HIS 331

Writing a Prcis
Definition: A prcis is a clear, concise, logical summary of a passage. It preserves only the essential ideas
of the original. It keeps the viewpoint and emphasis of the original ideas that the author used in the
passage.
Purpose: The purpose of it is to create a document that will serve as a shorthand or reminder in your study
of history. Writing a prcis increases your skills in reading and in writing with precision and economy of
expression.
Requirements for prcis work:
- concentration and alertness in reading
- sensitivity to word meanings(perhaps from a different time period) and authors point of view
- ability to distinguish between major and minor points
- a sense of proportion, emphasis and relativity
First step in reading before writing a prcis:
- general attentive reading of the whole passage
- recognition and identification of the authors tone and viewpoint
- determination of the authors methods and reasons for developing his/her ideas
Second step in reading before writing a prcis:
- reread passage several times, if necessary, for clear comprehension of ideas
- note and disregard parts of the authors work which are obviously introductory
- note key phrases
- observe and determine emphasis by the author
- important ideas are frequently put at the beginning or end of a passage, or in the topic
sentences of paragraphs; pay attention to these
- generally, disregard figures of speech, illustrations or quotations used by the author
- when selecting ideas form the passage, ask yourself if the idea could be omitted without
changing the fundamental meaning of the passage. If so, dont use it!
Writing a prcis:
- for our purposes in H331, limit the prcis to one page, double spaced
- use clear, factual expressions; do not attempt to preserve the original style or tone of the
passage
- write as if you are the author (e.g DO NOT write "The Declaration of Independence says"
DO just go ahead and write it as if you were expressing the ideas yourself.
- do not introduce new ideas of your own. Do not criticize, analyze or change the authors
ideas.