Top 10 Rules for Good Precis Writing
Table of Contents
- 1 Rules for Good Precis Writing
- 1.1 1. Decide Theme of the Passage
- 1.2 2. No Reproduction of Important Sentences
- 1.3 3. Have Brevity and Clarity
- 1.4 4. Reflects the Intelligence of the Precis-writer
- 1.5 5. Use Own Language
- 1.6 6. Avoid Direct Speech and Use Indirect Speech
- 1.7 7. Inclusion of Statistical Information
- 1.8 8. Observe Proportion
- 1.9 9. No Comments but Conclusion
- 1.10 10. One third of Original Passage
Rules for Good Precis Writing
1. Decide Theme of the Passage
The main theme of the passage should be find out through careful reading and then main points and ordinary points are find out for giving importance. These things are essential for brief and clear presentation of precis.
2. No Reproduction of Important Sentences
The sentences of original passage cannot be used for precis-writing. Precis-writing is an art of remodeling of sentences without affecting main theme of the original passage.
3. Have Brevity and Clarity
Brevity is the soul of precis-writing. But, at the same time, clarity should not be given up. Mere deletion or addition of few words of original passage cannot be a precis-writing. Moreover, brevity should not create any ambiguous in the minds of the reader.
4. Reflects the Intelligence of the Precis-writer
The style of language and words used in the precis-writing indicate the intelligence of the precis writer. In other words, the precis-writing preserved the spirit of the original passage with different words and sentences.
5. Use Own Language
The precis-writer should use his/her own language for precis-writing. The writer should not retain any significant phrases or technical terms of the original passage. It means that the writer should use his/her own sentences for precis-writing.
6. Avoid Direct Speech and Use Indirect Speech
The precis-writing is presented in third person point of view. The text of the original passage is presented in direct speech. Now, it is the duty of the precis-writer that he/she should present in indirect speech.
7. Inclusion of Statistical Information
If statistical information are included in the original passage, they can be used in the precis-writing for maintaining quality. If statistical information are excluded, it affects very purpose of precis-writing and convey different meaning.
8. Observe Proportion
Original passage is divided into many parts. Each part is dealt with according to importance but not according to length. In this way, objectives of precis-writing are achieved.
9. No Comments but Conclusion
The precis-writer need not give any comments over the original passage but should give conclusion. It means that the precis-writer need not evaluate the mind of the author but interpret the original passage in a meaningful way.
10. One third of Original Passage
It is the general practice that the length of precis-writing should be one third of original passage. If so, reader can get full information and do his/her job very effectively.
