A précis is a brief summary that gives the main ideas of a longer piece of writing in your own words. Unlike a paraphrase, it’s much shorter than the original text and does not include personal opinions or unnecessary details.
Précis writing is the skill of summarizing a longer passage into a shorter, more concise version while retaining its core message and logical structure. The following guidelines provide a step-by-step approach to help you analyze a text, extract its essential ideas, and rewrite it clearly and objectively in your own words.
Question
The Department of Transport and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) have introduced a new digital learner’s licence system across South Africa.
Presenting to Parliament on Tuesday (31 August), the RTMC said that the Computerisation of the Learner’s Licence Testing Centres (CLLT) programme aims to modernise the current system. The CLLT will also help reduce or remove the element of corruption in the system, the RTMC said.
The initial rollout of the CLLT system has already started in Gauteng, with early work beginning in the Free State, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. The full project is set to be completed by March 2024.
While some computerised systems had been introduced as far back as 2011 in selected locations, the RTMC said that these have since become obsolete and were not working.The CLLT classroom is typically equipped with around 20 kiosks with an equal number of touch screen CLLT computers.
All the applicable questions per test type and the required marks to pass a specific test are maintained on the eNaTIS system. The tests include options for the applicant to respond on-screen as well as audio in all 11 official languages.
Upon entering the classroom, the examiner will allocate a specific terminal to the identified applicant. The terminal will then require the personal details of the applicant – such as their identification number.
The system will randomly generate the test questions for the applicable test for each terminal. The test questions will be temporarily downloaded to the terminal. After the test has been authorised, the questions will be deleted. The answers to the questions will then be verified on the eNaTIS system.
The CLLT forms part of a significant IT and tech overhaul at driving license testing centres across South Africa to reduce wait time.
Transport Minister Mbalula said this would include replacing live enrolment and live capture units with smart enrolment units throughout the country.
These units are used for eye-testing and other functions when renewing or applying for a driver licence in South Africa. Mbalula said that the project will first commence in Gauteng and be incorporated into the online booking system.
The minister said that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is also refreshing all end-user devices at license testing centres throughout the country. This is a multi-year programme scheduled for completion in March 2022, he said.
Lets apply the following steps to write the precis
The first step is to read the article carefully at least twice. During the first reading, the focus is on understanding the general idea of the article — which is about the introduction of a new digital learner’s licence testing system in South Africa. The second reading is used to identify the key ideas, extract the main points, find supporting details, and understand the overall structure of the article.
The main idea identified is that the Department of Transport and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) are introducing a computerised learner’s licence testing system to improve efficiency, reduce corruption, and modernise the testing process. Several key supporting points are noted: the rollout has already started in Gauteng and is being expanded to other provinces; the terminals use touchscreen technology and are connected to the eNaTIS system; the tests are available in all 11 official languages; and smart enrolment units and IT system upgrades are also being introduced as part of a broader digital reform. The tone of the article is informative and explanatory, aiming to keep the public updated on the new system.
Below is a breakdown of how each section or paragraph(s) from the original article contributes to the outline that will be used to write the précis and simplify the core content. The outline includes:
The Department of Transport and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) have introduced a new digital learner’s licence system across South Africa. Presenting to parliament on Tuesday (31 August), the RTMC said that the Computerisation of the Learner’s Licence Testing Centres (CLLT) programme aims to modernise the current system. The CLLT will also help reduce or remove the element of corruption in the system, the RTMC said.
Outline Point 1:
The RTMC launched the Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) system to modernise testing and reduce corruption.
The initial rollout of the CLLT system has already started in Gauteng, with early work beginning in the Free State, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. The full project is set to be completed by March 2024.
Outline Point 2:
The new system is being rolled out in several provinces, starting in Gauteng, and is expected to be fully implemented by March 2024.
While some computerised systems had been introduced as far back as 2011 in selected locations, the RTMC said that these have since become obsolete and were not working.
Outline Point 3:
Previous computerised systems were outdated and ineffective, necessitating this new digital solution.
