Precis is a French word .

Its translation in English is 'Precise' It is the best

method of giving only the essence of a given lengthy passage. The object

of precis writing is to test the ability of a candidate to understand a given

passage and then write it in concise its essence in chaste, clear and effective

style. The candidate must be competent to leave all the unnecessary

sentences or material which are not relevant to be recalled in the passage.

“Generally in precis writing we have to find out the central idea or

central theme of the paragraph. But we do not have to change the

chronology of the sentence and thoughts of mentioned paragraph.

We have to precis the mentioned paragraph in 1/3 or in 1/5 words”.

We have heard some FAQ for competitive exams like SSC regarding precis
writing like
(1) Is precis writing tough?
(2) How can we prepare?
(3) How can we write?
(4) Are there any rules?

(6) Is there any easy method or not?

How to write precis?

1. First of all give the title of mentioned paragraph. Title should be the echo of
mentioned paragraph. Innovative title or question mark in title gives good
benefit.
Example…Education System..Is it in right way?

2. Don’t give title is this form….Title:- Education System..Is it in right

way? Means don’t give title of title.
But do like this:- Education System..Is it in right way?

How to write précis in competitive exams like SSC ?

Now interesting point is that the question paper asks us do precis of given
paragraph in 1/3 or 1/5.

Question is that the 1/3 or 1/5 of whose?

Generally we understand that we have to do 1/3 or 1/5 of sentences.

If your answer is that then you are totally wrong.

How to write precis?

In exam we have seen the paragraph and we try to do 1/3 or 1/5 of the
sentences.
Really it is a “Dangerous” belief…totally wrong belief.

In real we have to do the 1/3 or 1/5 of the words, not of the sentences.

How ?…Let’s see….

How to write precis?

1. First of all count the words of mentioned paragraph.
2. For example there are 150 words in the paragraph. If we have to do 1/3
then we have to complete the precis in approx 50 words.
3. Now our precis must be around in 50 words.
4. Friends, remember we have to calculate words for precis….not
sentences.

Important rules for step by step precis writing

1. Calculate words…not sentences.

2. Remove proverb, sentences which are written in inverted comas, quotes,
sayings from the paragraph.
3. Also remove the words which are mentioned in comas..like
Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati..instead of it when we do precis, we have to
write..rivers.
4. Read mentioned paragraph minimum 3 times.
5. Identify the words or thoughts which are repeated in paragraph.
6. Find out the central idea of the paragraph through repeat words,

Master key of precis writing

1. Master key of the precis writing is just change the word and remove the
words.
2. Don’t write same to same words in answer but write synonym of the
mentioned words.

Example.

Our country is very different than other countries. There are many religions
like hindu, muslim, shikh parsis are in our country. There is a social diversity
in our country. In spite of they are living as a family.

The precis of above paragraph is

The unity of Indians is an ideal for everyone.

* See, We have removed hindu, muslim, shikh parsis and instead of it we

have written Indian.

Important rules for step by step precis writing

1. just use synonym of the words.
2. While doing precis writing remember that don’t break the continuity of the
paragraph.

3.Remember:- Always do precis writing in third person singular or plural.

Example:
When I went in function, I really dame pleased. In function we have done the
give and take of thoughts. Every dignitary have shared their views in function.
When they shared their thoughts, I have felt my limitation.
When Pappu will do precis of above mentioned paragraph..He will write..
In the event during the discussion I have understood my limitation.

Pappu, don’t do like this.

We have to write…

The author..instead of I,,and this is third person singular..got it ?

