UNIT 15: PRÉCIS-WRITING

Q.1. Define the term ‘précis writing’ and mention how it is different from paraphrasing.

or

Point out the differences between precis writing and paraphrasing.

Answer– A précis is a concise summary of a text that retains the essential points of the original while omitting unnecessary details. It is typically written in one-third to one-fourth the length of the original text.

Précis writing condenses a passage while retaining main ideas and key points accurately, without personal interpretation. Paraphrasing restates the text in different words, allowing flexibility and some personal interpretation. Précis is a shorter, condensed version, while paraphrase is longer and more detailed. Paraphrasing focuses on understanding, while précis emphasizes summarizing.

Q.2. Discuss the importance of precis writing as a good exercise in reading and writing a composition.

Answer-Precis writing is crucial for improving reading and writing skills. It enhances comprehension by analysing main ideas and promoting critical thinking. By carefully selecting essential information, writers improve their ability to identify key points. Precis writing fosters concise communication by summarizing complex information effectively. It develops analytical skills as writers assess the significance of each element. Through reading critically, summarizing concisely, and using original words, précis writing strengthens both comprehension and composition abilities. It aids in understanding the text, enhances writing skills, and prevents plagiarism. Precis writing is a valuable exercise to perfect one’s ability to express ideas clearly in about one-third to one-fourth of the original text’s length.

EXERCISES 1

Write the précis of the following passages:

A great part of Arabia is desert. Here there is nothing but sand and rock. The sand is so hot that you cannot walk over it with your bare feet in the day time. Here and there in the desert are springs of water that come deep down under the ground- so deep that the sun cannot dry them up. These springs are few and far apart, but wherever there is one, trees grow tall and graceful, making a cool, green, shady place around the spring. Such a place is called an oasis. The Arabs who are not in the cities live in the desert all the year round. They in tents that can be put up and taken down very easily and quickly so that they can move from one oasis to another, seeking grass and water for their sheep, goats, camels and horses. These desert Arabs eat ripe, sweet figs, and also the dates that grow upon the palm trees; they dry them too, and use them as food all the year round. These Arabs have the finest horses in the world. An Arab is very proud of his riding horse, and loves him almost as he loves his wife and children. He never puts heavy loads upon his horse, and often lets him stay in the tent with his family. The camel is much more useful to the Arab than his beautiful horse, however, for he is much larger and stronger. One camel can carry as much as or more than two horses. The Arab loads the camel with goods and rides him, too, for miles and miles across the desert- just as if he were really the “Ship of the Desert”, which he is often called.

Answer-                       Title-Desert life in Arabia

Arabia has vast deserts with only sand and rocks. The scorching sand makes it impossible to walk barefoot during the day. Occasionally, there are springs hidden deep below the ground, creating oases. These oases have tall trees and offer a cool, green, and shaded area. Desert-dwelling Arabs live in tents that can be easily moved between oases, seeking grass and water for their animals. They enjoy eating ripe figs and dates, which they dry and eat throughout the year. The Arabs have remarkable horses and consider them as beloved family members. Camels, however, are more useful due to their size and strength. They can carry goods and serve as transportation across the desert. Camels are often referred to as the “Ship of the Desert.”

EXERCISES 2

Write the précis of the following passages:

A poor woman once came to Buddha to ask him whether he could give her any medicine to restore her dead child to life. The holy man told her that there was only one medicine to bring her son back to life. He bade her bring him a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death had never entered. The sorrowing mother went from door to door seeking the mustard seeds, but at every door he met with sad replies. One said, “I have lost my husband.” Another said, “Our child died last year.” She returned to the teacher and told him the result of her quest. Then Buddha told her tenderly not to think much of her own grief, since sorrow and death are common to all.

Answer– A woman approached Buddha, seeking a medicine to revive her deceased child. Buddha explained that there was only one medicine available, requiring mustard seeds from a house untouched by death. The mother searched from door to door but encountered sorrowful stories at every home. Upon returning, Buddha compassionately advised her to not dwell on her personal grief, as sorrow and death are universal experiences.

EXERCISES 3

Write the précis of the following passages:

Each one of us must realise that the only future for India and her people is one of tolerance and co-operation which has been the basis of our culture from ages past. We have laid down in our Constitution that India is a secular state. This does not mean irreligion. It means equal respect for all faiths and equal opportunities for those who profess any faith. We have, therefore, always to keep in mind this vital aspect of our culture which is also of the highest importance in the India of today. Those who put up barriers between one Indian and another, and who promote disruptive tendencies do not serve the cause of India or her culture. They weaken us at home and discredit us abroad.

Answer– India is a secular state, which means that it respects all faiths and gives equal opportunities to people of all faiths. It is important for all Indians to remember this and to promote tolerance and cooperation. Those who put up barriers between Indians or promote disruptive tendencies do not serve the cause of India or its culture.

EXERCISES 4

Write a précis of the following passage and add a suitable title to it:

Our country gave birth to a mighty soul and he shone like a beacon not only for India but also for the whole world. And yet he was done to death by one of our own brothers and compatriots. How did this happen? We might think that it was an act of madness, but that does not explain this tragedy. It could only occur because the seed for it was sown in the poison of hatred and enmity that spread throughout the country and affected so many of our people. Out of that seed grew this poisonous plant. It is the duty of all of us to fight this poison of hatred and ill-will. If we have learnt anything from Gandhiji, we must bear no ill-will or enmity towards any person. The individual is not our enemy; it is the poison within him that we fight and which we must put an end to.

Answer– Title: Fighting the Poison of Hatred

Gandhi was a great soul who shone like a beacon for India and the world. He was assassinated by one of his own countrymen. This tragedy could only have happened because of the poison of hatred and enmity that spread throughout the country. It is the duty of all Indians to fight this poison and to bear no ill-will or enmity towards any person.

EXERCISES 5

Give the precis of the following passage:

Nowadays many an educated youth of the middle class in our country is out of employment for want of service. The principal reason for this employment problem is the fact that the number of educated men is gradually increasing and yet all the educated men hanker after service. Many, again, bearing some prejudice, are unwilling to do such deeds. But what is more humiliating than being idle? In fact, if this false idea of social labour is not rejected and a conviction of the dignity of labour is not established, there can be no solution of the unemployment problem. There is indeed no humiliation in any work whatsoever. Humiliation lies in idleness and hanging on others.

Answer– Many educated youths in India are unemployed because they are unwilling to do manual labour. They have a false idea of social labour and do not believe in the dignity of work. This is a problem that needs to be addressed, as there is no humiliation in any work whatsoever. Humiliation lies in idleness and hanging on others.