Taking a precis for a project can seem daunting. The idea of having to condense the whole unit into a few hundred words may feel impossible. You may even wonder whether you’ll have enough time to do it justice. After all, you have a literature review to write and a couple of essays to draft. There’s also the added pressure of having to write the synopsis and abstract for the paper. You may even feel a little intimidated by the prospect of having to write a high-quality piece on a topic you’re not familiar with.
Whether you’re an undergraduate student who has just arrived on campus or are already settled in your first year, precis writing is an area that many of you will find challenging. Even those of you who have taken a year out to pursue your studies may find that your old pattern of cramming in as much as you can, hoping for the best, and rushing through assignments as quickly as possible is no longer suitable. You want to approach each assignment mindful of the following:
1. Understand Why You’re Being Assigned This Task
It’s essential that you approach each assignment, whether it comes from your lecturers or your fellow students, with some semblance of understanding. One of the most common reasons for being assigned this task is that your tutor or lecturer wants to see your critical thinking skills developed. You’ll be questioned on the basis of what you’ve written, so be sure that what you write is logically connected and makes sense. Remember: you’re not being judged on the basis of your spelling and grammar alone. The goal is to produce a polished piece that exhibits your understanding of the topic.
2. Make Sure That You’ve Fully Covered The Main Points
Even those of you who have taken an honors subject may be familiar with the concept of the “zinger” essay. Essentially, a zinger essay is a clever or surprising question that you ask about your chosen field, which forces your tutor to think. A tricky question is one that forces the tutor to stop and think before providing you with with an easy answer. A good question will catch the reader off guard and make them reconsider what they know about the topic. It’s always a good idea to look for patterns and questions that you can use.
3. Practice Good Grammar
One of the most common reasons for a student falling behind in their studies is because they don’t take the time to correct their written grammar. Many students will get so absorbed in the material that they forget about the importance of spelling and diction. This can lead to a marked decline in their academic performance. If your lecturer or tutor is paying close attention, they may even point this out in the assessment, so make sure that you’ve got all the right spelling and grammar. Check your work for errors too, as often these can be found despite your best efforts. Correcting errors as you go along will also help cement the concepts in your mind. You may also find that listening to podcasts while you write can help clarify your thoughts and ensure that the sentences are crystal clear. The main point is to make sure that what you write is of a good quality.
4. Read Religiously
Whether you’re an honor student who has already been assigned this task or are in the middle of your study period, one of the most important things you can do to ensure that you do it justice is to read as much as possible. This way, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the topic and have the confidence to present yourself in the best possible light. You can also use this time to catch up with any late papers that you might have missed. Remember: a good, old-fashioned piece of chocolate is healthy and can raise your spirits too. Reading about related topics will also help develop your mind and ensure that you’ve got all the relevant information stored away. Try to avoid reading through the same material more than once. You’ll become more familiar with it, and that’s what’s important.
5. Keep A Regular Schedule
It’s no secret that students can get quite demotivated when faced with numerous assignments without any end in sight. This can seriously hamper their progress and make them prone to falling behind. The main point is to ensure that you keep up with your schedule, whether it’s writing a paper or preparing for an exam. You can use the Pomodoro technique to ensure that you finish your tasks on time. The pomodoro technique is a time management approach that can help you break down big assignments into bite-sized tasks that you can finish in record time. You’ll simply need to follow a four-step process:
- Set a timer for a certain amount of time.
- Work on the task for that amount of time without a break.
- Take a break.
- Repeat steps two and three until you’ve finished the task.
It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to avoid becoming burnt out. Even those of you who work long hours may find that a short break can refresh your mind and get you back on track. It’s also essential that you change your environment often. Get out of your comfort zone and look at things from a different perspective. This can help you develop new ideas and approaches to problem solving. Changing your study space frequently can also help, as different people tend to respond to different study spaces. For instance, some students thrive in a group setting, while others prefer a quieter environment. You may find that focusing on different topics can also improve your grades. As you write more and more papers, the importance of having a good workspace with adequate lighting and ventilation will also become apparent. Remember: your workspace should be suited to your needs and should not contain any distracting objects. A peaceful, quiet space that is free from any clutter is ideal.
6. Organize Your Materials
The way in which you arrange your materials can affect how effectively you can absorb the information. Arranging your books and papers in a way that facilitates study can help you maximize the amount of information that you learn and remember. Books that are well-organized will also make it much easier to find specific information when needed. Your tutors and lecturers will also appreciate if you can find ways to make the learning experience as efficient as possible. Arranging your materials can involve re-reading materials and looking for connections between topics. This will help you learn how different concepts are linked together and ensure that what you learn is applicable and useful to you in the future. For instance, if you’re learning about politics now, re-reading George Orwell’s Politics Today can help you understand how concepts such as dictatorship and democracy are related. This type of learning can help you develop critical thinking skills and also help you understand how current events impact society and our lives today. It can also encourage you to look for positive solutions to problems.
7. Practice Testing Your Understanding
Precisely writing is only the beginning. After you’ve written your piece, the real test is whether or not you can apply what you’ve learned. Even those of you who’ve managed to keep up with everything may find that following a straightforward process, such as the one described here, can help consolidate your learning and encourage you to apply what you’ve learned. Practice setting questions and using a variety of sources to find the information you need. Testing your understanding is a great way to ensure that you’ve retained what you’ve learned. The test doesn’t have to be difficult; you can use a multiple-choice question or an essay question, which can be used to evaluate your general knowledge and understanding of the topic. This way, you can focus on preparing for the exam, which, for many of you, will be a great opportunity to show off your hard work.