Precis writing serves as the bedrock of the English Precis and Composition paper in the CSS, UPSC, and PMS examinations. It is not merely an exercise in summarization but a refined intellectual discipline that demands clarity, precision, and a deep comprehension of the original text. A well-executed precis reflects your ability to comprehend sophisticated ideas, distill them to their core, and articulate them in your own precise and coherent language.
With over 11 years of experience teaching precis writing to nearly 14,000 competitive exam aspirants, I have consistently stressed the vital importance of mastering the core principles that define an effective precis. Time and again, I have observed that even highly capable candidates falter when these fundamentals are overlooked. Let us now examine each key requirement in detail, accompanied by relevant examples, to ensure your precis reflects both technical skill and intellectual insight.
Essentials of Precis Writing
1. Clarity and Precision
A good precis must be crystal clear and easily understandable to someone who has not read the original passage. It should be unambiguous, with logical sentence structures and precise vocabulary. Avoid convoluted phrasing or jargon where simpler terms suffice. The language should be direct and to the point, ensuring the message is immediately grasped.
Reading Method
- Use simple, direct language where possible.
- Avoid jargon or overly complex vocabulary unless absolutely necessary to convey the original meaning.
- Ensure sentence structures are not convoluted.
Example Passage
The multifarious challenges confronting developing nations necessitate a holistic and synergistic approach to policy formulation, transcending conventional disciplinary silos to address interconnected socio-economic disparities.
- Aspirant's Error (Unclear/Jargon)
Developing nations' many problems need a whole, working-together policy that goes beyond old ways to fix linked social and economic differences. - Correct Precis (Clear)
Developing nations' diverse challenges require a comprehensive, collaborative policy approach, integrating various disciplines to address interconnected socio-economic disparities. - Analysis
The correct precis uses clearer, more common synonyms while retaining the academic tone.
Real Example Passage to Understand Clarity
The burgeoning complexities of global financial markets, characterized by an intricate web of interconnected derivatives, volatile algorithmic trading, and rapid capital flows across diverse regulatory jurisdictions, have presented unprecedented challenges to traditional macroeconomic stability. This intricate interplay of factors, often exacerbated by speculative investor behavior and the asynchronous implementation of monetary policies across major economies, renders the task of predicting and mitigating systemic risks exceedingly difficult for central banks and international financial institutions. Furthermore, the sheer volume of real-time transactional data, while potentially offering valuable insights, can also overwhelm analysts, leading to delayed responses to emerging crises. The absence of a truly unified global regulatory framework, coupled with the inherent incentives for regulatory arbitrage, allows certain financial activities to operate in opaque environments, thereby increasing the potential for contagion during periods of market stress. Consequently, fostering greater transparency, enhancing cross-border supervisory cooperation, and developing adaptive regulatory tools are paramount to safeguarding the integrity and stability of the global financial system in this highly dynamic environment, preventing future crises of the magnitude witnessed in past decades. (175 words)
Issue Explanation
The original passage is inherently complex due to its technical financial terms and intricate sentence structure. A common error in precis writing would be to retain this complexity or use equally dense language, making the summary difficult to understand for a general reader (or examiner). The goal is to simplify the expression while retaining accuracy.
Correct Precis (Demonstrating Clarity)
Global financial markets, complex due to interconnected derivatives, algorithmic trading, and rapid capital flows, pose unprecedented challenges to macroeconomic stability. This complexity, worsened by speculative behavior and asynchronous monetary policies, hinders risk mitigation for central banks. The vast data can overwhelm analysts, and fragmented global regulation allows opacity, increasing contagion risk. Safeguarding the system requires greater transparency, cross-border cooperation, and adaptive regulatory tools to prevent future crises. (67 words)
2. Conciseness and Brevity (Length Requirement)
A precis must be strictly concise. The most common and crucial rule is to reduce the original passage to one-third of its length. This demands rigorous editing, eliminating every superfluous word, phrase, and detail that does not contribute to the main argument. This is a test of your ability to discriminate between essential and non-essential information.
Reading Method
- Calculate the target word count (Original Word Count / 3).
- Eliminate all examples, anecdotes, statistics (unless central to the main argument), repetitions, and redundant phrases.
- Replace lengthy phrases with single words or more compact expressions.
What Length Can Be?
- For a 300-word passage, your precis should be approximately 100 words.
- For a 240-word passage, aim for around 80 words.
- For a 180-word passage, target about 60 words.
- Always write the exact word count at the end of your precis (e.g., "Word Count: 78 words").