Conclusion
Friends, in SSC when we go for precis writing, attend this question in last.
First attend other question and last do it.
If you remember these points, we firmly say that you can get maximum
marks in competitive exams like SSC CGL & CHSL
Some general considerations:
1. Learn to shorten your words, text of written work, useful writing tips,
essential thoughts, ideas or fact.
2. It is generally accepted that a précis should be a third of the passage
given. If the original passage has 300 words, the précis should not be
more than 110 words in length.
3. A précis should be in the language of the précis-writer. The original
passage is not to be reduced in length by just removing unimportant or
unnecessary sentences and by reproducing the rest as the précis. It
should be a brief gist or summary of the passage expressed in the writer’s
own words.
4. A précis should be full i.e. it should contain all the essential thoughts,
ideas or fact in the original passage. It should not contain repetitions or
observations that are not relevant to the main theme of the original.
 5. A précis is always written in Reported Speech. The passage given may be
a speech made by a person in Direct Speech, but the précis is to be in
Reported Speech or the Third Person or in the Past tense.
Techniques of Precis – Writing
There three kinds of work to be done in producing a clear and successful
precis. They are (1) Reading, (2) Writing and (3) Revision.
1. Reading
Read the passage carefully
If one reading is not enough to give you a general idea of its meaning, then
read it second time. As you read, find out the subject or the theme of the
passage and what is said about the subject.
It will be a good thing if you find out the lead or the topic sentence. The lead
sentence will help you to see the subject clearly. It will also help you to think of
a title.
Now comes the process of selection. The writer of the précis writing passages
has to decide what facts or ideas in the passage are essential and what are of
secondary or no importance. Taking the main ideas of the passages as your
point of reference, it should not be too difficult to write out the important points
in the original in a corner of your writing work sheet.
2. Writing
You should first prepare a draft of the précis, keeping in mind, the need to
reduce the original to one-third its length. The main thoughts expressed in the
passage, the ideas it contains, the opinions presented and the conclusion
arrived at should figure in the rough draft. Unimportant things like the names
of people and places and dates should not figure in it.
It may so happen that your first draft is too long or that it sounds rather jerky.
Shorten it if necessary and write out a careful second draft. Sometimes you
may need to work out three or even four drafts, but with reasonable care and
concentration, you should normally succeed in producing good précis writing
by the second draft.
3. Revision

When you have made your second (or final) draft, carefully revise it before

writing out the fair copy. Look for any mistakes or slips in grammar or spelling

and correct them. Don’t forget to give your précis a title.

10 Tricks to follow while writing a Precise

1. Use Active Voice

When a sentence includes be or any other copulative verb, such as is or are,
recast the sentence to omit the verb.
Before: “The meeting was seen by us as a ploy to delay the project.”
After: “We saw the meeting as a ploy to delay the project.”

2. Avoid Vague Nouns

Phrases formed around general nouns such as aspect, degree,
and situation clutter sentences.
Before: “She is an expert in the area of international relations.”
After: “She is an expert in international relations.”

3. Use Words, Not Their Definitions

Replace explanatory phrases with a single word that encapsulates that
explanation.
Before: “The crops also needed to be marketable so that families would be
able to sell any yields that exceeded what they personally required.”
After: “The crops also needed to be marketable so that families would be able
to sell any surplus.”

4. Avoid Noun Strings

Reorganize sentences to eliminate series of nouns used as adjectives.
Before: “The lack of a secure transfer may hamper computer security incident
response efforts.”
After: “The lack of a secure transfer may hamper responses to computer-
security incidents .”

5. Convert Nouns to Verbs

When a sentence includes a noun ending in -tion, change the noun to a verb
to simplify the sentence.
Before: “They will collaborate in the creation of new guidelines.”
After: “They will collaborate to create new guidelines.”

6. Reduce Verb Phrases to Simple Verbs

Identify the verb buried in a verb phrase and omit the rest of the phrase.
Before: “The results are suggestive of the fact that tampering has occurred.”
After: “The results suggest that tampering has occurred.”
7. Replace Complex Words with Simple Ones
Choose simpler synonyms for multi-syllabic words.
Before: “The department will disseminate the forms soon.”
After: “The department will pass out the forms soon.”

8. Avoid Expletives
Don’t start sentences with “There is,” “There are,” or “It is.”
Before: “There are many factors in the product’s failure.”
After: “Many factors contributed to the product’s failure.”

9. Eliminate Prepositional Phrases

Replace “(noun1) of the (noun2)” phrasing with “(noun2)’s (noun1)” phrasing.
Before: “The decision of the committee is final.”
After: “The committee’s decision is final.”

10. Reduce Wordy Phrases to Single Words

Replace phrases that signal a transition with simple conjunctions, verbs, or
other linking words.
Before: Due to the fact that the project is behind schedule, today’s meeting
has been postponed.

After: Because the project is behind schedule, today’s meeting has been

postponed.

PRECIS vs SUMMARY

Precis is different from a summary. A summary can be written in paragraphs. But

the precis should be only in one paragraph. If there are two ideas, there can be two

paragraphs. But usually, there is only one idea in the passage given for candidates

appearing for the examinations for SSC/Banks/U P.S.C. examinations etc.

PLEASE TAKE CARE !!

* The candidate must avoid circumlocution, tautology repetition and abstract ideas. The
above faults occur if the candidate does not possess a good command in the language.
Verbosity should be avoided. The precis should not be loose or jerky.

