Precis Writing - 2 | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

A précis is an intelligent summary of a long passage. It aims to test your understanding of the passage. Since it is a summary, it is always shorter than the main passage. It expresses only the main themes as briefly as possible.
We promise you that you will find everything you need to write a good precis. Here, we present you 12 quality examples of precise writing with word count, rough drafts, headings and word limits.

Examples of Précis Writing - 1

There is an enemy beneath our feet—an enemy more deadly for his complete impartiality. He recognizes no national boundaries, and no political parties. Everyone in the world is threatened by him. The enemy is the Earth itself. When an earthquake strikes, the world trembles. The power of a quake is greater than anything man himself can produce.
But today scientists are directing a great deal of their effort into finding some way of combating earthquakes and, perhaps at some time shortly, mankind will have discovered a means of protecting itself from earthquakes. An earthquake strikes without warning. When it does, its power is immense. If it strikes a modern city, the damage it causes is as great as if it has struck a primitive village. Gas mains burst, explosions are caused and fires are started. Underground railways are wrecked. Buildings collapse, bridges fall, dams burst and gaping crevices appear in busy streets.
If the quake strikes at sea, huge tidal waves sweep inland. If it strikes mountain regions, avalanches roar down into the valley. Consider the terrifying statistics from the past 1755: Lisbon, capital of Portugal—the city was destroyed entirely and 450 killed; 1970: Peru—50,000 killed. In 1968, an earthquake struck Alaska. As this is a relatively unpopulated part, only a few people were killed. But this likely was one of the most powerful quakes ever to have hit the world.
Geologists estimate that during the tremors, the whole of the state moved over 80 feet farther west into the Pacific Ocean. Imagine the power of something that can move an entire subcontinent! This is the problem that scientists face. They are dealing with forces so immense that man cannot hope to resist them. All that can be done is to try to pinpoint just where the earthquake will strike and work from there. At least some precautionary measures can then be taken to save lives and some property. (329 words)
Rough Draft

• Earthquake poses a severe threat to mankind due to its unpredictable nature.
• Scientists are actively working on finding ways to counteract earthquakes.
• The damage caused by earthquakes is extensive, affecting both urban and rural areas.
• Historical data reveals catastrophic events, such as the complete destruction of Lisbon in 1755 and a significant earthquake in Alaska in 1968.
• The challenge for scientists is dealing with the immense forces unleashed during earthquakes.

Title: Earthquake—the enemy beneath our feet
Earthquakes, with their unpredictable nature, pose a severe threat to mankind. Scientists are tirelessly working on solutions to counteract these destructive forces. Historical data highlights the extensive damage caused by earthquakes, emphasizing the need for precautionary measures to save lives and property.

Examples of Précis Writing - 2

Coffee is traditionally grown in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu in India. It is predominantly an export-oriented commodity and 65% to 70% of the coffee produced in the country is exported, while the rest is consumed within the country. In the international market, Indian Robusta is highly preferred for its good blending quality. Arabica coffee from India is also well-received in the international market.
Coffee is an export product with low import intensity and high employment content. This is evident from the fact that more than six lakh persons are directly employed and an equal number of individuals get indirect employment from this sector. Arabica is a mild coffee, but the beans are more aromatic; it has a higher market value compared to Robusta beans.
On the other hand, Robusta has more strength and is therefore used in making various blends. Arabica is grown in higher altitudes than Robusta. The cool and equable temperature, ranging between 15°C and 25°C, is suitable for Arabica, while for Robusta, a hot and humid climate with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C is suitable.
Arabica requires more care and nurture and is more suitable for large holdings, whereas Robusta is suitable irrespective of the size of the farm. Arabica is susceptible to pests and diseases such as White Stem Borer, and leaf rust, and requires more shade than Robusta. The harvest of Arabica takes place between November and January, while for Robusta, it is from December to February. (240 words)
Rough Draft

• Coffee production in India is concentrated in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• More than six lakh people are directly employed in the coffee sector, with Arabica and Robusta being the primary varieties.
• Arabica, known for its aroma, requires more care and higher altitudes, while Robusta is hardier and suitable for various blends.
• The harvest seasons for Arabica and Robusta differ, occurring between November to January and December to February, respectively.

Title: Coffee in India
Coffee production in India, primarily in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, engages over six lakh people. Arabica and Robusta, the main varieties, have distinct characteristics, demanding different care. The harvest seasons vary, emphasizing the diversity and economic significance of the Indian coffee industry.

