How to write a Precise Sir Kashif Rehman , Lahore

STEP 1 . READING a. Read the given passage very carefully not once but twice and try to establish understanding the given Passage (s) b. Skimming : In your first reading try to identify and highlight all the main points , ideas, arguments and themes presented by the author. Do not highlight complete sentences but only KEY WORDS or PHRASES. c. Scanning : In your second reading try to work out how much importance the author has given to each of the main ideas , thoughts, arguments or themes. Try to work out the proportion in which you are supposed to Concise the text.

STEP 2. POINTS FOR PRECISE (first heading on the Main sheet) : a. Now write down all the main thoughts, ideas , arguments and themes that you have identified and highlighted during your reading in the form of points in complete sentences by writing the sentences in your own words. b. Number the points as per appearance n the original text and do not change the sequence of ideas. c. At this level you shouldnt be concerned about CONCISING the text. So do not be worried about the number and volume of points . write freely until each of the arguments , ideas or thoughts are explained completely. d. DO not be WORRIED ABOUT WORDS. And not exclude important pieces of information. e. NOTE : Try not to include any excessive detail, description , narrative device, examples/

STEP 3. ROUGH DRAFT (second heading on the next page of the answer sheet) a. Now write down the points you have generated in the previous section in the form of a continuous passage thereby establishing fluency and connection among the sentences by using grammatical devices such as Adverb connectors and sentence connectors

b. c. Sentence connectors : examples However, nevertheless, on the contrary , consequently etc d. Adverb connectors : examples First , initially, in the beginning , secondly, then, next, now, finally etc.

STEP 4. a. DRAFT. Now count the words of the given passage and the words in your ROUGH

b. Exact count is required : word by word counting c . the word count of your ROUGH DRAFT should be one-third (1/3rd) of the original passage. There can be extension or reduction in word limit (10-15 words). Suppose passage contains 600 words Word limit is one third means 600/3 = 200 words Allowed extension in words 200 plus 15 = 215 words ( in Your final Precise) D. Excessive words can be reduced with SINGLE WORD SUBSITUTION

For Example:Improper: There were lot of knives, forks and spoons on the table. Proper : There was a lot of cutlery on the table. e. ADVERBIAL PHRASES: Improper: He was going to school. He saw an accident. Proper: Going to school, he saw an accident.

f. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES: Improper : The man was a murderer . he was sitting in the car. Proper: The man in the car was a murderer. g. CLAUSES Improper: He knocked at the door. It was opened by a lady. She was very old. Proper: He knocked at the door which was opened by a very old lady. h. SHARING THE SUBJECT. Improper: The boy worked hard. The boy stood first. Proper: The boy worked very hard and stood first.

STEP 5 When the ROUGH DRAFT is within the required limit read it once for eradicating mistakes and maintaining fluency in the passage.

STEP 6. NEAT DRAFT; a. Now write your precise in neat draft while still thinking about better alternatives. b. MARKER se likhna he bottom m :words in the given passage = suppose 600 words required for the precise = 200 words in the precise =213