Example Passage (55 words)
The process of urbanization, which involves the movement of people from rural areas into large cities, is a global phenomenon. It is driven by various factors such as the search for better employment opportunities, access to improved educational facilities, and the availability of superior healthcare services. This movement, however, places immense strain on urban infrastructure.
Target Word Count: 18 words.
- Aspirant's Error (Too Long)
Urbanization, the movement from rural to cities, is global. It's driven by better jobs, education, and healthcare. But it strains urban infrastructure greatly. (30 words) - Correct Precis
Urbanization, citizens' movement to cities driven by better opportunities and services, significantly strains urban infrastructure. (15 words) - Analysis
The correct precis condenses "better employment opportunities, access to improved educational facilities, and the availability of superior healthcare services" into "better opportunities and services."
Real Example Passage to Understand Conciseness
The phenomenon of brain drain, which is essentially the emigration of highly skilled and educated professionals from their home countries, particularly from developing nations to more economically advanced ones, poses a formidable and persistent obstacle to national development. These individuals, including doctors, engineers, scientists, and academics, often seek better economic opportunities, advanced research facilities, and improved living standards abroad, which are frequently unavailable in their native lands. Their departure creates significant human capital deficits in critical sectors such as healthcare, technology, and higher education, leading to a severe shortage of expertise crucial for innovation, service delivery, and overall economic growth. For instance, a country might invest heavily in medical education, only to see its newly qualified doctors migrate, leaving rural areas underserved and exacerbating existing health disparities. Governments in affected nations frequently attempt to mitigate this outflow through various incentives, including improved salaries, attractive research grants, and appeals to national patriotism, sometimes even offering re-integration packages. However, these measures often prove insufficient without addressing underlying systemic issues like political instability, pervasive corruption, lack of meritocracy, and inadequate infrastructure, which are consistently identified as primary drivers of this intellectual exodus. Therefore, a holistic and multi-pronged policy approach is required to not only retain existing talent but also to encourage the return of expatriates and reverse this detrimental trend, ensuring sustainable national progress and leveraging the diaspora for national benefit. (228 words)
Issue Explanation
The original is verbose and includes specific examples and detailed elaborations (e.g., "doctors, engineers," "medical education," "re-integration packages"). A common error is to retain these details, which would inflate the word count beyond the one-third limit (which should be around 90 words).
Correct Precis (Demonstrating Conciseness)
Brain drain, the emigration of highly skilled professionals from developing to advanced nations, significantly impedes national development by creating human capital deficits in critical sectors. While individuals seek better opportunities abroad, their departure hinders innovation and service delivery. Government incentives often fail without addressing systemic issues like instability, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure. A holistic policy approach is thus required to retain talent and reverse this detrimental trend for sustainable national progress. (80 words)
3. Accuracy and Fidelity
Your precis must faithfully and accurately represent the original passage's meaning. Do not distort the author's message, introduce new ideas, or omit crucial arguments. The precis should reflect the spirit and stance of the original. Any misrepresentation, even if unintentional, will lead to deductions.
Reading Method
- Read the passage multiple times to ensure complete understanding of the author's exact message.
- Avoid using phrases like "I think," "In my opinion," or "It is clear that..." if they introduce your own judgment.
- Stick strictly to the information presented in the original passage.
Example Passage
The report analyzes the economic impact of climate change, specifically focusing on agricultural losses and the displacement of coastal communities due to rising sea levels.
- Aspirant's Error (Lack of Fidelity)
The report analyzes climate change, which I believe is the biggest threat facing humanity, and discusses agricultural losses. - Correct Precis (Fidelity)
The report analyzes climate change's economic impact, focusing on agricultural losses and coastal community displacement. - Analysis
The correct precis removes the personal opinion and sticks to the report's stated focus.
Real Example Passage to Understand Accuracy
The debate surrounding the efficacy of capital punishment continues to divide societies, with proponents and opponents presenting compelling arguments rooted in ethical, legal, and practical considerations. Advocates for capital punishment often argue that it serves as a just retribution for heinous crimes, providing a sense of closure for victims' families and upholding the sanctity of life by punishing those who violate it most severely. Furthermore, they contend that it acts as a powerful deterrent, discouraging potential criminals from committing similar offenses, thereby enhancing public safety. Conversely, opponents vehemently argue that capital punishment is a cruel and inhumane punishment, violating fundamental human rights and the inherent dignity of every individual. They highlight the irreversible nature of the death penalty, pointing to numerous cases of wrongful convictions that underscore the risk of executing innocent people. Moreover, critics assert that there is no conclusive evidence to demonstrate its deterrent effect, often citing studies that show no significant difference in crime rates between abolitionist and retentionist states. The immense financial cost of lengthy appeals processes associated with capital punishment is also a practical concern. Ultimately, the moral permissibility and practical utility of state-sanctioned killing remain deeply contentious issues, reflecting fundamental disagreements about justice, punishment, and the role of the state. (210 words)
Issue Explanation
A common error here would be to misrepresent one side of the argument (e.g., only presenting arguments for or against, or making one side sound weaker than the other) or to present a biased view, thereby distorting the original author's balanced portrayal of the debate.
