Precis Writing for CSS and PMS: A Step-by-Step Method with Example

Precis writing means reducing a passage to about one third of its length without losing the main ideas. It checks reading, understanding and clear writing together. The precis and composition paper is a compulsory part of CSS and PMS, and it can be mastered with a fixed method.

What a good precis looks like

• About one third of the original length (follow the question's instructions).
• Written in your own words, in one paragraph, in the third person and in the past or present tense as appropriate.
• Contains the central idea and the important points, in the same order.
• Has no personal opinions, examples, quotations or repetition.
• Has a suitable title (if asked).

Step-by-step method

1. Read the passage twice. The first time for the general idea, the second time for details.
2. Underline the key sentences. Each paragraph usually has one main sentence.
3. Count the words of the original and calculate one third.
4. Write a rough draft using your own words. Combine short sentences.
5. Remove illustrations, repeated ideas, adjectives and adverbs that are not necessary.
6. Check the length, grammar and logic. The precis should be understandable by someone who has not read the passage.
7. Write the final copy neatly and note the word count.

A short example

Passage (about 90 words): "Reading is one of the best habits that a student can form. A person who reads regularly gains knowledge about many subjects, learns how to express his thoughts clearly, and develops the power of imagination. Moreover, reading is a quiet pleasure that needs no expensive equipment, only a book and a little time. Unfortunately, many young people today spend long hours on mobile phones and rarely open a book. If this trend continues, the habit of deep thinking will weaken and society will suffer."

Precis (about 30 words): Reading regularly increases knowledge, expression and imagination, and costs little. However, young people prefer mobile phones to books, and if this continues, deep thinking will weaken and society will suffer.

Title: The Value of Reading

Language tips

• Use indirect speech: change "I will go" to "he said that he would go".
• Replace phrases with single words: "in spite of the fact that" with "although".
• Avoid contractions such as "don't" and "can't".
• Do not copy long phrases from the passage. Examiners reduce marks for lifting.

Common mistakes

• Leaving out the main idea while keeping a minor detail.
• Adding your own views or comments.
• Exceeding or falling far short of the word limit.
• Making several paragraphs. The precis should be one paragraph.

Practise

Take one passage from an editorial or past paper each day, write the precis in 30 minutes, and compare it with the model. In a month the speed and quality will improve visibly. Keep a vocabulary list of useful single words that replace phrases.