Directions for writing a précis

Directions for writing a précis

Head each précis with the MLA-style citation for the article or book. A good précis has four to five sentences. Each sentence centers on a strong action verb. Avoid “to be” verbs and weak verbs such as “says,” “writes,” “does.” These verbs do not usually express either how the author approached the writing of the article or how the article “works” rhetorically. (See “Time to liven up those Verbs.”)

Sentence 1:
Name of author, [optional: a phrase describing the author], the genre and title of the work, date in parentheses (additional publishing information in parentheses or note), a rhetorically accurate verb (such as "assert," "argue," "suggest," "imply," "claim," etc.), and a THAT clause containing the major assertion (thesis statement) of the work.

Sentence 2:
An explanation of how the author develops and/or supports the thesis usually in chronological order.

Sentence 3:
A statement of the author’s apparent purpose, followed by an "in order" phrase.

Sentence 4:
A description of the intended audience and/or the relationship the author establishes with the audience. (54)

SAMPLE

Baker, Sheridan. “Attitudes.” Journal 22(1966): 125-39.

In “Attitudes” (1966), Sheridan Baker asserts that writers’ attitudes toward their subjects, their audiences, and themselves powerfully influence the quality of their prose. Baker supports his assertion with examples that show how inappropriate attitudes can make writing unclear, pompous, or boring. He concludes that good writers respect their audiences, are aware of their readers’ needs, and remain “amiable toward human failings” (58). Baker’s purpose is to make his readers aware that negative attitudes can sabotage their attempts to become better writers. He establishes an informal relationship with his audience of college students who are interested in learning to write with conviction (55).