Precis

Lecture by: M Shahzeb Khalil

Principles
a) What is Precis? What to do in Precis?

b) How to do Precis?

c) Assignment
a) What is Precis?/What to do in Precis?
1) Size:
i. Instructions of the examiner
ii. When examiner is silent, then 1/3rd of the original passage.

2) The language structure of precis must be broken. It should not be copied from
the original passage. It means, it must be written in your own words i.e. in your
own language structure or design. However, the keywords/key terms used in the
passage may be reproduced. Alternate words to the keywords can NOT be used.
It’s nothing but a SUICIDE. Keywords should be reproduced in the precis.

3) You should not skip points from the original passage. However, the trimming of
the points must be done so that the para is expressed as per the demand of the
examiner.
4) Precis must be written in indirect speech. ALWAYS!

a. Third person (‘We’ can only be used if it is about the entire society.)
b. Unnecessary references shall be avoided. However, they may be
reproduced in certain cases such as:
i. When a person is the part of the contents of the paragraph.
ii. Reorganization (either scattered points or even whole paragraph)

5) The tense of precis must be as same as in the original passage. However, the
tense may be changed if para is in direct speech.
6) We shall preferably write precis in active voice. Avoid writing precis in passive
voice. However, two to three sentences may be written.

7) Vocabulary – the simplest!

8) Do not write long sentences. 10-14 words sentences.

9) Examples - Not to be reproduced! However, the meanings should be

understood and taken to the precis.

10) Proverbs – You should not reproduce proverbs but incorporate its
meanings if not overlapping.

11) Interrogative Statement – It can be either direct ‘?’ or indirect ‘.’. They
are not to be reproduced. However, the meanings should be understood and
taken to the precis.
Title of Precis
Qualities of Title:
i. Size: 1-6 words (marks: 5)

ii. Title must have the most important keyword of the passage.

iii. It must NOT be a complete sentence but a HEADING.

iv. It must NOT end on a punctuation mark or written in quotation marks.

v. It must be in your own words i.e. NOT a quotation.

vi. You should not write your title being a philosopher. Be simple!
b) How to do Precis?
 You must NOT give three readings. ONE ONLY!

 Preferably, do it as the last question in paper.

 If you fail this, you fail the paper.

 You should have at least 50 minutes for this question. However, it is suggested
to have 60 minutes to be on a safe side.

 Start doing precis sentence by sentence.

  Compress the 1st sentence and write it.

 Compress the 2nd sentence and write it.

Step 1
 Compress the 3rd sentence and write it.

 … & so on.
 Give a reading to points in step 1 for
Give reorganization and linkage.

Step 2 Put Put symbols or signs of your choice to

the linked and organized points.

Write sentences with same symbols or

Write signs in one go or two if not possible.
Step 3

 Put a heading of Suggested Titles.

 Suggest 4-5 titles.

 Analyze all and select one (in your mind) as the final title.
Start Precis!
 Start precis from a NEW PAGE.

 On the left top of page, put a heading of FINAL DRAFT.

 In the middle, write the Title of Precis. Do it in the end though. Leave some
space here.

 Write the precis passage from Step 2.

 Precis passage should be ONE.

 In the end on right corner, write “Original Words” and “Precis Words” in total.
Thank You for Listening
Actively and Patiently.
Q&A