* Sometimes the candidates are baffled when the passage containing future and
present tenses are given. First, the events given in the present tense must be precised
and then the future tense passage. It is possible only by practice .
* The candidate must distinguish between matter of importance and the subsidiary . The
subject matter of importance alone must be entered into the precis. The candidate may
make a passing note on the subsidiary idea.

* Uniformity of the precis must be maintained. Don't cut out sentences from the original
passage. Use synonyms for certain words in the passage. The words given in the
original passage should not be used. They must be judiciously introduced.

For example, if there is a word 'reciprocal' it may be replaced by the word 'mutual' or
any other word with the contextual meaning. But if there are words like 'Education'
'democracy' they cannot be replaced.

* The candidate must give necessarily a title to the precis. It is not necessary that the
title must be very small A well-known author writes that the title can be a 'precis' of
the precis.

* You should not allow your personal prejudices to prevail upon the original idea. Be
linked to the original in ideas, in tone and the importance attached.

*Do not use interrogative sentences in your precis.

*If the given passage contains conversation or speech, they should be written in indirect

speech. As a rule past tense must be used. But if the matter relates to the

present problems, there can be nothing wrong in using in the present tense.

Write a precis of the following passage in about a third of its length.

The first thing necessary for the pleasure of reading is that people should acquire the

habit of reading while on the move. This is becoming more and more difficult. Before I

was aware of things in the world, the post had already

begun to make adverse changes to reading by consuming a vast

amount of time in correspondence

that was unnecessary, trivial, or irksome. Railways have altered people's habits by

making them move about much more But railways have this compensating advantage

that , although the people go far away from home a long railway journey

affords a First rate opportunity for reading. They were not therefore, an unmixed

disadvantage. But now things are changing. The motor car is altogether unfavourable

for reading. People consume more time in moving about than they did earlier, and

they consume it under conditions which, even for people with good eyes, might make

reading difficult , if not impossible. The telephone is a deadly disadvantage; it

mincestime into fragments and preys that spirit. Wireless, with all

delights is now being added as a distraction to divert people from time that might be

given to pleasure of reading. The cinematograph is another change in

thesame direction, and flying is becoming more and more common. All these

things must make it more difficult for successive generations to acquire the habit of

reading and, if the habit be acquired, to maintain it. Even before all these changes

it was not easy to maintain the habit, but it could be done. There is a story of Auberon

Herbert, I do not know whether it is true or not, but I do not mind connecting it with

his name, because it is a story I think entirely to his credit , and which 1always recall

with a sense of satisfaction and encouragement. He was staying in

his country home, and some visitors

were announced He received them with perfect good manners, and

after a cordial welcome, he said to them, "And now what wpuld you like to do? We are

reading . We need more and more of the spirit.

A further disadvantage to reading is the great development of

picture papers. Picture papers are tending to divert people not only from reading, but

from thought. We were once used to see people get into a railway

carriage and settle down to a book,

they now come with awful picture papers and look at the pictures with more or less

transient adjustment, one after the other, and so pass the time.

If these recent developments are endangering the pleasure

of reading as undoubtedly they are by making it more and more

difficult to acquire the habit, let me suggest one thing which may be a help to maintain

it. It is this; plan reading before hand;

have always in mind three or four books which you have decided you wish to read; have

the books at hand so that when the

opportunity comes for reading the choice may be readily made; Otherwise, you may be

staying in a country house and something, not reading, may have been planned for the

afternoon ; stormy weather causes the plan to be cancelled; two or three

hours are thrown into your lap and you may use this unlooked of

opportunity to read With such an opportunity we find ourselves in the middle of a good

library and yet , if we have not already thought for ourselves and determined on some

book which we wish to read, when the opportunity comes the greater

part of time may be lost in just trying to make a choice.

PRECIS

THE DETERIORATION OF THE HABIT OF READING BY MODERN

INVENTIONS
The cultivation of the habit of reading though a necessary activity for the young has

been made difficult by modern inventions such as the post through

which one makes unnecessary correspondence, the motor car in which it is

impossible to read, the wireless which distracts the attention of the

people , cinematography and flying which are extensively used by the people. Though

the railways consume much time, they offer an opportunity to read a lot. But all these

discoveries will make reading more difficult in future. Even before

they were invented, it was not fully possible to maintain the habit of reading , but

reading is not impossible. It is better to follow Auberon Herbett who had made

reading a part of entertainment. The modern picture papers which completely

divert one's attention has further deteriorated the habit of reading. Even in trains

people see only picture papers to pass their time So it is advisable to preplan

and keep a handful of books to read whenever one has the time because sometimes

unforeseen occurrences also offer opportunities.

Total words in the given passage - 601

Total words in the precis - 175