Examples of Précis Writing - 3

When we survey our lives and efforts, we soon observe that almost the whole of our actions and desires are bound up with the existence of other human beings. We notice that the whole of nature resembles that of social animals. We eat food that others have produced, wear clothes that others have made, and live in houses that others have built. The greater part of our knowledge and beliefs has been passed on to us by other people through the medium of a language that others have created. Without language and mental capacities, we would have been poor indeed comparable to higher animals.
We have therefore to admit that we owe our principal knowledge over the least to the fact of living in human society. The individual if left alone from birth would remain primitive and beast-like in his thoughts and feelings to a degree that we can hardly imagine. The individual is what he is and has the significance that he has not much in virtue of individuality, but rather as a member of a great human community, which directs his material and spiritual existence from the cradle to the grave. (193 words)
Rough Draft

• Human lives and desires are intricately tied to the existence of others.
• Nature reflects the social nature of human beings.
• Language, a product of society, plays a crucial role in passing on knowledge.
• Individuality gains significance within the context of human society, guiding material and spiritual existence.

Title: Man and society
Human lives and desires are interconnected with society, reflecting the social nature ingrained in humanity. Language, a societal creation, is pivotal for knowledge transmission. Individuality gains significance within the framework of human society, shaping both material and spiritual aspects of existence.

Examples of Précis Writing - 4

One of our most difficult problems is what we call to discipline and it is really very complex. You see, society feels that it must control or discipline the citizen, and shape his mind according to certain religious, social, moral, and economic patterns.
Now, is discipline necessary at all? Please listen carefully. Don’t immediately say YES or NO. Most of us feel, especially while we are young, that there should be no discipline, that we should be allowed to do whatever we like and we think that is freedom. But merely to say that we should be free and so on has very little meaning without understanding the whole problem of discipline.
The keen athlete is disciplining himself the whole time, isn’t he? His joy in playing games and the very necessity to keep fit make him go to bed early, refrain from smoking, eat the right food, and generally observe the rules of good health. His discipline and punctuality are not an imposition but a natural outcome of his enjoyment of athletics. (171 words)
Rough Draft

• Discipline, viewed as complex, is essential for societal control and citizen molding.
• Society shapes minds according to religious, social, moral, and economic patterns.
• The necessity of discipline is explored beyond a simple dichotomy of freedom and imposition.
• Discipline is depicted as a natural outcome, evident in the habits of a dedicated athlete.

Title: The Importance of Discipline
Discipline, often disliked, plays a crucial role in societal control and citizen molding. It transcends the simplistic view of freedom versus imposition, presenting itself as a natural outcome, as seen in the disciplined habits of dedicated athletes.

Examples of Précis Writing - 5

Teaching is one of the noblest professions. A teacher performs the sacred duty of making his students responsible, compassionate, and disciplined. Apart from developing their intellect, a teacher is also responsible for inculcating the qualities of good citizenship, cleanliness, politeness, and etiquette. These virtues are not easy to be imbibed. Only a person who himself leads a quality life characterized by simplicity, purity, and rigid discipline can successfully cultivate these habits in his pupils.
A teacher always remains young at heart, although he may grow old age. Perpetual contact with budding youngsters keeps him hale and hearty. There are moments when domestic worries weigh heavily on his mind, but the delightful company of innocent children makes him overcome his transient moods of despair. (126 words)
Rough Draft

• Teaching is a noble profession focused on cultivating responsible, compassionate, and disciplined students.
• A teacher's role extends beyond intellectual development to instilling qualities like good citizenship, cleanliness, and politeness.
• A teacher's virtuous life serves as a model for students, contributing to their character development.
• The perpetual interaction with young minds keeps a teacher emotionally youthful.

Title: Being a Teacher
Teaching, a noble profession, involves molding responsible and disciplined students. Beyond intellectual development, teachers instill virtues like good citizenship, using their virtuous lives as a model for character development. The perpetual interaction with young minds keeps teachers emotionally youthful.

Examples of Précis Writing - 6

A recent visit to the Arctic region brought me face-to-face with the problem of global warming. It made me realize how massive the change is and how grave its consequences will be for all. The ice caps in the Polar Regions are melting rapidly due to deforestation and the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If steps are not taken soon, the rising water levels will submerge all the landmasses.
Ozone depletion is another serious consequence of global warming. These holes or breaches in the protective cover of our planet let harmful UV rays reach us unfiltered. They in turn cause health hazards that are very difficult to treat. Awareness of these effects of our actions and sustainable steps to prevent them is the need of the hour. (134 Words)
Rough Draft

• A recent visit to the Arctic highlighted the severity of global warming and its potential consequences.
• Rapid melting of ice caps due to deforestation and rising carbon dioxide levels poses a significant threat.
• Ozone depletion is another consequence, allowing harmful UV rays to reach the Earth, leading to health hazards.
• Urgent awareness and sustainable actions are required to mitigate the effects of our actions.

Title: Global Warming
The recent Arctic visit underscores the critical threat of global warming, manifesting in rapid ice cap melting and ozone depletion. Urgent awareness and sustainable actions are essential to counteract the potential consequences, emphasizing the need for immediate global attention.