My School days Girlfriend Grammar

My School Days Girl-friend Grammar

All of a sudden, Grammy threw her arms around my neck, her head resting on my shoulder. I could feel the warmth of her silent tears rolling down from her eyes

By Mukesh Sharma

A few days ago, I visited US library at K.G. Marg, New Delhi for the renewal of my membership. I was surprised to spot my school days girl-friend Grammar sitting quietly and calmly in the reading hall, engrossed in some book. When I was at school, she was a good friend of mine. She would never indulge in small-talks. She would always preach discipline. All classmates used to respect her a lot. Out of love and respect, I would also call her by a nick name ‘Grammy.’

My School days Girlfriend

The moment ‘Grammy’ caught my sight, she sprang to her feet; she walked up to me and gave me a hug. We sat down for an hour and had warm chit-chat in the light of sweet memories of the past. Here, this blogger shares the excerpts of that interesting talks with his valued readers:

Blogger:

What a great pleasure to see you here Grammy after such a long time! How do you do?

Grammy:

How do I look? You see! A woman is as old as she looks and a man is as old as he feels.

Blogger:

Great! You are an ageless beauty. Even mighty time respects your beauty. And ever yours, I am one of your votaries.

Grammy:

Okay. I am flattered! I am flattered! You writers know how to play with the words. Where and how to use Simile, Metaphor, Hyperbole, Euphemism, Antithesis, Oxymoron, Personification, Apostrophe, Epigram, Irony, Pun and Metonymy.

Blogger:

I have learnt this all from you only. You are my teacher. You are my best friend. I am a writer because of you. To be honest, you are my first love; you are my love-lady.

Grammy:

Frankly speaking, I don’t have very high opinion of men. I have bitter experience with the men. Naked truth is a man loves a woman for sex,  and a woman gives sex for the love of man.  Men are attracted towards women for sheer sexual urge. In the beginning, they make great show of love and affection. They would love to hang out with their girls. After winning her confidence, they use her, they misuse her, they abuse her and at last they disuse her for another body (woman). So is the situation with me (Grammar) also. Once one has good command of the language, Grammar is given good-bye. In US, over 45 per cent women above the age of 50 end up as single. It's a male chauvinist society. I don’t trust man. I enjoy celibacy.

Blogger:

Don’t generalize it. You can’t draw a conclusion on the basis of the behavior of some selfish men. You know, those who understand you, love and respect you the most.

Grammy:

Don’t placate me with your words.

Blogger:

It is not an exaggeration Grammy! It’s truth. You are the epitome of discipline. You teach discipline. You are like nature that teaches nothing but discipline. The sun rises in east; it sets in west. The earth and all the planets revolve around the sun in a synchronized orbit – it is a perfect example of discipline.

You see, Grammar is a crux of life. God has succeeded in creating all planets and stars because He knows the Grammar of universe.

It is the Grammar of the body that brings man and woman close to each other.

Truth is stranger than fiction. Handful of wily netas who are public servants rule over the masters (the public), for, they know the Grammar of Democracy. On the contrary, the public can simply maunder and mumble but can’t do anything, for, it doesn’t understand the Grammar of Politics.

Grammy:

Hold you horses, I am impressed! I am impressed! But, you know, many scholars contend that Grammar is more confusing than comprehensive, and cite reasons:

-          If one studies the grammar from very first chapter to the last, rules are progressively discarded one after the other. There are no hard and fast rules in conventional grammar. It is full of exceptions. So a student remains confused even after studying the whole grammar.

-           It is also silent on the rules of preposition. Why the meaning of a word changes with different preposition e.g. call on, call for, call upon etc.

-          It is also maintained that conventional grammar doesn’t teach sentence making. It teaches one how to correct a sentence, not how to make sentences . . .

Blogger:

These morons know only conventional grammar taught at school level in conformity to colonial education system which is based on rote-learning and it is a corrective grammar only; it teaches to correct the sentence. These so-called scholars have no knowledge of your other parts – Syntactical Grammar that teaches the sentence making and Generative Grammar that teaches to generate the sentences. Those who are acquainted with all the parts, know that Grammar is comprehensive, not confusing.