The CLLT classroom is typically equipped with around 20 kiosks with an equal number of touch screen CLLT computers. All the applicable questions per test type and the required marks to pass a specific test are maintained on the eNaTIS system. The tests include options for the applicant to respond on-screen as well as audio in all 11 official languages. Upon entering the classroom, the examiner will allocate a specific terminal to the identified applicant. The terminal will then require the personal details of the applicant – such as their identification number. The system will randomly generate the test questions for the applicable test for each terminal. The test questions will be temporarily downloaded to the terminal. After the test has been authorised, the questions will be deleted. The answers to the questions will then be verified on the eNaTIS system.
Outline Point 4:
The CLLT uses touchscreen kiosks and eNaTIS integration to deliver multilingual, randomly generated learner’s licence tests.
The CLLT forms part of a significant IT and tech overhaul at driving license testing centres across South Africa to reduce wait time. Transport Minister Mbalula said this would include replacing live enrolment and live capture units with smart enrolment units throughout the country. These units are used for eye-testing and other functions when renewing or applying for a driver licence in South Africa. Mbalula said that the project will first commence in Gauteng and be incorporated into the online booking system. The minister said that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is also refreshing all end-user devices at license testing centres throughout the country. This is a multi-year programme scheduled for completion in March 2022, he said.
Outline Point 5:
This programme is part of a broader national tech upgrade, including smart enrolment units and refreshed devices to improve efficiency at testing centres.
The précis is then to be written using clear and formal language in the third person, keeping a tone consistent with the original article. The present tense was used to match the reporting style of the text. The précis will follow the structure of the original article, moving from identifying the problem to offering a solution, explaining the implementation, and detailing the broader reform plans. Linking words like “to enhance,” “including,” and “as part of” will be used to maintain flow and coherence in the paragraph.
The précis will be written objectively without adding personal opinions or extra information not found in the original article. Facts will be summarised accurately and presented in a way that does not distort the meaning of the source text. The tone and content will remain true to the original purpose of the article.
Careful attention will be given to ensuring the précis does not exceed the required 100-word limit. All unnecessary repetition, examples, or minor details will be removed so that only the most essential information remains. This helps to keep the summary concise while still informative.
Finally, the précis will be reviewed for grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and clarity. Transitions between ideas will be checked to ensure a logical flow. The paragraph will also be tested for coherence, confirming that it makes complete sense even when read independently from the original article.
Now lets write the ideas in the outline using own words, in a paragraph, using linking words like “furthermore,” “as a result,” “to improve,” as below
The Department of Transport and the RTMC are rolling out a computerised learner’s licence testing system to modernise procedures, reduce corruption, and improve efficiency. The programme, already underway in Gauteng, will expand nationally and be completed by March 2024. The new system features touchscreen kiosks, integration with eNaTIS, and multilingual test options. Applicants are assigned terminals that randomly generate test questions, which are later verified. As part of broader reforms, smart enrolment units will replace outdated systems, and license testing centres will receive upgraded IT equipment. These changes aim to streamline testing and licensing processes. (100 words)
Choosing a heading for your précis is just as important as writing the summary itself. A strong heading captures the main idea in a short, clear phrase and helps readers quickly understand what the précis is about.
Before you choose a heading, ask yourself:
“What is this passage mainly about?”
Start by reading the entire text or your précis outline. Your goal is to identify the central message — not the examples or details.
For Example (from the learner’s licence article above) the central message is
A new computerised learner’s licence testing system is being introduced in South Africa to modernise the process and reduce corruption.
That’s your main message — keep this in mind while crafting the heading.
A good heading includes important keywords from the original.
Look at the most important terms or concepts that keep coming up. These help you create a heading that stays relevant and focused.
For example in the article ‘South Africa is rolling out a new learner’s licence system – what you can expect’ the Key Terms are:
Use one or two of these terms in your heading to give it strength and clarity.
A précis heading should be short (3–7 words), direct, and focused on the main idea.
Avoid long or complicated headings. Use plain language that clearly communicates what your précis is about. Your heading should be:
Choose a heading that reflects the core idea and tone of the article.
Examples of Good Headings:
These are all brief, accurate, and reflect the focus of the original article.
Don’t use vague, narrow, or irrelevant titles.
Examples of Poor Headings:
Once you’ve written your précis, re-read it and ask yourself: “If someone read only this heading, would they understand what the précis is about?” If the answer is yes, you’ve got a strong heading.
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