Correct Precis (Demonstrating Accuracy)
The efficacy of capital punishment remains a divisive societal debate. Proponents argue it provides just retribution, closure for victims, and acts as a deterrent, enhancing public safety. Opponents, however, contend it is inhumane, violates human rights, and risks executing the innocent. They also dispute its deterrent effect and highlight its high financial cost. The moral and practical utility of state-sanctioned killing thus remains highly contentious, reflecting fundamental disagreements on justice and punishment. (75 words)
4. Objectivity (Person Requirement)
A precis must be strictly objective and impersonal. You are summarizing the author's views, not expressing your own. This means avoiding personal opinions, interpretations, biases, or subjective language. Maintain a neutral and detached tone throughout.
What Person Should Be Used?
- Always use the third person (he, she, it, they, the author, the government, the passage, etc.).
- Avoid the first person ("I," "we," "my," "our") and the second person ("you," "your").
Real Example Passage to Understand Objectivity
In my opinion, the challenges facing developing countries today are unequivocally multifaceted, encompassing severe economic instability, pervasive social inequality, and accelerating environmental degradation. We have observed that unchecked population growth, particularly in urban centers, exacerbates these problems significantly, straining already limited resources. Therefore, I believe it is absolutely imperative that governments, along with international organizations, initiate comprehensive and sustainable reforms. If you fail to address these deeply entrenched issues now, the future generations will undoubtedly suffer immensely, facing a diminished quality of life and persistent crises. It is our collective responsibility to act decisively and implement policies that prioritize long-term well-being over short-term political gains. (105 words)
Issue Explanation
The original uses first and second person, and expresses strong opinions and subjective emphasis ("unequivocally," "absolutely imperative"). A common error is to carry this subjective tone or these personal pronouns into the precis, making it sound like your own commentary.
Correct Precis (Demonstrating Objectivity and Third Person)
The author highlights the multifaceted challenges confronting developing countries, including economic instability, social inequality, and environmental degradation. He observes that unchecked population growth exacerbates these problems. Consequently, it is imperative that governments and international organizations initiate comprehensive reforms, as a collective responsibility for long-term well-being. (40 words)
5. Originality (In Your Own Words)
A precis is not a patchwork of sentences or phrases lifted directly from the original. You must rephrase the ideas using your own vocabulary and sentence structures. This demonstrates genuine comprehension and linguistic command, rather than mere copying. Even if the original wording is eloquent, you must find your own way to express the same idea.
Reading Method
- After identifying the main ideas, put the original passage aside.
- Write your draft based on your understanding, not by looking at the original text.
- Use synonyms and rephrase sentence structures.
Example Passage
The burgeoning global population places immense strain on finite natural resources, particularly fresh water and arable land.
- Aspirant's Error (Plagiarism)
The burgeoning global population places immense strain on finite natural resources." - Correct Precis (Original Expression)
A growing world population exerts significant pressure on limited natural resources, especially water and fertile land." - Analysis
The correct precis uses synonyms ("growing world population" for "burgeoning global population," "exerts significant pressure" for "places immense strain," "limited" for "finite") and slightly rephrases the structure.
Real Example Passage to Understand Originality
The burgeoning global population exerts immense and unprecedented pressure on finite natural resources, necessitating innovative approaches to sustainable consumption and production. Our current economic model, which is largely linear, taking, making, using, and disposing – is inherently unsustainable in the long run, as it depletes raw materials and generates vast amounts of waste. Water scarcity, deforestation, and the rapid loss of biodiversity are just some of the critical environmental consequences directly attributable to this unsustainable pattern of resource utilization. Furthermore, the disproportionate consumption patterns of developed nations, coupled with the rising aspirations of developing economies, compound the challenge, making equitable resource distribution a contentious issue. Addressing this existential threat requires a fundamental paradigm shift towards a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of each service life. This transition demands technological innovation, comprehensive policy reforms, and a profound change in consumer behavior, emphasizing reuse, recycling, and regeneration to ensure planetary health and intergenerational equity for future generations. (181 words)
Issue Explanation
A common error is to copy phrases like "burgeoning global population exerts immense and unprecedented pressure on finite natural resources" or "a fundamental paradigm shift towards a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible." This shows a lack of rephrasing skill.