Further, as far as rule of preposition is concerned, standardized collocations are the answer. English is a language of phrases. Root words/key words pair with other words and produce standardizes collocations and convey different senses. So, no need to go into the rule of preposition.

Grammy:

Well, some find fault even in my eugenics. Scholars cast aspersions and take jibe at me saying English has no grammar of its own. An American Lindley Murray who was  a Latin Scholar and he was of the view that Latin was the most scientific language in the world and it's  grammar could  justify any language. So he just converted the Latin Grammar into English Grammar in 1795. And his book set the precedent for succeeding books on English Grammar.

Blogger:

So what, you know Latin is the direct descendant of Sanskrit. All the European languages are genetically related to Sanskrit only which is looked upon as parent language for all the European languages. So you should take pride in the fact that you are the pampered daughter of Latin, and a great,  great . . . . grand daughter of Sanskrit – a divine language which was fully developed and advanced even 5000 years ago at a time when the world was a savage and even most of the modern languages were non-existent.

Grammy:

Oh my goodness, you know a lot about me. You think a lot about me? Now I can understand your sneaking love for me, right!

Blogger:

I understand only one fact. If you love your children, you must respect their mother. I love English language. So I respect the mother of English language i.e. you Grammy.

Grammy:

So, you have great respect for women!

Blogger:

Of course, like mother-nature, only a woman has power of procreation. Man is a child of woman. His life revolves around woman only. Without woman, this little world of man will cease to exist.

Grammy:

O man, you are a true man. I never knew that you had such warm feelings for me.

Blogger:

That’s not all. I would like to unfold my heart today. You see, I wanted to marry you, but I couldn’t summon the courage to pop the question. I contented myself with the thought: those who can’t be held in arms, can be had in heart. Even today, you live in my heart. You are the queen of my heart.

All of a sudden, Grammy threw her arms around my neck, her head resting on my shoulder. I could feel the warmth of her silent tears rolling down from her eyes. Tears welled in my eyes too. Consoling and comforting her,  I whispered in her ear:

“Worry not honey, the next birth would witness the grand and gala union  of the body and soul. ‘Amen, Amen, Amen’ she blurted out in deep voice echoing from the heart. And with a good-bye kiss, we parted to meet again in the next birth . . .

Secrets of Good English

Secrets of Good English

Learn to understand, think, write and speak good English used in English newspaper, Competitive Exams, and in daily life by the English

By Mukesh Sharma

‘English’, says a Hindi medium UPSC aspirant from Bihar (India) sarcastically: “it is not simply a language in India; it is a symbol of status; it is a symbol of class; it is a symbol of intellect; if you don’t know this language, you will be looked upon as a savage.” ”By an estimate, just two per cent people have command over English language, and virtually they call the shots in the country.” he adds further spitefully.

No doubt, the acerbic comments of the student do carry the weight and are not without substance. In fact, it reflects the majority of Hindi medium UPSC aspirants from Hindi heartland with abysmally poor English; they struggle with English like anything at Mukherjee Nagar, north Delhi. “The selection of Hindi medium students is rather negligible in comparison to English medium students in UPSC exams/other administrative services,” reveals a disgruntled student.

True, a mad dash for English-acquisition can be witnessed among government services aspirants. Their number is in legion.

The problem is that the conventional English Grammar doesn’t help in writing/speaking. Translation from mother tongue to English often leads to non-standardized sentences and fractured English Without good vocabulary, one can’t think correctly and write accurately.

Here, this blogger seeks to reveal the secrets of good English through his very well acclaimed and acknowledged book entitled ‘Secrets of Good English’ by Mukesh Sharma, a bestseller and a FIVE STAR rated book on Amazon.in

The salient features of the book are:

1.      How to think in English

The book seeks to help the second language learner of English to think in English that too without translation and hassle of Grammar with the help of 20 ROOT SENTENCES. As all the numbers are born out of 0-9 digits, all sentences also come out of root-sentences. If words are names of things, sentences are actions that occur in time – present, past and future. Based on action, sentences can be divided into four categories – affirmation, interrogation, Negative and Passive. When 20 Root sentence are studied in this way. The total comes out to be 123. It means there are 123 ways to think in English. No English sentence can exist beyond that. If Hindi/Mother tongue is mapped on each English sentence, one is able to make his/her mind to think in English directly- no ongoing mental translation process.

