Precis Writing Tips with 45 solved Exercises
Dear Aspirants,
Welcome
to Mentor for Bank Exams. As you all aware of that NICL AO mains exam
is going to be held in few days. The most important part of the Exam is
Descriptive Writing Exam which tests your writing skills. Here we have
collected and providing you PRECIS WRITING tips with 45 solved
model exercises in the PDF format. First read the tips that we have provided
below and then download the PDF at the end of the article.
What is a
Precis?
A precis is a summary.
Precis writing is an exercise in compression. A precis is the gist of a passage
expressed in as few words as possible. A precis should give all essential
points so that anyone reading it will be able to understand the idea expressed
in the original passage.
Note that precis writing
is different from paraphrasing. In a paraphrase you should give all the
details: you should not leave out any details. A paraphrase will be at least as
long and sometimes longer than the original. A precis, on the other hand, must
always be shorter than the original. It should express only the main theme that
too as briefly as possible.
How long
should a precis be?
There are no rigid rules
regarding the length of a precis. But as a general rule, it should not contain
more than a third of the total number of words in the original passage.
Uses of
precis writing
Most people read
carelessly and fail to fully comprehend the meaning of the passage. Precis
writing forces them to pay attention to what they read because no one can write
a summary of a passage unless they read it carefully. So summarizing teaches
one to read with concentration.
Precis writing also improves
your overall writing skills. It teaches you how to express your thoughts
clearly, concisely and effectively.You learn to choose your words carefully and
construct your sentences in a logical and concise manner.
Guide to a
Successful Precis:
1. Understand the
essential facts or dominating idea of the passage.
2. In your opening
sentence express what the passage tends to show.
3. With as few sentences
as possible enlarge on the essential shown in the opening sentence.
4. Summarize only what
the author says; do not add your own opinions.
5. As far as possible,
use your own words.
6. Ask whether the precis
is clear to one who has not seen the original.
METHOD:
“It will be well to
remember the object of precis writing: a brief and clear summary — or precis —
of what you have first carefully read. No words, phrases, clauses, or sentences
which are unessential to the thought of the selection, are considered. Every
unnecessary word is discarded until all that you have left is the thought, the
dominating idea, of what you have read. Then in your own words, give this
thought as briefly and clearly as possible. Your sentences must be carefully
constructed. Do not omit any essential articles, prepositions, or
conjunctions.”
First Reading:
1. Read every word slowly
and carefully until you clearly understand the sense of the passage.
2. Look up all unfamiliar
words, phrases, and allusions
3. Identify the
dominating idea, the essential thought, of the passage. Ask if this idea were
omitted, would the fundamental meaning of the passage be changed?
4. Determine what
emphasis and space to give the thought in each section; write a heading for
each section.
Second Reading:
1. Underscore with a
pencil the important facts containing the essential thoughts. This is a process
of differentiation between what is essential and what is not. Generally you
will omit examples, illustrations, conversations, and repetitions.
2. Reread your selections
to see that they are wise and adequate.
3. Determine if your
underscoring expresses the main ideas.
Final Reading:
Rapidly and intensely
reread the origin, dwelling on the important facts selected for a precis.
First Copy:
1. Close the
book/original.
2. Write a summary of the
thoughts as you remember them.
3. Compare with the
original and correct, asking:
a) Did you retain the
logical order and development of these thoughts?
b) Did you emphasize the
dominant thought or erroneously emphasize a minor thought?
c) Did you omit any
necessary facts? names? dates? places?
d) Is your precis clear
to one who has not seen the original?
e) Are your sentences
clear and well-constructed?
f) Did you use third
person and the past tense?
g) Did you punctuate and
spell correctly?
h) Did you make any
grammatical or rhetorical errors?
Final Copy:
1. Read your first copy
through carefully.
2. Condense wherever you
can, substituting single words for phrases and phrases for longer clauses.
3. Use only simple
figures of speech.
4. Clearly and concisely
express the essential points.
5. Reduce verbiage while
still making the point and retaining some of the flavor and spirit of the
original.
6. Be fair to the
sentiments expressed, even if you don't agree with them.
7. Rewrite neatly.
Thank You!!!
Regards Mentor’s for bank
exams!!!
