Have you ever tried to tell a friend about a movie you watched, but instead of explaining every scene, you just gave them the main highlights? That is exactly what is precis writing. It comes from the French word précis, which means "exact" or "cut short."
Students need to learn how to write precis because it helps them swiftly understand complicated information and teaches them how to communicate a lot in a few words. A good summary shows that you actually understood the primary idea of the text, whether it was a news report or a history chapter.
What is Precis Writing?
The precis writing definition is a brief summary of a piece of writing that captures all the essential points without losing the author's original tone or message. It is not just a collection of random sentences; it is a miniature version of the original text, rewritten in your own words.
Key Characteristics of a Good Precis:
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Conciseness: It should be around one-third of the length of the original text.
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Clarity: It should be simple to read and understand.
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Completeness: It must have all the main ideas to be complete.
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Objectivity: Don't add your own thoughts or comments.
What is The Importance of Precis Writing?
Here is why precis writing is a high-value skill beyond exams:
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Benefit
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How it helps students
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Better understanding
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Forces you to identify the author’s central idea fast.
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Clear thinking
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Helps separate main points from supporting examples.
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Stronger writing
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Improves sentence structure, linking, and word choice.
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Time-saving skill
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Useful for revision notes, long chapters, and reports.
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Exam advantage
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Builds accuracy, word-limit control, and formal tone.
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Communication power
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Trains you to explain more in fewer words.
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Read More - Article Writing Format: How to Write Step by Step, Tips and Examples
Essential Rules of Precis Writing
To write a perfect summary, follow these 5 golden rules of precis writing:
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Read Carefully: Read the passage at least two times. The first time is to grasp the big picture, and the second time is to find the important points.
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Give it a Title: Each precis needs a short, memorable name that sums up the core idea.
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Use Your Own Words: Do not copy and paste sentences from the original text. Use words that you know.
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Stay in the Third Person: Write as if you are an observer all the time (for example, "The author says..." or "The report says...").
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Check the Length: Count how many words you have. If the original is 300 words, your precis should be about 100 words.
The Standard Precis Writing Format
When you sit down to write, follow this simple precis writing format to keep your work organized:
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Step 1: The Title: At the very top, write a title.
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Step 2: The Draft: Put the major points in a logical arrangement.
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Step 3: The Connection: To make the sentences sound like a story, use linking words like "however," "furthermore," or "consequently."
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Step 4: The Final Review: Read your precis to make sure it makes sense on its own, even if someone hasn't read the original text.
Precis Writing Examples
To see these rules in action, let's look at a short precis writing example:
Original Passage (75 words):
"Environmental pollution is a significant threat to our planet today. Smoke from factories and exhaust from cars pollute the air we breathe, leading to many health problems like asthma and lung disease. Furthermore, chemicals dumped into rivers kill fish and make the water unsafe for drinking. If we do not take immediate action to protect our nature, the future generations will face a world that is unhealthy and difficult to live in."
Precis (25 words):
Title: The Growing Threat of Pollution
Pollution from industrial and vehicle waste damages air and water quality, causing severe health issues. Immediate conservation efforts are necessary to protect the environment's future.
Read More - Essay Writing Topics for School Students in English
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple mistake can transform what your precis means. Avoid these common errors during precis writing:
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Copy-pasting sentences from the passage instead of rewriting in your own words.
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Adding opinions like “I feel” or “this is wrong”, a precis must stay neutral.
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Changing the meaning by removing a key cause, result, or condition.
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Missing the main point and focusing on small details, examples, or stories.
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Wrong length (too long or too short) and not sticking close to one-third.
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Bad flow: disconnected lines with no logical linking words.
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First person writing or casual tone that doesn’t match the original.
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No title or a vague title that doesn’t reflect the central idea.
Practice Exercise for Students
Here is a simple, step-by-step drill to practise precis writing without stress.
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Read this short passage :
“Many people waste water without noticing. Leaving the tap running while brushing, using extra water to wash vehicles, and taking long showers increases water use every day. In many places, clean water is limited and expensive to supply. If each person saves a little, the total savings become big. Simple habits like turning off taps, fixing leaks, and using a bucket can help conserve water.”
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Task: Write a precis in 25–30 words.
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Rules:
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Add: A title (3–6 words).
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Optional: Write word count at the end.
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