(pronounced “pray-see”)

What it is

A précis is a summary of a book or article in which the author’s story or argument is accurately and fairly reproduced, but in the student’s own words.

It recounts the basic narrative of the story (if fiction) or the basic arguments of the book or article (if nonfiction) in ¼ to 1/6 of the original length.

This is beneficial to you as a student because it maximizes your comprehension of the document.

As Michael Seiferth at Palo Alto College puts it,

“your ability to write the precis is central to the basics of analysis, synthesis, comparison, and other key, higher order thinking skills absolutely required for your success in college and in the profession or career you have chosen when you graduate.”

How to write it

1. read the article once

2. read the article at least once more (preferably two to three times, depending on length), mapping out the author’s argument

3. take the resulting argument "map" and re-write it in your own words to the required page length

Remember:

This is not a reflection paper or book report – it's an exact replica of the original, but shorter, and in different words.
Try not to quote the text, and limit paraphrasing unless absolutely necessary (that is, unless there's no other way to say it).
Don’t add any opinion or new examples.
Don’t use expressions like “This passage says…,” or “According to the author…”. You don't want to “stand apart” from the document, but to reproduce its intent, tone, style and mood in different words.


Tips for writing a précis of fiction:

Look especially for plot structure: the exposition, inciting incident, crisis, final resolution, and denouement will constitute your through line.
Identify the conflict in the story and only include that which develops or resolves the conflict.


Tips for writing a précis of nonfiction:

Identify the topic sentences through the document (check the introduction and conclusion to each section). This will likely provide most of your précis skeleton.


Sample:

It is easy to say, ‘Enlarge your vocabulary; first,
that you may enter upon the privileges of a cultivated woman; and secondly, that you may be able to tell the truth easily and accurately.’ But it is another and more difficult matter to prescribe the means by which this is to be done. Every girl must, to a large degree, work out her own method. The reading of the best books and conversation with cultivated folk are both helps to the free use of words. The dictionary is the best friend for your task. Never allow a strange word to pass unchallenged. Usually, it is wise to look it up at the moment. If that is im*possible, it must be written firmly on the memory and traced at the first opportunity. It is good to encourage in yourself the habit of dawdling a little over the dictionary. It is the only place where dawdling reaps a harvest. To learn two new words a day–thoroughly to learn them so that their use will not have a foreign accent–is to insure a large vocabulary before you reach middle age. (189 words)

Title: Enriching Your Vocabulary

Main Points

1. It is a mark of culture and also a means of self-expression to possess a large vocabulary.
2. Every girl should find her own methodology of enriching her vocabulary.
3. The two most helpful ways are reading and conversation. However, a dictionary is the best aid.
4. A new word should be looked up immediately or as soon as possible.
5. By middle age, one can build a large vocabulary if two new words are learned every day.

Précis

Every girl should endeavor to enlarge her vocabulary for successful self-expression. It is also a mark of culture. Reading and conversation are a great help in this regard. However, the best aid is the dictionary. Every new word should be looked up immediately or soon after. A rich vocabulary can be acquired by the time a person reaches middle age if two new words are learned every day.