Write+a+Precis


 * Overview.** Select a high-quality source on the topic you are exploring and write a precis. A precis is a carefully composed summary in your own words of the specific points embedded in the reading.

1. You have made an appropriate choic that relates in some way to your research project. 2. Your precis offers a specific summary of the key arguments, information and ideas. 3. You have followed the guidelines about writing a precis. 4. The quality of the writing is perfect with no spelling, usage or grammatical errors 5. Your precis is about 250 - 400 words in length. DUE: March 29
 * Criteria for Evaluation**

Learn More about the Research Process Here

Please post your precis on this website with a name and title here.

SUBHEAD NAME, STUDENT NAME

One of the Most Shameful Episodes in Journalistic History, Rachael Edwards

Talk Radio's domination of Blue Dog States Ben Hyclak

Duped! When journalists fall for fake news Corrida Tutt

Cults and Politics: Propagandizing Russia's Youth Gabe Ruggiero

Manufacturing Consent Juliette Monteleone

The Video News Release, Opening The Audiences Eyes Dan Magerr

@VOA's News and Information Critical to U.S. interests Josh Widener

Building a Street Team Linda Suh

The Hidden (in Plain Sight) Persuaders Nomi Leasure

Operation Hollywood Aaron Kessler

Charlie Sheen's Publicist by Byron

Negative Publicity and Sales Duvell Hill

X by Carl Graham

Another Way To Get Inside Our Heads Natalie Cipolle

Monsanto: Strong-Arming Its Way Into Your Homes Patrick Coady

Going Guerilla Courtney B Dozor by Jason Bowman
 * Advice on Writing a Precis**

A précis (pronounced “prā – sē”) is a short summary of a book, article or other informational source. Usually it is one-sixth the length of the original material. That is, it should have one page for every six pages in the original article. The student recounts the basic arguments of the paper.

The précis is valuable because it forces the student to express a story or a thesis in his or her own words. Being to able to restate something using one’s own words indicates an understanding of the original work. Teachers therefore use a précis to determine whether a student understands what has been read.

The précis also provides the student with a concise review of the material. A précis gives the student material to study to refresh his or her memory about the original text. Here are some things to consider when reading a text and then writing a précis:


 * Take notes while reading, especially when reading nonfiction. The topic sentences of nonfiction articles can form the skeleton of the précis.
 * Avoid interjecting personal opinions. The purpose of a précis is to summarize another person’s argument, not to tell about your “favorite part” of the article (A précis is not the same thing as a “response” paper.)
 * Do not use any examples not used in the original paper; do not add support or question the author’s arguments
 * Do not use quotes, phrases or the author's wording in your precis: all the writing in your precis must be your own
 * Make sure the key points of the paper are included and clearly explained (without changing the intent of the original work).

Writing a précis is an excellent study skill. It forces the reader to wrestle with the story or the argument and read for comprehension. It also aids in the preparation of later papers in response to the original text.