Précis

A précis is a concise, accurate restatement of a text’s essential points and logical structure, written in one’s own words. It summarizes the author’s main argument, key supporting points, and conclusions while omitting illustrative detail, digressions, and nonessential data. A précis aims to reflect the original work’s purpose and organization in a much shorter form, maintaining a coherent flow rather than providing a loose or informal summary.

Etymology derives from the French word for precise, underscoring the goal of exactness. Précis writing is common in education, humanities, journalism, and professional settings where a brief, faithful briefing is required. It is often used to demonstrate reading comprehension, synthesis, and the ability to convey complex ideas succinctly.

To write a précis, begin with careful reading to identify the author’s thesis, main ideas, and conclusions, noting how they are developed. Determine which points are essential and what order or emphasis the author uses. Draft a version in your own words that preserves the logical sequence, then refine for clarity and brevity. Limit the length to about one-quarter to one-third of the original, depending on guidelines. Use precise, neutral language, avoid quotes and personal interpretation, and ensure the tone remains faithful to the source. After drafting, revise for accuracy, coherence, and economy of expression, and verify that the final précis accurately represents the source’s structure and intent.

A précis differs from a summary in its emphasis on preserving the argument’s structure and essential elements within a compact form. It also contrasts with an abstract, which in scholarly contexts may emphasize methodology or results and may follow discipline-specific conventions.