Précis Writing: Class 7th English Notes

What is Précis Writing?

Précis writing is the art of summarizing a long passage into a short, clear, and concise paragraph. The word “précis” comes from French, meaning “precise” or “to the point.” It is a way to express the main ideas of a text without including unnecessary details, examples, or repetitions. Imagine you’re telling a friend the main points of a story without going into every little thing that happened—that’s what précis writing is like!

In Class 7th, précis writing helps you improve your reading, understanding, and writing skills. It teaches you how to pick out what’s important and write it in your own words.

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Why Do We Write a Précis?

1. To Save Time: A précis gives the essence of a text quickly, so readers don’t have to go through the whole thing.
2. To Understand Better: Summarizing forces you to think about what the passage really means.
3. To Improve Writing: It helps you write clearly and avoid extra words.
4. To Test Comprehension: Teachers use it to see if you’ve understood a lesson or story.

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Features of a Good Précis

1. Short: A précis is usually one-third the length of the original passage (e.g., a 300-word passage becomes about 100 words).
2. Clear: The meaning should be easy to understand.
3. Complete: It must include all the main ideas of the original text.
4. In Your Own Words: Don’t copy sentences directly—rewrite them!
5. No Personal Opinions: Stick to what the author says, not what you think.

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Steps to Write a Précis

Here’s a simple guide to help you write a précis step-by-step:

Step 1: Read the Passage Carefully

• Read the passage at least twice.
• The first time, get a general idea of what it’s about.
• The second time, focus on understanding the main points and details.

Step 2: Identify the Main Idea

• Ask yourself: What is the passage trying to say? What’s the big point?
• Look for the topic sentence (usually at the start or end of a paragraph).
• Ignore examples, long explanations, or extra details.

Step 3: Make Rough Notes

• Jot down the key points in short phrases or words.
• For example, if the passage is about “saving water,” note things like “water scarcity,” “ways to save,” “why it’s important.”

Step 4: Write the Précis

• Use your notes to write a short paragraph.
• Combine the main points into full sentences.
• Use simple words and keep it to the point.

Step 5: Check the Length

• Count the words in the original passage.
• Aim to make your précis about one-third of that length.
• If it’s too long, remove extra words or less important points.

Step 6: Revise

• Read your précis to see if it makes sense on its own.
• Check for spelling or grammar mistakes.
• Make sure you haven’t added your own ideas.

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Tips for Writing a Great Précis

1. Use Simple Language: Avoid big or fancy words. Write like you’re explaining to a friend.
2. Avoid Repetition: Don’t repeat the same idea twice.
3. Stick to Third Person: Write “he/she said” or “the author explains,” not “I think.”
4. Don’t Copy: Rewrite everything in your own words.
5. Keep the Order: Follow the sequence of ideas from the original passage.

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Example of Précis Writing

Original Passage (150 words)

Water is one of the most important resources on Earth. It is used for drinking, cooking, farming, and making things in factories. However, many places in the world face water scarcity because of pollution, overuse, and climate change.

For example, rivers dry up, and people waste water by leaving taps open. Experts say we must save water to avoid problems in the future. Simple steps like fixing leaks, using less water for bathing, and collecting rainwater can help. In villages, people dig wells, but this is not enough. Factories should also stop throwing waste into rivers. If we don’t act now, our children might not have enough water to live.

The government can teach people about saving water through ads and school programs. Everyone must work together to protect this precious resource before it’s too late.Shorten with AI

Précis (50 words)

Water is vital for life, but scarcity is a growing problem due to pollution, overuse, and climate change. To save water, people should fix leaks, use less, and collect rainwater. Factories must stop polluting rivers, and the government should educate people. Collective action is needed to ensure water for the future.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Copying Sentences: Always rewrite in your own words.
2. Adding Opinions: Don’t say “I think this is bad”—just summarize.
3. Missing Main Points: Make sure all key ideas are included.
4. Making It Too Long: Keep it short and sweet.
5. Using First Person: Avoid “I” or “we” unless the passage does.

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Practice Exercise

Here’s a short passage for you to practice. Try writing a précis in about 30-40 words.

Passage (120 words)

Forests are called the lungs of the Earth because they give us oxygen. They are home to many animals and plants. Sadly, people cut down trees for wood, paper, and to build houses. This destroys animal homes and increases air pollution. For example, in some places, birds and tigers have no place to live. We can save forests by planting more trees and using less paper. The government should make strict rules against cutting trees. Schools can teach children to love nature. If we don’t protect forests, the air will get dirtier, and animals will disappear. Everyone should help to keep forests alive.

Your Task: Write a précis and check if it captures the main ideas!

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Key Vocabulary for Précis Writing

• Summary: A short version of something longer.
• Main Idea: The most important point of a passage.
• Concise: Short but full of meaning.
• Paraphrase: Say something in your own words.
• Essence: The core or heart of an idea.

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Why Précis Writing is Fun

Précis writing is like solving a puzzle! You get to figure out what’s most important and fit it into a small space. It’s also a superpower—imagine summarizing a long book for your friends in just a few sentences. With practice, you’ll get better and faster at it!

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Conclusion

Précis writing is an important skill for Class 7th students. It helps you read carefully, think clearly, and write smartly. By following the steps—reading, noting, writing, and revising—you can master it. Practice with different passages, like stories, articles, or even your textbook lessons. Soon, you’ll be a précis-writing expert!

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