Correct Precis (Demonstrating Originality)
Growing global population strains finite natural resources, demanding sustainable consumption and production. The current linear economic model is unsustainable, depleting resources and causing environmental degradation like water scarcity and biodiversity loss. Disproportionate consumption by developed nations further complicates equitable distribution. Addressing this requires a fundamental shift to a circular economy, emphasizing resource reuse, recycling, and regeneration. This transition necessitates technological innovation, policy reforms, and behavioral change for planetary health and intergenerational equity. (70 words)
6. Coherence and Flow
A good precis must read as a unified, logical, and coherent piece of writing, not a collection of disconnected points. Ideas should flow smoothly from one to the next, using appropriate transition words and logical sequencing that mirrors the original passage's structure. It should be a seamless narrative, not a choppy list.
Reading Method
- Ensure a smooth transition between sentences and paragraphs (if the original has multiple distinct sections).
- Use appropriate transitional words and phrases (e.g., "however," "moreover," "consequently," "thus," "therefore," "in addition," "furthermore").
- Maintain the original sequence of ideas.
Example Passage
The global economy faces numerous headwinds, including persistent inflation and supply chain disruptions. These factors contribute to slower growth and increased recession risk. Central banks are raising interest rates to combat inflation. However, such measures risk deeper economic downturns. International cooperation is essential to navigate this period.
- Aspirant's Error (Choppy/Disjointed)
Global economy has headwinds. Inflation and supply chain problems exist. Growth slows. Recession risk increases. Central banks raise rates. This risks downturns. Cooperation is needed. - Correct Precis (Coherent)
The global economy faces headwinds like inflation and supply chain disruptions, contributing to slower growth and recession risk. While central banks raise rates to combat inflation, such measures risk deeper downturns. Thus, international cooperation is essential. - Analysis
The correct precis uses "while" and "thus" to create logical connections and a smoother flow between ideas.
Real Original Passage to Understand Coherence
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises transformative benefits across various sectors, from revolutionizing healthcare diagnostics to optimizing logistical networks and enhancing financial trading. AI systems can process vast amounts of data at speeds impossible for humans, identifying patterns and making predictions with unprecedented accuracy, leading to significant efficiency gains and new discoveries. For instance, AI algorithms are now assisting doctors in detecting early signs of diseases. However, the rapid proliferation of AI also presents a complex array of ethical and societal challenges that demand urgent attention. Concerns include algorithmic bias, where AI systems perpetuate or amplify existing societal prejudices embedded in their training data, leading to unfair outcomes in areas like hiring or loan applications. Data privacy is another critical issue, as AI systems require immense datasets, raising questions about surveillance and individual rights. Furthermore, the potential for widespread job displacement due to automation poses a significant socio-economic challenge, necessitating proactive policy interventions for workforce reskilling and robust social safety nets. The question of accountability for autonomous decisions made by AI systems, particularly in critical sectors like autonomous vehicles or military applications, remains largely unresolved. Ensuring that AI development aligns with human values and societal well-being, therefore, necessitates robust ethical frameworks, transparent governance mechanisms, and interdisciplinary collaboration among technologists, ethicists, and policymakers to mitigate risks and harness its benefits responsibly for an equitable future. (225 words)
Issue Explanation
A common error is to list the benefits and then the challenges as two completely separate blocks without using transition words (like "However," "Furthermore," "Therefore") to show the shift from potential to problems, or failing to connect the final call for action to the preceding challenges, making the summary disjointed.
Correct Precis (Demonstrating Coherence)
Artificial Intelligence promises transformative benefits across sectors, enhancing efficiency and analytical capabilities. However, its rapid proliferation also raises profound ethical and societal challenges, including algorithmic bias, data privacy, accountability for autonomous decisions, and potential job displacement. Addressing these complexities requires robust ethical frameworks, transparent governance, and interdisciplinary collaboration among experts and policymakers to mitigate risks and responsibly harness AI's benefits for an equitable future. (64 words)
7. Completeness (of Essential Ideas)
Despite its brevity, the precis must contain all the essential information and main arguments of the original passage. It should give a complete, albeit condensed, picture of the original text's core message. Do not omit any vital points that are central to the author's argument, even if it means being extremely concise on each point.
Reading Method
- Ensure your precis addresses all the main points identified in your outline.
- Review the original passage after drafting to confirm no vital information has been left out.
