A precis is a brief summary of a larger work. The term "abstract" has the same meaning, but I prefer the term precis because of its relation to the word "precise," and because of the way the word is pronounced: "pray-see." A precis is a precise condensation of the basic thesis and major points of a paper; it tells the reader the gist of what has been said. In other words, a precis answers the question: "what's this paper saying?"

Precis are difficult to write if you are not used to doing them because they require a real exactness in your understanding of what is being said. But their difficulty is an indication of their importance. If you are writing a paper, you need to be able to restate in one paragraph exactly what you are trying to say in the paper. If you can't, you don't have a sure handle on what you are thinking and writing. The same is true of an article you are reading: if you can't restate the article's thesis and major points in one efficient and coherent paragraph, you don't understand that article. A precis, then, is a discipline, a way of training your mind. Like most disciplines, it is difficult and even frustrating at the beginning, but with time it becomes easier and the results more significant.

How do you write a precis or abstract?

1. First, speak in direct, assertive language. Don’t list to topics the article covered; list the basic points made about those topics. However, you are not arguing your points or explaining them, just stating them in simple declarative statement. Don't refer to the author ("Merchant said that..."), just state directly what the author said.

2. Second, identify and communicate to the reader
(a) the overall thesis of the essay,
(b) the major sections of the essay,
(c) those key points of the essay.

Always ask yourself two questions:
(1) Is this a major point of the paper, one that is directly related to the main thesis?
(2) How do I state the point in the most direct, simple, and efficient way?

Keep in mind the goal: communicating to the reader (and yourself) the main thesis, sections, and points in the most succinct form.

Note: Precis should be typed and double-spaced with one-inch margins.

What I look for in a great precis:

1. Is it comprehensive, touching on all the main sections and key points?

2. Is it a accurate in communicating the key points?

3. Is it efficient, saying a lot in a brief way?

4. Is the presentation clear to the reader?

5. Is the writing, grammar, spelling, etc., correct?

EXAMPLES OF A PRECIS BY A STUDENT ES 490: SENIOR SEMINAR

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Restoring America’s Wildlife

Wildlife survival has come a long way since the 1930s when forests were demolished, grasslands were plowed under, and wildlife slaughtering was depleting wildlife. On September 2, 1937 the Pittman-Robertson Act (or Wildlife Restoration Act) was signed into law which made a ten percent tax on firearms and ammunition be used for wildlife restoration. Progress of the P-R Act was not actually seen until about the 1950’s when population sizes were finally being rebuilt. The P-R Act has already put forth large amounts of money for wildlife conservation. One of the ideas is to use science to aid in conserving wildlife. Money from the P-R Act has been used to buy, develop, maintain, and operate wildlife management areas. Surveys and research money from the act is used to better understand wildlife. Non-hunters and non-game animals are also benefiting from the surplus of money being put into wildlife. Many people who just like to view animals are being met with the P-R Act as well. The R-P Act is helping in the education of hunters and working with the Migratory Bird Conservation Act and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act to provide benefits for wildlife.

>> This is the first item that I came across so far that includes legislation that pertains to wildlife. It’s nice to see that there are acts that help to conserve wildlife for years to come.

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