A précis (pronounced "pray-see") is a concise, clear, and coherent summary of a longer text. Its primary purpose is to present the essential points or argument of the original passage without loss of meaning, usually reduced to about one-third of its original length. It is always written in the summarizer's own words, maintaining an objective tone, and is accompanied by a suitable title.

Key Characteristics of a Good Précis:
● Conciseness: It is significantly shorter than the original.
● Clarity: It is easy to understand and free from ambiguity.
● Coherence: Ideas are logically connected and flow smoothly.
● Accuracy: It faithfully represents the original author's meaning and does not introduce new ideas.
● Objectivity: It is free from personal opinions or interpretations of the summarizer.
● Completeness: While concise, it covers all the essential points of the original.
● Originality: It is written entirely in the summarizer's own words.

Adhering to these rules is crucial for producing a high-quality précis:
1. Thorough Comprehension: Read the original passage carefully multiple times until you fully understand its central theme, supporting arguments, and the author's overall message. A superficial reading will lead to an inaccurate précis.
2. Identify the Core Idea and Key Points:
○ Determine the main argument or central idea of the passage.
○ Underline or note down only the essential facts, arguments, and conclusions. Disregard all non-essential elements.
3. Eliminate Superfluous Content: A précis is about extraction, not expansion. Systematically remove:
○ Examples, illustrations, and anecdotes.
○ Repetitions and redundant phrases.
○ Lengthy descriptions or elaborate details.
○ Rhetorical questions.
○ Direct speech (convert to indirect speech).

1. Draft in Your Own Words: This is a critical rule. Do not copy sentences or phrases verbatim from the original. Paraphrase every idea. Use synonyms and rephrase sentence structures to demonstrate your understanding and avoid plagiarism.
2. Maintain Objectivity: The précis must reflect the original author's viewpoint, not your own. Do not express personal opinions, criticisms, agreement, or disagreement with the author's ideas.
3. Ensure Coherence and Flow: The précis should read as a unified, coherent whole, not a collection of disconnected points. Use appropriate transition words (e.g., thus, therefore, however, moreover, in addition, consequently) to link ideas logically.

1. Adhere to Word Limit: The standard length for a précis is approximately one-third of the original passage's word count. If the original passage is 240 words, your précis should be around 80 words (±5 words is generally acceptable). Count your words carefully.
2. Write in the Third Person and Past Tense (Generally): Unless the original text is a set of instructions or a timeless truth, the précis is typically written in the third person and often in the past tense (as you are reporting on something that was written).
3. Provide a Suitable Title: A good title for a précis should be:
   ○ Short and concise.
   ○ Relevant: It must accurately reflect the main subject or theme of the original passage.
   ○ Catchy (optional): If appropriate, a slightly engaging title can be a bonus, but clarity and relevance are paramount.

Common Errors to Avoid in Précis Writing:
● Excessive Copying: Lifting sentences directly from the original.
● Misinterpretation: Failing to grasp the original author's true meaning.
● Adding Personal Opinions: Introducing your own thoughts, judgments, or criticisms.
● Omitting Key Information: Leaving out essential points that alter the original message.
● Including Minor Details: Cluttering the précis with non-essential examples or descriptions.
● Poor Structure: A précis that reads like a list of bullet points rather than a coherent paragraph.
● Grammatical and Spelling Errors: Undermining the clarity and credibility of your summary.
● Ignoring Word Limit: Writing a précis that is too long or too short.