WRITING SKILLS
TECHNICAL WRITING
PRECIS
WRITING
Precis writing is a
form of summarizing that involves condensing a longer text while retaining its
core ideas, key points, and overall meaning. The goal of Precis writing is to
create a concise and coherent summary that captures the essence of the original
text, making it more accessible to readers. Precis writing is commonly used in
academia, journalism, and various professional settings to distill complex or
lengthy documents into more manageable and digestible forms.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF PRECIS WRITING INCLUDE:
Conciseness: Precis should be
significantly shorter than the original text, typically reducing it to
one-third or even one-fourth of the original length.
Clarity: The summary should be
clear and easy to understand, presenting the main ideas in a straightforward
manner.
Accuracy: Precis should
accurately represent the original text's content, preserving its tone and
context.
Coherence: The summary should be
logically structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It should flow
smoothly and maintain the original text's logical progression.
Objective Tone: Precis writing should
maintain an objective and neutral tone, avoiding personal opinions or
interpretations.
No Additional
Information: Precis should not
introduce new ideas or information that is not present in the original text.
STEPS FOR WRITING A PRECIS:
Read Carefully: Read the original
text multiple times to gain a thorough understanding of its content, structure,
and main ideas.
Identify Key Points: Highlight or make
notes of the key points, main arguments, and supporting evidence in the text.
Determine the Structure: Identify the
structure of the original text, including the introduction, main body, and
conclusion.
Write the Precis: Begin writing the Precis
by summarizing the original text's main points and arguments, using your own
words. Be concise but ensure that the summary captures the essence of the text.
Review and Revise: After completing the Precis, review it to
ensure that it accurately represents the original text and meets the criteria
of conciseness, clarity, and coherence.
Precis writing is a valuable skill for
students, professionals, and anyone tasked with summarizing complex information
effectively. It allows for the efficient dissemination of important information
without overwhelming the reader with lengthy documents.
EXAMPLE
OF PRECIS WRITING
Original Text (Source: An Article on
Climate Change): Climate change is a
pressing global issue with far-reaching consequences. Rising greenhouse gas
emissions from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and
deforestation, have led to increased global temperatures. This phenomenon,
known as global warming, has resulted in the melting of polar ice caps, rising
sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events. Moreover, climate change
poses significant threats to biodiversity, as many species struggle to adapt to
changing conditions. It also affects agriculture, leading to food security
concerns. Urgent action is required to mitigate climate change by reducing
emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and implementing
sustainable land-use practices.
Precis:
Climate change, driven by human activities like fossil fuel burning and
deforestation, causes global warming, leading to ice cap melting, rising sea
levels, and extreme weather. It jeopardizes biodiversity, food security, and
necessitates swift measures: emissions reduction, renewable energy adoption,
and sustainable land use.
In
this Precis, the key points from the original text, such as the causes of
climate change, its consequences, and the urgency for action, are condensed
into a concise summary while maintaining the core message and structure of the
original text.
