Using precis, part I

As I mentioned in my last post, I am going back to the literature in an attempt to focus my topic ideas.

For me, going back to the literature does not mean re-reading the books themselves. Rather, it means looking at various precis I wrote last year after reading the books the first time.

If you are a graduate student and don't know what precis are, it's time you learned and started creating them for all the books you read. In a nutshell, a precis is a book summary that can help you remember the author's intention, thesis, main points, ideological slant, and details related to various chapters. They are ten times better than ordinary notes or margin scribblings, and are an incredible resource for papers and follow-on research.

It's easy to get started on precis -- all you need to do is read a book and write a paragraph or two for the following items:

Precis Title:

Read (Date):

Author:

Author’s intentions:

Thesis:

Type of history:

Structure of argument:

Evidence used:

Ideological orientation:

Strengths of book:

Weaknesses:

Contributions to the field:

Outline:

For the last item, "Outline", I usually write an entry for each interesting point or quote throughout the book, and note the page number. This may cover up to ten pages, for a long or particularly important book. However, standard short-form precis usually mention four or five main concepts illustrated in the book, which should take up a page or two.

Professor Sally Hadden, a Harvard PhD and specialist on the history of the South and the American Revolution, taught me how to prepare a precis. She teaches at the Summer School and I highly recommend her courses. While the reading and writing workload is tough, she sets high standards for her students and you will learn a lot about early American history.

I'll write more about Prof. Hadden and how to prepare a precis later on. I'll also provide some samples. Stay tuned ...