Example Passage
The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the late 18th century, brought about unprecedented technological advancements and economic growth. However, it also led to severe social consequences, including widespread child labor, deplorable working conditions, and rapid urbanization that strained public health infrastructure. These challenges eventually spurred social reforms and the rise of labor movements, fundamentally altering the relationship between capital and labor.
- Aspirant's Error (Incomplete)
The Industrial Revolution brought technological advancements and economic growth, but also severe social consequences like child labor and bad working conditions." - Correct Precis (Complete)
The late 18th-century Industrial Revolution brought technological and economic growth but severe social consequences, including child labor, poor conditions, and strained urbanization. These issues spurred social reforms and labor movements, fundamentally altering capital-labor relations. - Analysis
The aspirant's error omits the crucial outcome of the challenges (social reforms and labor movements). The correct precis includes this vital information.
Real Example Passage (Example for Completeness)
The increasing reliance on digital platforms for public services and governance, often termed 'e-governance,' holds immense potential to enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen participation in public administration. Digital platforms can streamline bureaucratic processes, significantly reducing red tape and accelerating service delivery, from passport applications to tax submissions, making interactions with government more convenient for citizens. Furthermore, mobile applications and social media channels can facilitate greater citizen engagement, allowing for direct feedback, public consultations on policy matters, and more accessible information dissemination, thereby fostering greater accountability and trust in government. However, the successful and equitable implementation of e-governance faces considerable hurdles, particularly in developing countries where resources are scarce. These include inadequate digital infrastructure, such as limited broadband access in rural areas, and a significant digital literacy gap among both citizens and civil servants, hindering effective utilization. Moreover, pervasive cybersecurity risks, including data breaches and cyber warfare, pose a grave threat to data integrity and individual privacy, necessitating robust protective measures. Finally, resistance to change within traditional bureaucratic structures and the potential for digital exclusion of marginalized populations who lack access or skills present formidable socio-political challenges. Overcoming these obstacles requires strategic investment in technology infrastructure, comprehensive training programs for all stakeholders, and robust regulatory frameworks to ensure equitable, secure, and inclusive technological integration in governance for the benefit of all citizens. (221 words)
Issue Explanation
A common error is to focus only on the benefits of e-governance and completely omit the challenges (digital infrastructure, literacy gap, cybersecurity risks, resistance to change, digital exclusion), or vice-versa, making the precis an incomplete representation of the original.
Correct Precis (Demonstrating Completeness)
While digital governance offers efficiency and accessibility, it simultaneously creates unprecedented cybersecurity vulnerabilities and ethical dilemmas, necessitating a holistic approach combining technological innovation with stringent security, ethical oversight, and inclusive policies for resilient public services. (35 words)
8. Appropriate Tense
What Tense Should Be Used?
The choice of tense in a precis should primarily follow the main tense of the original passage, maintaining consistency throughout your summary.
For example, if the original passage discusses general truths, arguments, scientific facts, or ongoing situations, use the present tense. This is the most common tense for argumentative or expository passages. Similarly, if the original passage describes historical events, past actions, or a narrative, use the past tense.
Example Passage of Consistent Present Tense
Climate change poses an existential threat to humanity. Rising global temperatures lead to extreme weather events and sea-level rise. Scientists agree that human activities are the primary cause of this phenomenon. The world is currently experiencing unprecedented heatwaves.
Correct Precis
Climate change poses an existential threat, as rising global temperatures cause extreme weather and sea-level rise. Scientists agree human activities are the primary cause. The world is experiencing unprecedented heatwaves.
Example Passage for Consistent Past Tense
In 1947, Pakistan gained independence. The partition of British India led to significant migration and immense challenges for the newly formed nation. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah played a pivotal role in its creation, and his leadership was instrumental during that tumultuous period.
Correct Precis
Pakistan gained independence in 1947. The partition resulted in considerable migration and formidable challenges for the nascent state, with Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah playing a pivotal and instrumental role.
What Students Say About Sir Syed Kazim Ali?
From aspirants to officers, learners nationwide praise Sir Syed Kazim Ali for turning weak writers into confident achievers. Find out why his name stands tall in every successful CSS journey.
Learning and mastering precis writing is a testament to your analytical acumen, linguistic precision, and ability to communicate effectively. These qualities are not just tested in an exam but are vital for a successful career in public service. By diligently adhering to these requirements, ensuring clarity, conciseness, accuracy, objectivity, originality, coherence, and completeness, while maintaining consistent tense and person, and impeccable grammar, you can easily transform your precis writing skills. Learn and practice these guidelines, and you will undoubtedly enhance your performance in the CSS, UPSC, and PMS examinations, taking a significant step towards achieving your civil service aspirations.
