Introduction
Meaning of the word ‘Precis’; The word ‘Precis’ is pronounced as PRA-SEE. it came to the English via the French which received it in turn from Latin. The Latin word ‘PRAECIDRE’ (PRAE-before and CIDRE-to cut off) means to cut off in front.
Since its absorption in the English language its meaning has undergone some change. The word ‘Precis’ now means ‘precise’, ‘definite’, ‘exact’, ‘concise’. The Chamber’s Twentieth, Century Dictionary defines it as a ‘precise or abridged statement’.
Precis, as used in the English language today, denotes a clear, brief’, accurate, well connected abstract, summary or gist of a written or spoken matter, Its utility has been amply recognized and more emphasis is being laid on the development of the faculty to write a Precis.
Precis writing is more an art than a science.
The Object, Importance and Utility of Precis;
The object of precis writing is to bring out faithfully the salient of main idea, theme or meaning of an original document, writing or speech in a concise, clear, simple, coherent and natural language while preserving the spirit of the original.
The importance and utility of the art of precis writing cannot be over emphasized. The life today has become over-busy, Speed is now the essence of lime. Everyone is in haste. Few have the time or patience to pause, Think and perform al leisure. Hence the need for a short, lucid and well connected narrative, paragraph or exercise has grown with the passage of time for every one who has to deal with a plethora of files, documents, correspondence and all sorts of written exercises. The advantages of precis writing, therefore, are obvious.
Hence more and more stress is being laid on the desirability of inculcating this important art. And the best time for acquiring this art and developing it is when one steps into the college for higher studies.
Due to the great importance and utility of this art the academic institutions and universities the world over make provision in their syllabi for graduation classes and require their alumni to acquire good grasp of the essentials of this art and efficiency in the application of its essentials. Practically in every competitive examination a good percentage of marks is set apart for testing the ability of the competitors in writing a precis of a given passage. More and more attention is therefore being devoted in the classroom by teachers to help the students in acquiring, developing and mastering this valuable art.
It requires patience, perseverance and constant exercise to acquire it, but once acquired it pays rich dividends in later life. It has direct and practical utility too. It is an exercise in mental discipline and training in lucid self expression, clarity of thought, economy of words, quick comprehension and critical analysis of what one reads or writes. It develops in the student the faculty of marshalling his though is in a natural sequence and expressing them with judiciously selected words in a well knit narrative.
Knowledge of this unique technique is thus of great value and importance in-present day world in every walk of life wherein one has to use his pen. The know how of this great art comes through grasp of its essential sand fundamentals and by exercise in their application. Though pot very difficult yet it requires hard labor and constant practice to become a good artist.
Below are given guiding principles and fundamentals of good precis writing. A thorough study, good grasp and constant application of these would surely result in developing the faculties of the student and would make him a good precis writer and would help him enormously in later life.
Essentials of a Precis