CSS English Precis and Composition Precis Writing Syllabus

Precis Writing syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Precis Writing in CSS English Precis and Composition, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Fundamentals of Precis

   4 topics

   • Definition and Purpose of a Precis
   • Qualities of a Good Precis
   • Difference Between Precis and Summary
   • Common Mistakes to Avoid
2. 2

   Reading and Analysing the Passage

   4 topics

   • Identifying the Central Theme
   • Distinguishing Main Ideas from Details
   • Underlining Key Points and Keywords
   • Multiple Readings Technique
3. 3

   Compression Techniques

   5 topics

   • Reducing to One-Third Length
   • Removing Redundancy and Repetition
   • Replacing Phrases with Single Words
   • Reported Speech and Third Person Conversion
   • Use of Past Tense in Precis
4. 4

   Drafting and Revising

   4 topics

   • Writing the Rough Draft
   • Maintaining Logical Flow
   • Word Count Management
   • Proofreading and Final Draft
5. 5

   Suggesting an Appropriate Title

   3 topics

   • Capturing the Essence in a Title
   • Short and Relevant Title Construction
   • Common Title-Setting Errors

Precis Writing flashcards for CSS English Precis and Composition

20 of 51 cards from the Precis Writing deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a precis?

   A precis is a concise, clear, and logical summary of a passage that captures its essential meaning and central theme in the writer's own words, typically reduced to about one-third of the original length.

2. What is the primary purpose of writing a precis?

   To convey the gist and main ideas of a longer passage in a shorter form, testing the writer's ability to read, comprehend, and express the essence accurately without distortion.

3. From which language is the word 'precis' derived, and what does it mean?

   It is derived from the French word 'precis', meaning 'precise', 'cut short', or 'condensed'.

4. List the main qualities of a good precis.

   Clarity, conciseness (brevity), accuracy, coherence, completeness of main ideas, objectivity, and being written in the precis-writer's own words in the third person.

5. Why must a precis be coherent?

   So that the condensed ideas flow logically and read as a continuous, unified piece rather than a set of disconnected notes, preserving the original's logical sequence.

6. Should a precis include the writer's personal opinions or comments? Why?

   No. A precis must be objective; it should only reflect the original author's ideas, never the precis-writer's own opinions, criticism, or additions.

7. What is the key difference between a precis and a summary?

   A precis is strictly reduced to about one-third of the original and must follow the original's order and proportion in the writer's own words, whereas a summary is a freer, more flexible gist with no fixed length ratio.

8. Does a precis follow the same sequence of ideas as the original passage?

   Yes. A precis preserves the logical order and proportion of the original ideas, unlike a summary which may rearrange or selectively present points.

9. Is a precis written in the original author's words or the precis-writer's own words?

   In the precis-writer's own words; directly copying sentences from the passage is not acceptable in a precis.

10. Name three common mistakes to avoid when writing a precis.

    Copying sentences verbatim from the passage, including personal opinions or extra examples, and failing to keep within the one-third length limit.

11. Why is including examples and illustrations a mistake in a precis?

    Examples and illustrations are supporting details, not main ideas; a precis must contain only the essential gist, so details and examples are omitted to maintain brevity.

12. Should a precis have a title? If so, what kind?

    Yes, a good precis is usually given a short, appropriate title that reflects the central theme of the passage.

13. What is the 'central theme' of a passage?

    The single main idea or controlling thought that the entire passage is built around and which the precis must accurately capture and convey.

14. How can you identify the central theme of a passage?

    By reading the passage carefully (often multiple times), noting recurring ideas, examining topic sentences, and asking what single point the author is trying to make overall.

15. What is the difference between a main idea and a supporting detail?

    A main idea is an essential point that advances the author's argument and must appear in the precis; a supporting detail (examples, statistics, illustrations, repetitions) merely backs up a main idea and is omitted.

16. In a typical paragraph, where is the main idea often found?

    In the topic sentence, which is frequently the first or last sentence of the paragraph, though it can sometimes be implied.

17. Why is distinguishing main ideas from details essential in precis writing?

    Because a precis must include only the main ideas to achieve the required one-third length; retaining details would make it too long and defeat the purpose of condensation.

18. What is the purpose of underlining key points and keywords while reading a passage?

    To visually mark the essential ideas and important terms so they can be retained and woven into the precis, while unmarked material (examples, repetition) can be discarded.

19. What kinds of words or phrases should you underline when preparing a precis?

    Topic sentences, key nouns and verbs, central ideas, and important transitional or thematic words that carry the core meaning of the passage.

20. Why is the 'multiple readings technique' recommended in precis writing?

    Because a single reading rarely reveals the full meaning; multiple readings ensure complete comprehension of the theme, structure, and essential points before condensing.

See more Precis Writing flashcards →

Planning Precis Writing for CSS English Precis and Composition

Precis Writing (CSS English Precis and Composition) FAQ