COMPETENCY: Writes a précis/abstract/summary of texts in the various disciplines
What is an Abstract, Precis, or Summary?
Texts are classified as either abstract, precis, or summary, and sometimes as synopsis, are all the same.
These texts aim to precisely condense a larger work to present only the key ideas.
The general rule is to condense the information into around 15% of the original length of the text.
A 6, 000- word research article for an academic journal may require only 200-25- words for its abstract.
Structure of an Abstract
Rationale (around 20%)
Research problems (around 10%)
Methodology (around 20%)
Major Findings (around 40%)
Conclusion and implications (10%)
Guidelines in Writing an Abstract, Precis, or Summary
1. Read the text at least twice.
2. Highlight the key ideas and phrases.
3. Annotate the text.
4. State the author’s name, title of the passage and the main idea at the beginning sentence.
5. Identify use words/phrases indicating that you are presenting an abstract, precis, or summary.
6. Never copy in verbatim a single sentence from the original text.
7. Edit the main ideas to form one paragraph.
8. Refrain from adding comments.
9. Edit your draft abstract, precis, or summary.
10. Compare your output with the original text.
Isaiah 22:22
“Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder,
When he opens no one will shut,
When he shuts no one will open.”