Precis writing is an essential skill in the ECGC PO exam, as it tests both comprehension and conciseness. Scoring high in this section requires not only understanding the passage but also expressing its essence clearly and concisely. Here, we’ll cover the key aspects of precis writing, provide step-by-step instructions, and share tips to enhance your performance.
Introduction to Precis Writing
Precis writing involves condensing a lengthy passage into a shorter summary while maintaining the original meaning and key points. In the ECGC PO exam, it’s critical to show clarity and coherence within a limited word count. By mastering precis writing, you demonstrate your ability to process information efficiently, a skill highly valued in banking roles.
1. Understanding the Purpose of Precis Writing
In exams like ECGC PO, the purpose of precis writing is to evaluate how well you can understand complex information and distill it into its essentials. A well-written precis:
- Captures the main idea without losing key points.
- Uses a formal, concise style.
- Avoids personal opinions or interpretations, focusing solely on the author’s message.
Mastering precis writing demonstrates your ability to handle vast information, a skill that’s especially relevant in fields like finance and risk management.
2. Key Rules for Writing a Good Precis
To achieve a high score in precis writing, follow these essential rules:
- Read Carefully: Start by reading the passage thoroughly to grasp its primary idea and the tone. Understanding the author’s intent is crucial for summarizing accurately.
- Identify Key Points: Note down main points and supporting details. Identify the theme and how the arguments are structured.
- Avoid Redundancies: Precis writing is about eliminating unnecessary information, so avoid details, examples, or repetitions that do not contribute to the main idea.
- Write in Third Person: Always use third-person language, as precis writing demands an objective approach.
- Stay Within the Word Limit: Aim to compress the passage to one-third of its original length, or within the specified word count for the ECGC PO exam.
- Use Your Own Words: Avoid direct phrases from the original passage; instead, rephrase the ideas in your own language while retaining the author’s intended meaning.
Following these guidelines ensures your precis is clear, concise, and aligned with the author’s perspective.
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Precis
A structured approach simplifies precis writing and improves precision. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Read and Comprehend the Passage
Read the passage multiple times to grasp its theme, tone, and central message. Look for keywords, phrases, and recurring themes.
Step 2: Highlight Key Ideas
Identify the main points and supporting arguments. A good precis retains only the core points that contribute to the overall message.
Step 3: Create an Outline
Draft an outline of your precis. Group similar points, eliminate redundancies, and arrange them in a logical flow that mirrors the passage’s structure.
Step 4: Write the Precis
- Begin with a Title: A title that reflects the main idea of the passage.
- Use Clear, Formal Language: Start with an introductory sentence summarizing the topic, then move into the body where each key point is covered briefly.
- Maintain the Original Tone: If the passage is analytical, your precis should reflect that tone.
Step 5: Edit for Clarity and Brevity
After drafting, check for clarity, coherence, and brevity. Make sure your precis captures the essence of the passage without any personal input or extraneous details.
This approach helps you present a refined precis that adheres to exam guidelines.
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid in Precis Writing
Avoid these mistakes to score well:
- Adding Personal Opinions: Stick strictly to the author’s points without introducing personal perspectives.
- Exceeding the Word Limit: Always stay within the prescribed limit; exceeding it indicates poor summarization skills.
- Inadequate Focus on Main Idea: Focus on the core message instead of minor details or examples.
- Copying Text Verbatim: Use your own words to demonstrate understanding, as direct copying may result in penalties.
These mistakes can reduce clarity and impact, so avoiding them will enhance your precis quality.
5. Sample Precis Writing for ECGC PO
Here’s a sample precis to illustrate the steps and tips:
Original Passage: (Assume this passage is about 300 words, focusing on economic challenges and solutions.)
Sample Precis:
Title: Challenges in Economic Stability and Solutions
The passage discusses economic instability and potential measures to mitigate it. It highlights key challenges, such as inflation, unemployment, and government debt, which strain financial resources. The author suggests that targeted fiscal policies and structural reforms are essential to address these issues, especially in sectors like manufacturing and infrastructure. Moreover, the importance of fostering global trade relations is emphasized as a way to create more jobs and stimulate economic growth. By addressing these challenges through policy reforms and trade partnerships, countries can work towards a more stable and prosperous economy.
Explanation: This precis captures the main ideas, focusing on challenges and solutions without including minor details or examples.
6. Tips for Scoring High in ECGC PO Precis Writing
Implement these tips to maximize your precis score:
- Practice Regularly: Use passages from newspapers or finance magazines for practice. Start with passages on current affairs or economic analysis, as these are common in the ECGC PO exam.
- Time Your Practice: Precis writing in exams is time-bound, so practice under timed conditions to manage time effectively.
- Get Feedback: Reviewing feedback on your precis practice is invaluable. At Bank Whizz, we offer detailed feedback on all your submissions, helping you improve.
- Use Simple Language: Aim for clarity. Avoid complex sentences that could obscure the meaning.
- Stay Neutral: Precis writing should mirror the passage’s perspective, so avoid language that may introduce bias or alter the original tone.
These tips will make your precis clear, concise, and aligned with the ECGC PO scoring criteria.
7. Recommended Resources for Precis Writing Practice
For consistent practice and improvement, we recommend the following resources:
- Bank Whizz Precis Writing Practice Sets: These sets contain passages similar to the ECGC PO exam and come with sample answers for self-evaluation.
- The Hindu and Economic Times: Articles from these sources provide ideal practice material, especially for financial and economic topics.
- Grammar and Writing Tools: Grammarly and ProWritingAid can help polish grammar and clarity, essential for concise writing.
Bank Whizz provides curated precis practice exercises, ensuring you focus on exam-relevant material and improve continuously.
Conclusion
Mastering precis writing for the ECGC PO exam requires consistent practice, a clear understanding of rules, and the ability to capture core ideas concisely. With a structured approach, focused practice, and resources like those offered at Bank Whizz, you can refine your precis-writing skills and score high in the descriptive section. Join our ECGC PO Descriptive Course to gain access to practice materials, expert feedback, and tips that will guide you to success.