How to Write a Precis

5. Put the original away and write out the first rough draft of the précis. After having read the passage carefully, having supplied a title and sub-headings, and having revised the skeleton plan, you are now in a position to write out a rough draft of the précis. Remember that on no account should the original be consulted at this stage. In the actual writing of the précis you should depend entirely upon your memory, with the skeleton plan to help you. You should overcome the temptation of looking at the original, for then and then alone the précis can be written in your own words, otherwise it will imperil your independence of style and preciseness. A précis must always be written in your own words and not in those of the original. Some students cull certain expressions and phrases from the original and join them with conjunctions and think that they have done what the examiner wants; but they get no marks for such an answer. They must know that a composition which is a hotchpotch of outstanding expressions, phrases, clauses taken from the original is not a précis. Précis in a new composition – a re-expression of another man’s ideas. Arrange your précis in paragraphs. Write the rough draft of the précis on the rough side of the answer book. 6. Count the words in the original and those in your précis. Your précis should, in no case, exceed one-third of the length of the original; but if the examiner has instructed you to keep to a certain limit, you must carry out his instructions. If your précis is longer than that limit, you should decide how many more words you should cut down. Condense again some of your sentences without bringing about any change in the sense of the original passage. Here you can employ several devices, which depend entirely on your mastery of the English language and your ability to express and curtail than on any given set of rules. a. You may cut down the number of words by using one word for several words; b. You may change a clause into a phrase; c. You may avoid un-necessary words and expressions; d. You may see that no idea is expressed in more than one way. Un-necessary repetition of expressions and ideas must be avoided. e. If the original contains illustrations, figures and quotations, they should not appear in the précis. f. You may replace two negative expressions by one positive. Remember that the words of the title are not to be counted in the number of words to be used in making a précis.