Important Techniques to Compress the Given Data for Precis Writing

Read basics of Precis writing here. 

A good precis is without all superfluities. This is not quite easy to achieve and requires a lot of patience, hard work and practice. Certain devices, like one word substitution, help to reduce words in a precis and assists in compressing it. 

Something a single word is sufficient fro many. Hence the more one-words you know, the better for you. This requires vocabulary development which extensive reading and god dictionaries and other sources can provide.

For clear understanding, have a look at the following examples.

• One who is not professional - Amateur
• An assembly of hearers - Audience
• A battle or match in which neither party wins - Drawn
• Fit to be eaten - Edible
• That which cannot be conquered - Invincible

Sentences can be compressed in two ways 

1. by removing redundancies and ornamental expressions, and
2. by combining a number of sentences into one sentence.

Examples :

• When sorrows come, they do not come alone but in battalions 
• you can compress the above sentence and simplify it as Misfortunes never come alone
• The thunder-storm continued unabated and did not cease until after it was dawn
• you can compress the above sentence and simplify it as The thunder-storm continued till dawn
• I was standing at the gate. it was the time of sunset. At that time a carriage drew up. The carriage contained a gentleman. The gentleman was middle aged. 
• you can compress the above sentence and simplify it as While I was standing at the gate at sunset, a carriage containing a middle-aged gentleman drew up.

A paragraph consists of a number of sentences dealing with a single topic or idea. It has thus a unity of purpose and is quite easy to summarize. The first sentence generally states the theme. Each sentence develops the subject in a logical manner. All sentences which elaborate or explain the main idea are omitted while writing a precis. We deal only with the crux of the paragraph.