A STUDENT'S GUIDE TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

                                                                                                                  

A précis is another word for a summary but unlike a summary it is specific. Writing précis gives training in careful reading as it develops one's capacity to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential details.  One needs to describe as accurately and briefly as possible the substance or main ideas contained in a text.  In the ICSE examination, you are to lift points from some specific parts of the passage. Remember, your précis has to be of 60 words only. Be careful in deciding which are the relevant parts and which not. Sometimes the question even mentions which paragraphs you are supposed to refer to. Prepare a draft with pencil in a grid of 60 cells (5 columns x 12 rows). Make necessary edits and corrections. Then make a final copy in ink. Remember not to exceed 60 words. Nor should it be fewer than 58 words. GUIDELINES 1. To write an effective précis, read the passage several times for a full understanding. 2. Note key points. It may, in fact, be

(CLICK ON THIS FORMAT AND IT WILL OPEN AS A CLEAR PICTURE. RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE IT THEREAFTER.)  Keep in mind the following things. 1. The letter must begin with the sender’s address: a three-line address in the above format. (House no., Area, City.) Punctuation must be taken care of. 2. The date should be written as either July 8, 2016 or 8 th July, 2016. 3. The salutation should always be ‘Dear ____(first name of the receiver)’. In case of parents, ‘Dear Father’ or ‘Dear Mother’ must be used. 4. Write 3 to 4 paragraphs. The first paragraph must include an informal greeting and reference to the purpose of the letter briefly.          5. The second and third paragraphs must include the main content. One must strictly adhere to what has been asked in the question. There are marks reserved for closing sentence too. 6. The subscription could be one of these:             Yours lovingly, Yours affectionately, Your loving son/daughter, Your loving friend,

1. No sooner did she finish cooking than her son shouted he was hungry. OR No sooner had she finished cooking than her son shouted he was hungry. 2. She asked John whom he had met the previous day. 3. Rohit exclaimed that he had done very/extremely well. 4. Nothing but hard work can help you achieve the best. 5. The movie was too bad to be sat through till the end. OR The movie was too bad for me to sit through it till the end. 6. Two final witnesses were heard by the judge before writing the sentence. 7. In all probability, it will rain today. 8. It is said that he is wrongly accused. 9. This bicycle is not only strong, but also stylish. 10. Few other diseases are as deadly as cancer. 11. Before adding the concentrate, (you should) stir the mixture well. 12. Steps for preserving the monuments are being taken by the government. OR Steps for preservation of the monuments are being taken by the government.

Solve this worksheet yourself: 1. Hardly had she finished cooking when her son shouted he was hungry. (No sooner...) 2. She said to John, "Whom did you meet yesterday?" (She asked...) 3. Rohit said, "How well I have done!" (Rohit exclaimed...) 4. Only hard work can help you achieve the best. (Write as a negative sentence) 5. The movie was so bad that I couldn't sit through it till the end. (Use 'too...to') 6. The judge heard two final witnesses before writing the sentence. (Two final witnesses...) 7. It will probably rain today. (In...) 8. People say that he is wrongly accused. (It...) 9. This bicycle is both strong and stylish. (This bicycle is not...) 10. Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases. (Few...) 11. Add this concentrate after stirring the mixture well. (Before adding...) 12. The government is taking steps to preserve the monuments. (Steps for...) ******************** (Answers will be posted on the morning of 14.09.2017)

Instructions for Essay Writing 1. Read the topic carefully. Cover each part of the question properly. Each part has a definite weightage. Do not leave any part unanswered. 2. Choose your topic carefully. All kinds of essays are given due weightage and marks. Never think that a particular choice will result in loss of marks. Story writing for example is as advisable as argumentative or visual-based. But be careful enough to write a story like a story. 4-5 characters, a twist, a lesson in the end, 1st person point of view, some dialogues are needed. 3. High-flown language isn’t needed. Well-phrased sentences and use of appropriate vocabulary is what is given credit. Essays based on personal experiences are always welcomed by examiners. 4. A descriptive essay requires details of sensory perception. Use plenty of adjectives to add weight to your description. 5. In argumentative essays, views for or against the motion are to be accepted. Credit is to be given for a cohesive, well-const

Précis writing basically means to write a summary with a limited number of words as specified in the question. The number of words may vary from 40 —100. In the ICSE examination, you are required to write a précis of 60 words. The following points should be kept in mind while answering the compulsory précis questions. According to the number of words specified in the question, two sets of lines and columns (meaning two grids) should be drawn first. Each line and column has to be numbered accordingly. Only one word is to be written in each box as has been shown to you. After the grids are ready, the headings ‘Rough Précis’ and ‘Fair Précis’ should be written above each grid. While completing the Rough Précis, words may exceed the number specified in the question. E.g. If you are asked to write a précis in not more than 60 words, the rough précis may exceed the number to 65 or 68. Keeping the question in mind. Choose the points needed for your answer from the passage. Detai