- GR OU P 5-

WR IT IN G A N
R A C T, P R E C IS
AB S T
OR S U M M A R Y
e l a M . D u r a n t e
C a rm
l e r C . M a r t i re s
Zeus Sky
Michelle Mina
By the end of the lesson, you will have
been able to:
• identify the features of an effective abstract, précis,
or summary: determine the purpose and context for
writing an abstract, précis, or summary:
• analyze the features of an abstract, précis, or
summary; and
• write an effective abstract, précis, or summary.
 ABSTRACT,
PRÉCIS OR
SUMMARY
• Texts are classified as either
abstract, précis, or summary and
sometimes as synopsis, are all the
same.
 ABSTRACT,
PRECIS OR
SUMMARY
• these texts aim to precisely
condense a larger work to present
only the key ideas. They tell the
audience the gist of what has
been read, listened to or viewed.
 ABSTRACT,
PRÉCIS OR
SUMMARY
• general rule is to condense the
information into around 15 percent of
the original length of the text.
• 6,000 word research article for an
academic journal may require only 200
to 250 words for its abstract
TWO KINDS OF ABSTRACT

Descriptive Abstract

Summative Abstract
TWO KINDS OF ABSTRACT
Descriptive Abstract
• For example, publishing companies,
libraries, and movie catalog do not give
away the actual content of the material
when they write summaries of material.
• Their purpose is simply to pique the
interest of the target audience
 TWO KINDS OF ABSTRACT
Summative Abstract
• Research papers, on the other hand, readily
present the key ideas and major findings of the
study.
• summative abstract is more preferred in an
academic setting
STRUCTURE OF AN ABSTRACT, PRÉCIS
OR SUMMARY
Research Abstract
• the abstract of a research paper usually
contains 150 to 300 words. It does not
use any citation, does not include specific
result statistics, and is last to be written.
 In terms of structure, a research abstract
generally follows the given allocation of words:

20% 10% 20%

Rationale Research Methodology
problems
40% 10%
Major Conclusions &
findings Implications
STRUCTURE OF AN ABSTRACT, PRÉCIS
OR SUMMARY

Summary for Expository Texts

• A précis or summary for a non-research academic text

generally condenses information into 15 to 30 percent
of the original text.
• It is achieved by getting the thesis statement of the text
and the main idea or topic sentence of each paragraph.
These main ideas are then combined into a paragraph
using cohesive devices.
STRUCTURE OF AN ABSTRACT, PRÉCIS
OR SUMMARY
Summary for Expository Texts

• when writing a précis or summary, the name

of the author and the title of the article are
indicated in the first sentence.
 GUIDELINES IN WRITING AN
ABSTRACT, PRÉCIS OR SUMMARY
• Read the text twice until you fully understand
its content.
• Highlight the key ideas and phrases.
• Annotate the text.
• State the author's name, the title of the passage,
and the man idea at the beginning sentence.
 GUIDELINES IN WRITING AN
ABSTRACT, PRÉCIS OR SUMMARY
• Use words or phrases indicating that you are presenting an
abstract, précis, or sum Reporting verbs are most useful
for this purpose. Some phrases you can use are "The text
reports that... The authors claim" and "The author
clarifies...
• Write the main idea of each paragraph using your own
words In some cases, you can write one main idea for
multiple paragraphs particularly of a research paper.
 GUIDELINES IN WRITING AN
ABSTRACT, PRÉCIS OR SUMMARY
• Never copy in verbatim a single sentence from the
original text.
• Combine the main ideas to form one paragraph,
Use appropriate transitional devices to improve
cohesion.
• Refrain from adding comments about the text. Stick
to the ideas presented in the text
 GUIDELINES IN WRITING AN
ABSTRACT, PRÉCIS OR SUMMARY
• Edit your draft abstract, précis, or summary by
eliminating redundant deas and making sure it
contains the properties of a well-written text.
• Compare your output with the original text to
ensure accuracy.
 i f y o u n e e d i t
a s u b t i t le h e r e
Yo u c a n e n t e r