inspires you. It will help you complete the work for your precis much faster. It will also be much easier to research things if you write about something compelling compared to a subject you know less about.

As you explore and look through the original piece, remember to take lots of notes and write down precise words. The quotes that stand out usually represent´ the author´s key points and ideas. It should help you analyze things and develop the key paraphrasing elements.

Step 2: Start Brainstorming Ideas

Brainstorming is the creative part of coming up with a strong précis paper. This is where you can write down all that comes to mind and use your notes and quotes that you have previously written down. Once your mind is free to brainstorm and think, the key is to outline your ideas and pick the most important based on your reading. It is even possible to write a short essay using your notes and important points you have discovered.

The most important is to develop a clear statement as you look through ideas. Some students find using paper notes to create a mind map helpful. Others find it helpful to reflect and write down several thesis statements. Even if some important points you come up with don’t fit the precis format, you can simply eliminate them or use different wording.

Step 3: Make an Outline

Now it´s time to combine your research work with the quotes and facts you collected from the original author´s work. Ensure that your outline structure is precise and reflects only the facts the author has mentioned. These points that you outline must be conveyed to the target audience.

Step 4: Re-read the Original Text

Returning to the original piece to re-read and check whether you have all the vital information and facts already mentioned is crucial. Check for supporting arguments in case you need any. If the original text is too complex for comprehension, you may consider turning to a trained expert who can write a literature review for you without breaking the bank. Ensure that all the points you have outlined for your precis are supported by at least one piece of evidence.

Step 5: Write a précis

The next step will depend on whether you have been given précis assignment guidelines or must remain within the classic structure. If you have a grading rubric, check the rules twice before you start. All of the adjustments must be made during the outline stage. As you write, these bits must be addressed:

• Ensure that every basic idea that you mention is unbiased and objective.
• Keep the personal opinion out.
• Come to your conclusion based on facts, all the details, and evidence in the original passage.

Helpful Tip: Check the formatting section below before composing your precis!

Step 6: Proofread and Edit

Once done with the previous steps, you must edit and proofread your precis. While the editing part is mostly clear to an average student, proofreading stands for reviewing your text and checking for grammar and spelling mistakes, among other things. Many students tend to use grammar and spell checkers, especially if English is not their native language. It´s also possible to consider showing your work to a trusted friend who may check it for you. You may consider PaperOwl writing service for text editing and composition work when all else fails. After all, it never hurts to have an expert have a look at your freshly composed precis assignment!

Precis Format

While the precis formatting rules may differ between diverse subjects, there are universal bits that will work in most academic scenarios. The structure may appear somewhat limited, yet it´s more of an advantage than a shortcoming. You won´t have to wander around looking for different options and can narrow things down more easily and follow the formatting.

In most precis assignments, you will encounter a standard essay format that includes an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion. The practical applicability will depend on the provided instructions and the length of the original piece. Composing a precis based on a short story will differ from a precis related to a lengthy novel. If you find it hard to start, you can make an essay order and receive assistance from academic research professionals. Whether it´s inspiration or assignment writing, help is out there.

Helpful tip: Always ask your academic advisor if something is unclear before diving into specifics. They might provide you with a precis layout or a helpful writing template.

Without a doubt, if the text is several pages long, your precis must be longer than four sentences. Here is the typical format for a four-sentence precis:

Introductory sentence: the first sentence should have the author’s name and title of an article or book. You may include rhetorical parts and outline the author´s purpose using comprehensible words.

Body sentences: Here is where you summarize the author´s purpose by explaining every vital point clearly made by the author. Think about how the claims have been made. You may implement an “in order” phrase to develop the sentence. If you are limited to only four sentences, the third should discuss the audience and the elements that capture the reader’s attention. Think and write about how the connection with the readers has been established.

Conclusion: Start with a restatement of the author’s thesis, like in a classic essay structure. Provide brief and final comments about the main arguments if you find them helpful.

Do’s and Dont’s

Narrowing things down after knowing the necessary steps is never easy, which is why you should focus on these tips and tricks that help you keep your precis optimized.

Do’s

• Keep the structure concise by focusing on facts supported by evidence.
• Provide the author´s background information, including name, content title, and publishing date.
• Make the flow of your concise summary passage feel natural and within the same tone.
• Your writing should become a short representation of the original text. Readers must have a good idea of what the original passage is about.

Dont’s

• Don’t add your opinion and criticism to your precis.
• Avoid posing any questions.
• Do not exceed the volume of the original passage.
• A precis is NOT a summary of the prior research.
• Avoid assumptions and provide only the facts.
• Your passage interpretation is not necessary.
• Do not focus on a single idea unless the original passage reflects that.
• Use quotes wisely with quotation marks, and do not overdo that.

Example

Here is an example of a typical four-sentence precis that uses all of the rules and formatting conventions mentioned above:

In Martin Luther King´s ‘I Have a Dream´ speech (1963), the author stresses that all Americans should be given equal rights regardless of their skin color and/or heritage. He distributes his points by using powerful anecdotes and metaphors that clearly portray the inequality in the United States at the given time period. He also repeats the signature words “I have a dream” as a goal that all people must strive for and aims to persuade his audiences that the rules enforcing segregation are wrong and lead to conflicts in our society. King’s tone is earnest and sincere as he addresses the usual American people and government officials.

Brevity With Brilliance

The main purpose of precis writing is to show whether you can focus on the main points of a subject or a prompt. Creating a unique precis is difficult, yet the trick here is to find the precise passage meaning and express your ideas and thoughts clearly in simple words. Focus on essential information and proofread it aloud to evaluate how it sounds. While there are many practices for creating a unique precis, the key is to avoid critical analysis but offer a summary of the principal ideas and author’s thesis statement in a written piece.