Essentials of Precis writing for CSS Exam in Pakistan 2021

Essentials of Precis writing for CSS Exam in Pakistan 2021

Essentials of Precis writing for CSS Exam in Pakistan 2021

The word précis writing is the French form of the English word précis which in the original Latin meant to cut short.

It is generally defined as a brief and clear statement in a connected and readable shape: The substance of a longer passage.

Precis is a new composition a re-expression of another man’s ideas. The capacity to make a précis varies in individuals and the greater the proficiency a person possesses the deeper is the impression he can create among the reading public.

Precis writing is regarded as an important part of every examination, public or official. And is regarded as a test of the general intelligence of a candidate.

Some important hints and instructions regarding precis writing

1. A precis should always be written in one’s own words. It should not be a patchwork made up of phrases and sentences taken from the original.
2. Do not leave the blanks to be filled in by the reader. All the matter that is relevant to the topic should be put down precisely but clearly.
3. The precis writer should never include his own views in the precis. He must work as an impartial reporter.
4. A precis should always be written in 3^rd person and indirect form.
5. As a rule, a precis should be written in the past tense. Bt if the extract describes some universal truth this rule may be ignored.
6. A precis should always be carefully paragraphed, each paragraph dealing with only one aspect of the subject. If needed the precis of each paragraph of the original may be given separately.
7. Every precis should retrieve a thorough revision. It should be carefully compared with the original to see that all the important points have been included.
8. The précis of a conversation or dialogue should always be expressed in the form of a narrative.
9. Read the given passage at least twice with a view to grasp its general purport and then ask yourself what is the passage about? The answer to this question will become the heading of your precis.
10. Read it again and underline everything that seems to be important or relevant.
11. Write down all the underlined points with the help of these points.

Note. It should be noted that the heading is not part of the precis itself. Iotis not counted in computing the number of words in the precis. Te heading therefore should never be referred to in the future.

Your precis should open with a clear statement as to what follows next.

A precis should not, as a rule, exceed one-third of the total length of the original. It may be much less if the original is a dialogue, as often it is. Sometimes, a definite limit is imposed and the student is asked to observe strictly the words limit prescribed. But clarity should on no account be sacrificed for brevity.

Ways of cutting down the number of words maybe indicated as follows.

 All adjectives except that have some special technical sense may be eliminated.

 Some adverbs may also be omitted

  One word substitution should be fully applied

 Unless conjunction is absolutely necessary it may be replaced with a semicolon.

 The objectives of precis writing

The objective of a precis is that anyone who has no time to go through the original stuff may, by reading it be put in possession of all its salient points. Thus in making a precis one should have in mind a reader, who has never seen the original and whose only opportunity of grasping its contents will be through the precis.

The essential requirement of a good precis

The matter of a good precis should leap to the eye. It gives the outline of a passage, the important threads of an argument, the gifts of a corresponding and so on, without any irrelevant matter.

It should be couched in clear and concise language, vague expressions are particularly avoided. In reading it one may not feel anything lacking in material style or unity. A good precis must possess the following essential qualities:

1            Select only the important points

The central idea only stands out. It requires the ability to shut out everything that for the moment is not relevant and to stick to the immediate task.

2            Conciseness

It is this characteristic that gives its name. This quality hardly needs emphasis. But conciseness or brevity should not be obtained at the experience of clearness.

3            Sequence

A precis must possess order it should present a clear and an unbroken sequence of events. The sequence of ideas of the original must be adhered to. If the order is lost everything is lost, and consequently the precis will be unintelligible and disjointed statement.

4            Clearness

This is another indispensable feature of a good precis. A confused way of expression will naturally produce an irritating confusion in the mind of a reader.

5            Coherence

Last of all a precis must possess continuity and must be an organic whole. There should be no abrupt transitions from one point to another. It should be a literacy piece of having unity and sequence.