This essay will be a distillation of a reading of your choice from The Avid Listener blog (www.theavidlistener.com). You must choose an entry that is not assigned in the syllabus this semester.You will be required to read the article in its entirety and summarize the main points. Your précis must identify the following: author, dateof publication, topic of article, author's thesis, evidence, and conclusion. Following a summary of the main points you will provide a brief reactionto the author's points.
What is a Précis?
A well-written précis should be a serviceable substitute for the original work. The goal is to preserve the core essence of the work in a manner that is both clear and concise. At a minimum, the précis should include the topic or main thesis, the purpose of the research, what was studied, what methods were used, what results (or insight) were gained, and a conclusion.
When finished, the précis should clearly state:
- This is what was studied (argued, discussed).This is how it was done (this was the focus).This is what was learned.This is what it means (why it is important).
Reaction
Following your précis, provide a personal response to the article: Is the author's argument/research persuasive? Why or why not? What could have made the article clearer, or more persuasive? If possible, connect thematerial connect toclass readings/discussions.