Precis writing is an essential component of the SIDBI Grade A descriptive English section, testing your ability to summarize a passage concisely and accurately. While precis writing seems straightforward, many candidates lose marks by making avoidable mistakes. Here’s a guide to the top 5 mistakes to avoid in SIDBI Grade A precis writing to help you create high-scoring summaries.
Why Avoiding Mistakes Matters in SIDBI Grade A Precis Writing
Scoring high in precis writing requires more than just summarizing; it’s about capturing the passage’s essence clearly and concisely. Each mistake can cost you marks, so understanding and avoiding common pitfalls will ensure your precis stands out.
1. Copying Sentences Directly from the Passage
One of the most common mistakes in precis writing is copying sentences verbatim from the passage. While it might seem easier to lift phrases directly, doing so defeats the purpose of precis writing, which assesses your ability to rephrase and summarize in your own words.
How to Avoid:
Always paraphrase. Rewrite the passage’s ideas in your language to demonstrate your understanding. This approach shows originality and comprehension, two qualities the examiner looks for.
2. Including Unnecessary Details
Another frequent error is including too many details that aren’t essential to the passage’s main idea. The purpose of a precis is to provide a concise summary, so including examples, minor details, or extra descriptions can make it overly long and cluttered.
How to Avoid:
Focus on the passage’s core message and supporting points. Before you write, identify the main idea and relevant points. Avoid adding anything that doesn’t contribute directly to the summary.
3. Adding Personal Opinions or Interpretations
A precis is meant to be an objective summary of the passage, not a place for your thoughts or interpretations. Adding personal opinions can shift the tone and alter the passage’s message, which can lead to a loss of marks.
How to Avoid:
Stick to the author’s perspective. Remember, your task is to convey the passage’s main ideas, not to critique or expand on them. Focus on summarizing rather than analyzing.
4. Ignoring the Author’s Tone and Style
Maintaining the author’s tone and style is essential to creating an accurate precis. Changing the tone, whether by making it overly formal or informal, can affect the precis’s effectiveness and make it seem less authentic.
How to Avoid:
Read the passage carefully and observe the tone. Whether it’s objective, persuasive, or informative, aim to reflect that tone in your summary. This will help maintain the passage’s original message and enhance coherence.
5. Not Staying Within the Word Limit
Precis writing requires brevity. Exceeding the word limit or writing an overly long precis is a common mistake that can cost marks. A precis that is too lengthy fails to demonstrate your ability to summarize effectively.
How to Avoid:
Aim to keep your precis around one-third of the original passage’s length. Focus on essential ideas and avoid verbose or repetitive phrases. Practicing with different word limits will help you master concise writing within the required length.
Quick Recap of Common Mistakes in SIDBI Grade A Precis Writing
To create a strong, effective precis for the SIDBI Grade A exam, remember to:
- Paraphrase instead of copying: Show your understanding by rewriting in your own words.
- Focus on key ideas: Avoid unnecessary examples and minor details.
- Stay objective: Don’t add personal thoughts or interpretations.
- Maintain the author’s tone: Reflect the original passage’s tone and style.
- Adhere to the word limit: Keep your summary brief and on point.
Practice Example: Common Mistakes in Precis Writing
Here’s an example to illustrate avoiding these mistakes:
Original Passage: “Sustainable finance is an approach to financial management that takes into account environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. This practice is gaining popularity as institutions recognize the need for responsible investing. However, sustainable finance faces challenges, including the high cost of implementing ESG standards and the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks. Despite these obstacles, more firms are adopting sustainable practices to align with global standards.”
Mistake-Prone Precis Example: “Sustainable finance, which incorporates ESG factors, is popular but challenging. Personal opinion: It is important because it encourages responsibility. While companies are adopting it, regulatory frameworks are needed to ensure compliance.”
Revised Precis (Avoiding Mistakes): Sustainable finance, which considers environmental, social, and governance factors, is gaining traction as firms adopt responsible practices. Despite challenges like high implementation costs and regulatory needs, more companies are aligning with global ESG standards.
Conclusion
By avoiding these top 5 mistakes, you can improve your precis writing skills and enhance your performance in the SIDBI Grade A descriptive English section. Practicing these strategies will help you create concise, accurate summaries that capture the essence of the passage without losing essential details.
A well-crafted precis demonstrates clarity, comprehension, and conciseness—qualities that will set you apart and boost your SIDBI Grade A score. Practice regularly, stay mindful of these common pitfalls, and you’ll be prepared to tackle precis writing confidently.4o