The Précis (or Summary)

 A summary or a précis is NOT a personal

interpretation of a work or an expression
of your opinion of the idea.
 A précis is a clear, compact logical
summary of a passage. It preserves only
the essential or important ideas of the
original. It is a kind of shorthand in your
study of history.
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Use of the Precis
 This technique of writing can be used
in several areas – e.g.

 Essay Preparation
Note-Taking
Document Based Questions
Research Papers
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Usage Examples
 Newspaper headline

 Opening paragraph of
newspaper story, lecture,
notes and lots more.
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Requirements:

 Concentration and alertness

 Sensitivity to word meanings and the
author's viewpoint.
 Ability to distinguish between major
and minor points.
 A sense of proportion and emphasis.

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STEPS IN READING A PASSAGE FOR THE
PRECIS.

 Read the whole passage attentively.

 Begin to recognize the author's tone and viewpoint.
 Re-read the passage several times if necessary for
clear comprehension (understanding) of ideas.
 Note and disregard parts of the writer’s work that
are introductory.
 Underline key phrases, make notes in the margin.
 Observe the emphasis or approach used by the
author.

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STEPS IN READING A PASSAGE FOR
THE PRECIS.
 Do not use the specific examples, figures of
speech or quotations cited by the author
in developing your précis.
 When you are selecting ideas from a passage,
ask yourself the following question:

If this idea were omitted, would the

fundamental
meaning of the passage be changed?

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Writing the Précis

 Try to limit your précis to no more than

1/3 the length of the original passage.
 Use clear, factual expressions, do not
attempt to copy the style of the original
source.
 Do not introduce ideas of your own. Do
not criticize or change the writer's ideas.
THIS IS NOT THE FORUM FORTHAT!
February 18, 2014
 GOOD BYE

February 18, 2014