precis

A précis is a concise restatement of a text's main ideas written in the writer's own words. It aims to preserve the essential argument and logical structure of the original while omitting details, digressions, and auxiliary information.

Its primary purpose is to convey the core message and supporting points clearly and efficiently. Precises are used in education, research, journalism, and professional settings to provide a quick, accurate understanding of a longer work without requiring a full reading.

A précis differs from a summary in its emphasis on precision and structure. While a summary may be broader and could reproduce some phrases from the source, a précis should be a tightly paraphrased, objective rendering that mirrors the original’s argument order, states the thesis, and covers the main reasons or points. It should avoid unnecessary details such as examples, anecdotes, or quotations, unless specifically required.

Forms and length vary by assignment, but a précis is typically shorter than the source document, often about one-quarter to one-third of the original length. It can take the form of a single paragraph or a short sequence of sentences, always tailored to fit a given word limit.

Steps to write a précis include: read the text closely to identify the thesis and major points; outline the argument in your own words; reorganize to reflect the source’s logical order; write concisely, using neutral language; and revise for accuracy and coherence. Avoid inserting personal opinions or misrepresenting the author’s position.

Etymology traces the term to the French précis, meaning “summary.” In English, the précis remains a standard tool in literary analysis, academic writing, and critical reading. See also abstract, summary, and synopsis.