SUMMARY AND PRECIS WRITING

SUMRA FARHEEN
What is a Summary?
A summary is a brief record of all main points expressed in any
piece of writing or article.

A summary restates the author’s main ideas. It omits all

examples and evidence used to support and illustrate the point
of the passage. The function of a summary is to represent a
large amount of material in a concise form.
 What is Precis?

Precis is a small miniature of any article or writing that gives only

the absolute main point of that article.

A precis is a concise summary. It should contain only the

essential points, statements, or facts with the focus on

reproducing the logic, organization, and emphasis of the original

text.
 What should a precis do?
➢

Identify and use the keywords used in the original text or

speech.
➢

Maintain the order and structure of the original.

➢

Serve as a shorter substitute for the original text or

speech​.
•
The main difference between a precis and a summary is that
in a precis you use the language and structure of the original,
particularly key terms and phrases.
•
In paraphrases and summaries, you must use your own words
as much as possible, and as few words from the original as
possible.
 Difference between summary and precis
Summary Precis
Broadly
• discusses the main events in general. Focuses on every detail and deeply analyzes a particular
situation.
Use your own words as much as possible, and as few words from Use the language and structure of the original, particularly key
the original as possible. terms and phrases
The heading is not so important but reference to the original It is necessary to give the precis a title.
sources should be mentioned as (‘A summary of …’).
- Written in reported speech
- Must not contain any details not found in the original.
A summary should generally be no more than 25 % (one fourth) In general, a precis should be one-third (or less) the length of the
of the length of the original. original.
Not specifically have to maintain the order and can be written as It always maintains the order of the original piece and is always in
well as spoken. written format.

- It is objective and does not critique or evaluate the information.

 Difference between summary and precis
Summary Precis
• - Do not express your own opinion, wish, remark or criticism.

Do not use abbreviations or contractions. -

No copying from the passage. -

It is longer and more detailed. It is brief and concise.

Precis Format

➢FIRST SENTENCE: WHO, WHERE, WHEN, AND WHAT?

Indicate the author’s name, article/book title, date of publishing in
parenthesis, and topic you want to discuss.

➢ SECOND SENTENCE: HOW?

How the author develops, structures, and supports the argument.

➢ THIRD SENTENCE: WHY?

What was the purpose of this text? why the author has done all of this?
Precis Format

➢ FOURTH SENTENCE: FOR WHOM?

In the final sentence, identify the author’s intended audience .

SUMMARY WRITING
A good summary is in complete sentences, not in point form.

Can re-order the original’s material to some extent .

Not bound to repeat its structure point-for-point.

If your summary is too long, cut out words and even ideas that seem to
be peripheral after all.

Look for non-essential information and delete it (e.g. examples,

illustrations, repetition).