Chapter 16 – Precis Writing

Definition of Precis Writing

A precis is a short and clear summary of a given passage. It presents the central idea and essential points of the original passage in the writer’s own words. A good precis retains the meaning and spirit of the original passage without changing the author’s views or opinions. It should be brief, logical, clear and coherent.

Points to Remember

Understand the passage: Read the passage carefully at least twice to understand its central idea and purpose.
Identify the main points: Underline the important ideas and leave out unnecessary details, repetitions, examples and explanations.
Use your own words: Express the main ideas in simple, clear and grammatically correct English. Avoid copying complete sentences from the passage.
Maintain the original meaning: Do not change the author’s views, opinions or the central message of the passage.
Follow the one-third rule: A precis should generally be about one-third of the length of the original passage. For example, a passage of 300 words should be reduced to approximately 100 words.
Use the correct style: Write in the third person and use indirect speech. Retain the tense of the original passage.
Maintain sequence and coherence: Present the ideas logically and in a connected manner.
Avoid abbreviations: Do not use short forms or unnecessary symbols.
Give a suitable title: The title should be short and should express the central idea of the passage.
Revise your work: Check the word count, grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure before submitting your answer.

Five Important Tips for PSEB Examination

Read the passage carefully at least twice and understand its central idea.
Identify the main points and remove examples, repetitions and minor details.
Write in your own words using simple and correct English.
Keep the precis approximately one-third of the original passage.
Give a suitable title and check grammar, spelling, punctuation and word count.

Solved Examples

1. Advantages of Meditation

Meditation is a process of concentrating on one’s breathing and connecting with the inner self. Regular practice helps reduce stress and anxiety, improves concentration and brings peace of mind. It makes a person emotionally stable and develops a positive attitude towards life. Gratitude and love replace complaints and resentment, resulting in a calm and balanced personality.

2. Rock Garden

Rock Garden is a beautiful sculpture garden near Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. It was created by Nek Chand and is spread over 40 acres. He started working on it in 1957, and it was opened to the public in 1976. He used recycled industrial and household waste to create sculptures of different forms. Its doorways, archways, courtyards and lanes make it an interesting example of creativity and recycling.

3. Culture of Punjab

Culture of Punjab is one of the oldest and richest in the world. It includes vibrant dances, folk songs, poetry, paintings, architecture, traditions, values, cuisine and folk games. Giddha and Bhangra are its famous folk dances, while Phulkari is its popular embroidery. Punjabis celebrate festivals and traditions with great enthusiasm and have spread their rich cultural heritage across the world.

Exercises for Practice – Answers

1. Female Foeticide

Female foeticide is a serious crime and a violation of a woman’s right to life. It refers to the deliberate killing of a female foetus. This practice is illegal in India and is harmful to society. It disturbs the gender balance and increases the risk of exploitation and violence against women. If not stopped, it may have disastrous consequences for future generations. A balanced gender ratio is essential for a healthy society.

2. Safe Drinking Water During Natural Disasters

Safe drinking water is essential for human and animal health, especially during natural disasters. Droughts, floods and other hazards can damage water sources and interrupt supplies. Therefore, immediate arrangements must be made to provide safe drinking water to affected people. Proper sanitation and personal hygiene are equally important to prevent diseases and epidemics. Standard Operating Procedures guide departments, organisations and communities in taking suitable measures before, during and after disasters.

3. Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities

Every child, including one with disabilities, has the right to education in an appropriate environment. Inclusive education requires suitable infrastructure, ramps, railings and barrier-free access to classrooms, libraries and laboratories. Special learning devices and trained teachers should be provided according to the needs of children. Teachers must also encourage positive attitudes and peer learning among students. Such measures help children with disabilities gain confidence and become an accepted part of the school community.

4. Museum of Sikhism at Anandpur Sahib

The Museum of Sikhism near Takhat Shri Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib was designed by Moshe Safdie and inaugurated in November 2011. It presents more than five hundred years of Sikh heritage through 27 galleries. Audio-visual aids, light and sound shows and audio guides make the experience impressive. The galleries display the culture of Punjab, the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and the creation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh. The museum is an important attraction for visitors.

5. Time Management

Time management means organising and dividing time among different activities. Proper planning increases productivity, reduces stress and helps achieve personal and professional goals. One should distinguish between urgent and important tasks, avoid distractions and follow priorities. Important work should be scheduled during one’s most productive hours. Avoiding multitasking, keeping the workplace organised and reviewing progress regularly also save time. Effective time management enables a person to accomplish more in less time.

6. Tropical Grasslands and Forests

Tropical grasslands and forests are closely related, as changes in climate and rainfall influence their growth. Forests develop in areas with sufficient moisture, while grasslands occur where rainfall is limited. As the climate becomes drier, dense forests gradually change into open woodland and then into grasslands. With further reduction in rainfall, vegetation becomes sparse and eventually gives way to desert. Thus, the nature of vegetation depends largely on the availability of water.

7. Tension Headaches and Sinusitis

Tension headaches are commonly caused by muscle contractions or chemical imbalances in the brain. They produce steady pain and tightness around the head, neck and shoulders. Relaxation techniques such as massage, meditation and bio-feedback may help prevent them. Caffeine should also be avoided if it increases tension. Sinusitis is another cause of headaches, producing dull pain around the eyes, forehead and ears. Its pain often becomes worse when a person bends forward.

8. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 October 2014 to improve sanitation and eliminate open defecation. The campaign aimed to make India open-defecation-free by 2 October 2019 through the construction of toilets and greater public awareness. It covered thousands of cities and towns and continued earlier sanitation initiatives. Swachh Sarvekshan was introduced to assess the cleanliness of cities and encourage healthy competition among them.

9. Harmful Effects of Junk Food

Modern lifestyles encourage people to consume junk and fast food because it is quickly available and convenient. However, such food contains little nutritional value and is often rich in fats and sugar. Regular consumption can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other health problems. It may also cause digestive disorders due to a lack of fibre. Schools and colleges should encourage healthy alternatives such as fresh fruits, juices, sprouts, salads, milk and buttermilk.

10. Democracy

Democracy is a form of government in which people elect their representatives and enjoy equal political rights. It provides freedom of thought, speech and expression and ensures equality before the law. Although the majority forms the government, the rights of minorities must also be respected. Citizens have both rights and duties. Education helps people make wise electoral choices, while social tolerance and cooperation enable them to fight social evils and contribute to national progress.

11. Hobbies and Career Opportunities

A hobby is an activity pursued during leisure for pleasure and relaxation. It may involve indoor or outdoor activities, collecting, creating or learning new skills. With proper training and dedication, many hobbies can become career opportunities. Gardening, reading, music, photography, writing, cooking, fitness and video-making are some examples. However, the primary purpose of a hobby should be enjoyment rather than earning money. Financial benefits may follow when a person develops the necessary skills and expertise.

12. Universal Religion and Freedom of Thought

An effective religion requires enthusiasm but should avoid narrow sectarian divisions. A universal approach should respect different beliefs and allow people to understand spiritual ideals in their own way. Human character is an important expression of divinity, and individuals should be free to follow their beliefs. No person should be rejected because of religious views. Freedom of thought and action, respect for others and the development of a broad and noble character are essential principles of such an approach.

Examination Practice – Final Checklist

Have I understood the central idea of the passage?
Have I included all the important points?
Have I removed unnecessary examples and repetitions?
Have I written the precis in my own words?
Is the length approximately one-third of the original passage?
Have I given a suitable title?
Have I checked grammar, spelling and punctuation?

Remember: A good precis is not merely a shortened passage. It is a clear, logical and complete presentation of the original message in fewer words.