HOW TO WRITE A PRÉCIS

HOW TO WRITE A PRÉCIS

WHAT IS A PRÉCIS?

A précis is a way of summarizing in which the tone, proportions, and meaning of the original text are maintained. A précis summarizes a reading that you have completed. The length of a précis can vary greatly; it can be 100-200 words or approximately one-fifth to one-sixth of the length of the original reading. Check with your professor for exact length specifications.

HOW TO WRITE A PRÉCIS

They are various steps that can be followed in order to write an effective précis. They are as follows:

• ⇒  Read the article or book multiple times.
• ⇒  Take notes on the key points of the reading and underline key sentences.
• ⇒  Compose an outline of the reading.
• ⇒  Using the outline and your notes, summarize each paragraph in the reading into one to two

  sentences.

• ⇒  Combine the sentences into a logical format and create your own paragraphs that mirror

  the work.

• ⇒  Review the précis and ensure that it has the same tone, proportions and meaning of the

  original text.

HOW TO WRITE A PRÉCIS

TIPS FOR AN EFFECTIVE PRÉCIS

• ⇒  Be sure to include the thesis or purpose of the reading.
• ⇒  Include the author, title of the reading and other relevant source information.
• ⇒  Be as concise as possible, but still include all important points.
• ⇒  Use your own words, but do not include your opinion.
• ⇒  Avoid using phrases like “this article states…”; instead cite the author or the authoring or- ganization.
• ⇒  Do not make an argument in the précis; only restate the author’s argument.
• ⇒  Revise and edit the précis to make it as clear and accurate as possible.