How To Write A Rhetorical Precis?

What is precis? The word precis is derived from the French word précis, which means the essence. So, how do you define précis? A precis is the summary or abstract of a text or speech.

What is a Rhetorical Precis?

What is rhetorical precis? In this section, our expert academic writers will help you fully understand the rhetorical precis definition. So, what is a precis? Precis is derived from the French word précis, which means the essence. So, how do you define précis?

A precis is the summary or abstract of a text or speech. However, a rhetorical precis differs from a summary in some ways. It is less natural and more analytically condenses the method and content of the original text.

To make it clearer, if we think of a summary as a brief declaration of what a text says, then we may consider a rhetorical precis to be a concise declaration of both what a text says and does. A rhetorical précis is less common than a summary. However, it comes in handy when you have to sum up how well you understand how a text world rhetorically.

I bet you now know how to define precis. The precis definition may differ from article to article, but the precis meaning and general idea remain the same. In precis writing, you have to use a power verb. You, as the precis writer, will determine which power verb to use.

Rhetorical Precis Format

What is the best precis format to use? Here, I’ll show you the best rhetorical precis outline that will help you to write the perfect rhetorical precis. Let us explore this precis outline.

1. Introduction

   The first precis paragraph is the introduction. Here, you have the author’s name, the text title, and the publishing date (in parentheses). Use power verbs to describe the author’s work and how it relates to your thesis.

2. Body

   The subsequent precis paragraphs explain different sections of the original text. It provides the evidence, purpose, and ideas of the author. Feel free to use quotes, but be brief and attribute them correctly. Do not avoid deviation from the message of the original work.

3. Conclusion

   Your conclusion should reiterate the main idea. Be succinct and remember to avoid any personal statements about the original piece.

How to Write a Rhetorical Precis

Would you like to know how to write a precis? You’ll be given a precis template that will help you in writing a precis. This guide will show you how to write a precis step by step. There are three formats you can apply whenever you want to write a precis.

Examples of some power verbs are: argues, asserts, believes, claims, declares, identifies the fact, points out, reports, states, reveals, suggests, illustrates, expounds the idea, and so on.

A general rule is that you should be original in writing your sentences about the text, as this goes a long way in determining the quality of your precis. Let’s explore the precis template below. Try your hands on different template types so that you sound unique every time you write. Let’s explore the rhetorical precis rubric below

Template 1

• In the (text type), (text title) (year of publication), author (author’s first & last name), (credentials of author), asserts that (the argument) and suggests (followed by the explanation of the sub-claims or resolution).
• He/she proves this claim is right by doing the following: first, he/she _______; next, he/she ________; last, he/she ________.
• (Author’s last name) seems to write in expectations of (state the purpose of the author’s writing) in order to (state the author’s aim)
• Because of the author’s ________ tone, it seems as if he/she writes for a _______ and _______ audience.

Template 2

• In his/her (type of text) (title of text) (year of publication), (credentials of author) (fist and last name of author) asserts that (state the argument) by addressing ________, ________, and ________.
• By giving the reader information about ________ and _______, (state the last name of the author) shapes his/her claims about ________.
• (Name of author) wishes to show his/her readers the importance of (state the purpose of the author’s writing) so as to (state the author’s aim).
• The audience of the author possibly consists of that have interests in _______ as evidenced in his/her references to _______ and _______; he/she addresses his/her readers with a _______ and _______tone.

Template 3

• (Credentials of the author), (first and last name of author), in his/her (type of text), (title of text), published in (info on the publishing), addresses the (state the topic of the text) and claims that (argument).
• He/she supports this argument by ___________, then ___________, and finally ____________.
• (State author’s last name) purpose is to (state the author’s purpose in writing) so as to (state the author’s aim).
• He/she adopts a(n) __________ manner of tone for his/her readers of (state the details of the publication) and others that have interest in the topic of ______________.

Example of Rhetorical Precis

Let’s examine the rhetorical precis example below.

In her essay, titled “Plain Jane’s Progress” (1977), Dr. Sandra Gilbert advocates that Charlotte Brontë wrote in a such a way that the character, Jane Eyre, will bear striking resemblance to John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. This is because of Jane’s pilgrimage through various events…(continue with thesis statement)

She ascertains an official relationship with her audience which are literary scholars that are familiar with the work of Brontë, Bunyan, and Lord Byron. These literary scholars are also interested in feminist criticism and are fascinated and captivated by the feminist theory as it relates to Victorian literature (conclusion)

In the sample precis above, the name of the author, title of the essay, year of essay release, and power verb are all italicized. The precis then continues with the body and ends with the conclusion.

But how long should a precis be? There is no fixed number of words for a precis. It can be about 100-200 words or roughly one-fifth of the length of the original text.

So, What is a Critical Precis

A critical precis is an elucidative writing style that is similar in structure to an essay. This type of essay, however, contains a summary of another text. The write up gives an overview of the main ideas, arguments, and abstractions within the text. This text is summarized into a passage of considerably shorter length and provides insight into the thesis of the original author.

Now that you know the definition of precis and how to write a precis, you should have no problem writing an engaging article or book precis. You just need to choose good research sources. Make use of these tips and bring that A+ home! Best of luck!