English For Academic and Professional Purposes

Name:_______________________ Date:_____________

Grade & Section:_________________ Taecher:_____________

Concept Note 7

I. TOPIC: Writing a Precis, Abstract and Summary in Various Discipline

II. CONCEPTS:

A précis is a way of summarizing in which the tone, proportions, and meaning of the
original text are maintained. It is paraphrasing academically. It gives only the heart of
the passage

 Tips in writing a précis

1. Read the passage several times for a full understanding.

2.Note key points.

3.Restateeach paragraph in one to three sentences.

4.Retain the precise order of the original points.

5.Check your précis against the original text.

A summary is summing up of presented material in a relatively less lengthy than the

original. It omits details, and does not include the reader's interpretation of the original.

 Tips in summarizing a text

1.Shorten the texts in such a way that all facts are in the summary.

2.Skim the text.

3.Read the text again to understand more details.

4.Make notes.

5.Form sentences with the help of your key word.

6.Connect sentences using suitable conjunctions.

7.Use simple present or simple past.

An abstract summarizes, usually in one paragraph of 300 words or less, the major
aspects of the entire paper in a prescribed sequence. Abstract is seen at the first part of
a research or a thesis paper and serves as an overview of the paper usually limited to
250 words.

Tips in writing an abstract

1.Identify the problem and the research solution.
2.Stick to the word count.
3.Include information on methods and results.
4.Mention the implication of your research.
5.Review and update the abstract.
 III. Activity /Exercise:

A. Identification

Directions: Identify which characteristics are being stated. Write if it is for

précis, summary and an abstract.

________1. summarizes, usually in one paragraph of 300 words or less

________2. It is summing up of presented material in a relatively less lengthy than the

original.

________3. It is paraphrasing academically

________4. is seen at the first part of a research or a thesis paper and serves as an
overview of the paper usually limited to 250 words.

________5. omits details, and does not include the reader's interpretation of the original.

B. Directions: Using the Venn diagram compare and contrast précis, summary and an abstract.

Blue circle – précis

Green circle – summary

Red circle - abstract