Precis writing / Abstracting / Summarizing

1. Introduction

• In academic and professional communication, it is often necessary to condense lengthy information into a short, clear, and meaningful form without changing its original sense.
  This process helps in understanding, recording, and conveying essential ideas effectively.

The three main techniques used for this purpose are:

1. Precis Writing
2. Abstracting
3. Summarizing

All three aim to present the main ideas of a text concisely, but each has a slightly different purpose and form.

1. PRECIS WRITING

Definition

• A Precis (pronounced pray-see) is a concise summary of a long passage that includes only the main ideas expressed in the writer’s own words and style.
• Precis = the essence of a passage expressed briefly and clearly.

Characteristics of a Good Precis

• It should be about one-third of the original passage.
• It must include only important points, omitting examples, repetition, and unnecessary details.
• It should be written in the writer’s own words.
• It must maintain the tone, meaning, and logical order of the original.
• It should have clarity, coherence, and completeness.
• A suitable title must be given.

Steps in Precis Writing

• Read carefully the entire passage to understand the meaning.
• Identify the main ideas and separate them from details.
• Eliminate repetitions and irrelevant points.
• Make a rough outline of key ideas.
• Write the precis in your own words in a single paragraph.
• Give a short, appropriate title.
• Revise for clarity and grammar.

Example

• Original Passage (100 words): Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. It provides employment to over half the population. However, farmers face problems like low productivity and poor irrigation facilities. The government has launched several schemes to improve yield, such as the Soil Health Card, PM-Kisan, and crop insurance programs, to ensure rural prosperity.
• Precis (about 33 words): Agriculture supports India’s economy and employs most of its people, but low productivity remains a concern. Government schemes aim to improve crop yield and promote rural development.

Importance of Precis Writing

• Helps in understanding and retaining key ideas.
• Improves clarity and organization of thought.
• Useful for preparing reports, summaries, and notes.
• Saves time in reading and reviewing large information.

2. Abstracting

Definition

• Abstracting is the process of condensing a research paper, article, or technical report into a brief summary highlighting objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
• An abstract is a concise representation of a longer scientific or technical document.

Characteristics of an Abstract

• Usually 100–250 words long.
• Includes purpose, scope, methodology, results, and implications.
• Written in objective and factual language.
• Free from personal opinions or examples.
• Enables readers to understand the essence of a study without reading the entire paper.

Types of Abstracts

• Descriptive Abstract: Describes what the document contains; does not include results.
• Inormative Abstract: Presents full information including results and conclusions.

Example

Title: Effect of Biofertilizers on Maize Yield

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Kanpur, to study the effect of biofertilizers on maize yield during 2023. Results revealed that combined application of Azotobacter and PSB increased yield by 18% compared to control. It is concluded that biofertilizers improve maize productivity and sustainability.

Importance of Abstracting

• Saves readers’ time by giving an overview of a study.
• Helps in literature review for research.
• Useful for journals, conferences, and reports.
• Promotes scientific communication and knowledge dissemination.

3. Summarizing

Definition

• Summarizing is the process of presenting the main ideas of a text in brief, in the same order, using one’s own words.
• It includes all essential points but excludes repetition, examples, or explanations.
• Summary = A concise restatement of main points.

Characteristics

• Covers all important ideas from the original.
• Maintains logical order and coherence.
• Written in neutral and objective tone.
• Shorter than the original text but longer than a precis.
• Free from interpretation or analysis.

Steps in Summarizing

• Read the passage thoroughly.
• Identify key points and themes.
• Omit minor or repetitive details.
• Combine related ideas logically.
• Rewrite in your own words briefly.

Example

• Original Passage (80 words): Water is essential for all forms of life. The growing demand for water due to population growth and industrialization has caused scarcity in many regions. Conservation of water is necessary to meet future needs. Techniques such as rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation can help manage this valuable resource efficiently.
• Summary (about 35 words): Water scarcity is increasing due to population and industrial growth. Conservation methods like rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation are vital to ensure sustainable water use.

Importance of Summarizing

• Enhances understanding and memory.
• Saves time by focusing on main ideas.
• Useful in report writing, note-making, and teaching.
• Helps in preparing reviews, project reports, and documentation.

D. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRECIS, ABSTRACT & SUMMARY

Importance in agriculture and extension education

Example: An agricultural extension officer summarizes a field survey report into a short presentation for district-level meetings.