Writing a Précis
Precis longer passages by summarising the main ideas and key information concisely while maintaining the essential meaning and removing non-essential detail
What a learner can do afterwards
- Reduce a three-paragraph text to a single paragraph capturing all main points
- Identify and remove redundant information while preserving essential meaning
- Write a precis that is no more than one-third the length of the original text
The lesson
A précis is a short, clear summary of a longer passage. It keeps only the main ideas and drops the small details, written in your own words.
To write one, read the whole passage first. Find the main idea in each paragraph, then cross out examples, repeated points, and extra description. Combine what is left into one short paragraph.
Original: 'Dogs are loyal pets. They protect their owners' homes, and many dogs also help guide people who cannot see well. Because dogs bond so closely with people, they have earned the nickname man's best friend.' Précis: 'Dogs are loyal pets that protect homes, guide people, and are often called man's best friend.'
Never copy sentences straight from the original. If you can't say it in your own words, you haven't understood the main idea yet.
A précis keeps the main ideas in your own words, cut to about a third of the original length.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
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Where this leads
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8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.