How to Write a Précis (or Precis)
[Pronounced "pray-see"] In short, a precis is a summary of a story or an essay. The purpose of a precis is to present the main ideas of the essay or a brief plot summary of the story. A precis reveals whether the student understands the most important points of an argument or the most significant events and dialogue of the story.
For some tips on writing a precis, read my article "How to Write a Précis." Here are some other websites with helpful information on writing a precis:
- Writing the Precis, an article by Michael Seiferth at Palo Alto College.
- Process for Writing a Summary, an article hosted by St. Cloud State University.
- Instructions for writing an Abstract an article by Ellen Moody
My classroom website, like my weekly printed newsletter, is named The Précis. In a sense, the website and the newsletter are just summaries of the most important information students and parents should know about upcoming tests, papers, and reading assignments.
The Précis | 180 Days of English | 3x5 Books | Hit, Catch, Throw | Bowman Family Photos