Lecture -6

Precis writing

Course: English writing skillsSeptember 3rd week 2013

PRECIS WRITING (PRONUNCIATION PRAY-SEE) A Precis is also known as a summary.

A brief summary of a book, article,  speech, or other text.

It is not a personal point of view, it is just an objective summary of something.

A précis usually it is one-sixth the length of the original story. That is, it should have one page for every six pages in the original book or story.

In one sense a précis is similar to a book report.

D/F B/W PARAPHRASE/SUMMARY AND PRECIS

Paraphrase: Explaining the author’s argument, its reasoning and its sequence of ideas in own words. The purpose is not to prove yourself correct, but to explain all the facts and arguments involved in what you have read.

It does not matter whether you agree or disagree with the passage. Examples and illustrations might be included as the author has given. Paraphrase can be comparatively longer depending on author’s statement.

Summary: A summary restates only the author’s main ideas, omitting all the examples and evidence. The function of a summary is to represent the scope and emphasis of a relatively large amount of material in an efficient and concise form.

In case of the summary, examples and illustrations are omitted.

Précis : The précis is a type of summary that insists on an exact reproduction of the logic, organization, and emphasis of the original texts.

It is a miniature of the whole document.

CHARACTERISTICS - PRECIS WRITING The basic characteristics of an effective precis are 

1. conciseness2. clarity, 3. completeness, 4. unity, and 5. Coherence.

DO’S – PRECIS WRITING1. Write in the present tense when discussing the author’s

position (“John argues,”etc.) 2. Use past tense when relating evidence sustaining the

author’s argument (“Ranke’s works exhibited both a new ‘scientific’ approach, and a metaphysical perspective.)

3. Make sure to include the author and title of the work.

4. Be concise: a précis radically shortens the original text. If you are typing your précis, it should come to about two-single-spaced pages.

DONT’S - PRECIS WRITING1. Do not quote the author unless you are using a

specialized term that warrants quoting. You should be putting material into your own words.

2. Don't put your own opinions, ideas, or interpretations into the summary. The purpose of writing a précis is to accurately represent what the author claims, including the key evidence and structure of her or his argument. The purpose is not to provide a critique of the text.

IMPORTANCE – PRECIS WRITINGThe précis is valuable because

1. It forces to express a story or a thesis in one’s own words.

2. It provides with a concise review of the material read.

GOALS OF THE PRÉCIS  1

A Precis should

1. Compress and clarify a lengthy passage, article, or book, while retaining important concepts, key words, and important data.

2. Remove what is superfluous and retain the core essence of the work.

3. Give a brief description of the key terms.

GOALS OF THE PRÉCIS  2A Precis should

Give a brief description of methods an idea of the general approach used by the researchers.

State the purpose of the research or piece of writing (why was it important to conduct this research or write on this topic?)

When finished, the précis should clearly state the discussion, focus ,importance and lesson from the writing.

TIPS FOR WRITING A PRECIS11. Prepare a draft by taking notes while reading

especially when reading non-fiction.

2. When reading fiction, look for the plot structure: explanation, inciting moment, crisis, moment of final suspense, and ending. These events constitute a précis of a story.

3. Identify the conflict(s) in the story. Include only those things which develop and/or resolve the conflict.

TIPS FOR WRITING A PRECIS2

4. Avoid interjecting personal opinions, your favourite parts etc.

5. Do not use any examples not used in the original paper; do not add support or question the author’s arguments.

6. The précis is meant to be a summary; therefore keep it simple and short.

RULES FOR WRITING A PRECIS 11. Read the article many times most

carefully.2. Reduce the article to one-sixth of its original

length without omitting the essential argument.

3. The central rule: Do not copy a single sentence from the article! You may use key words and phrases only when

you are expressing ideas which are technically precise or when you feel comfortable using the writer's own words, i.e., you understand exactly he or she means, and there is really no better way to express the concept.

MID TERM SYLLABUS1. Introduction to EFFECTIVE

WRITING SKILLS

2. 7 C’s of business writing

3. Grammar & its correct usage

4. Harvard referencing system

5. Precis writing

ACTIVITY TIME

YOUR

TURN

INSTRUCTIONS1. It is just an activity NOT THE MIND TEST,

so relax.2. Please limit your jokes from personal attacks

to one another.3. Make least noise. It’s just an activity not the

NOISE MAKING COMPETITION.4. Follow the instructions seriously and

carefully.5. Follow the timings as

requested.

BALLOON TOSS Each team blows one balloon, then either draws a picture on it or write the group names, and

then throw the balloon and don’t let the balloon fall on the ground.

Team who is able to keep the balloon in the air for good 5 min will be the WINNER.

IMAGINATION Draw a picture of your choice on an A4 size sheet and colour.

One person may act as a leader. Please involve all the team members for their input.

Time Limit: 5 min ( No more no less)

BIGGER THE BETTER Each team must have just two boxes of paper

clips. Sit with your teams. Each team must create something "bigger

and better" using the paper clips. Allotted time: 7-10 min. At the end of the

time, each team will present its creation.

The one with the most creative structure wins.

BIGGER THE BETTER is a team-building activity that promotes

teamwork as well as communication. Assemble at least two teams. Give each team the same number of paper clips, between 50 and 100, and send them to different sides of the room. Each team must create something "bigger and better" using the paper clips in an allotted amount of time. At the end of the time, each team will present its creation. The one with the most creative structure wins.

Directions, Directions is played in groups of 4 to 6 players. The first person starts by saying and doing a small task. The next person repeats the first activity and then chooses another one, and so on. The players who can't remember an activity must sit out until the next game. This activity teaches students to follow directions, focus, and use listening and memory skills.

Yarn Conversation Game According to the Education World

website, cut pieces of yarn into different lengths so that each piece has a matching piece and each student receives a piece of yarn. Distribute the yarn randomly and have students find the other student who has a piece of yarn the same length as theirs. Upon finding the student with the matching yarn, they must tei the ends of yarns and whoever is the first will win.

1. Draw a picture and colour.

NEWSPAPER SHELTER: According to the California State Polytechnic

University Pomona website, divide students into teams of 8 to 12 people. Tell each group they are stranded on a desert island and must build a free-standing structure to protect the group from the sun. Supply each group with newspapers and masking tape. Give each group 20 minutes to plan. After time is up, each group has 20 minutes to build the structure but must not talk. This game promotes cooperation, communication, teamwork and compromise.

Prepare for the hunt by coming up with items found around the play area. For instance, if you want to play the game in an office, write down things people can find there. Use vague language, however, to make the game more difficult. If you want the team to find a stapler, write something like, "I keep things together whenever you press down on me." After you've created a few copies of this list, divide the group into teams. Give each a list and tell them that they have only three minutes to find all of the items. The team who correctly checks the most items off their list wins the game.

A scavenger hunt forces people to work together. It also reveals who has leadership abilities. The group has to think logically and creatively to decipher the clues and ultimately find the prize.