2.      Know grammar without learning

Of 123 sentences, each sentence has a syntactical formula i.e. grammatical arrangement of the words in a sentence. So, while making sentences, one learns grammatical rules without learning it.

3.      English, a language of phrases

The English language, expertise lies in the knowledge that which ‘verb’ pairs with which ‘noun’ e.g. wear belt etc., and which adjective goes with which noun e.g. incessant rain etc. Thus the words make standardized collocations, and it makes the basis of good English or standardized English The book discusses such collocations which are based on root words/key words at length. It, dramatically, augments the vocabulary used in English newspaper, competitive exam and in daily life by the English.

4.      English for life

The problem with the majority of students is that they study English as a subject to pass out 100^th or 12^th that too through rote-learning. They don’t study it as a language which is a part of life – human life, society, politics, nature, religion, God, and universe. Unless one has the knowledge of words related to different aspects of life, one can never acquire the practical knowledge of English language. And the prime purpose of English paper of all the competitive exams is to gauze the practical knowledge of English of the candidates. This book discusses the words related to different aspect of life – right from birth to death. If you don’t have words, you can never have thoughts.

If you are confused, not able to understand, write and speak good English even after BA/MA, and have tried several institutions/books to master English, you must read this book.

This blogger and author of the book sincerely believes that the valued readers/students would find the book very useful. Take it from me, the book has potential to change the world of your English language. The book can be purchased from Amazon.in.

BUY YOUR COPY NOW

https://www.amazon.in/Secrets-Good-English-Mukesh-Sharma/dp/818974500X

Practical Essay-writing in English

Practical Essay-writing in English

Structurally speaking, an essay is a group of paragraphs where each para represents a factual thought related to the subject matter

By Mukesh Sharma

The students who have completed their schooling through Hindi medium, and have studied English as a subject to pass out 10^th or 12^th, often find the question on essay in competitive exams for government services rather challenging. Of course, at school level, the questions which are based on prescribed text books, can be answered by mugging up the answers – a common practice, but the question on essay in competitive exams is usually based on some proverbs/quotations or some socio-politico happenings; it needs general awareness; it needs the practical knowledge of English language related to human life, society, politics, religion and nature.

What is noteworthy, whenever one sits down to write something, his/her mind uses pre-conceived sentences available in mind collected, unconsciously, through academic pursuit and life-journey of years. However, if one writes down in second language and the needed sentences are not available in mind in that language, a quick mental translation process starts from first language (mother tongue) to second language. Since languages, usually, defy translation, one ends up with non-standardised sentences or fractured English e.g:

Wo apne baal khule rakhti hai (Hind sentence)

She keeps her hair loose (translated non-standardised sentence)

She wears her hair unkempt (Standardised English sentence)

Furthermore, as a computer stores the information in the form of tiny pixels, the mind stores it in the form of pictures. To a mind, a word is just a sound if not represented symbolically, and it gets dissipated in the unknown maze of memory lanes of mind. But a sentence represents an action and creates a mental picture. And the mind is picture retentive rather than sound. So, to write well one needs to feed the mind with the variety of readymade sentences related to different aspects of life as much as possible. It can be possible if one has good reading habit and is a voracious reader. It is simple as one learns to speak by repeatedly hearing sentences, one learn to write too by reading the written sentences. More one reads, more one learns to write –  man begins to learn by imitation only. Only a well-read man can write well.

That is why with the poor vocabulary and poor feeding of English sentences, the students are not able to think in English – If one can think correctly, one can  write accurately. Translation often upsets the apple-cart.

In this age of cut-throat competition and confusion,  people want short cuts to success – there is rat race for success not for knowledge. No doubt, smartness is the need of the hours. So, even if one has not read many books, one can commit to memory at least some short-listed useful proverbs/quotable quotes. The use of right quote at the right place not only helps one to endorse his/her views with the thought of others but also passes himself/herself off as a learned person. Therefore, this blogger sincerely suggests his valued readers/students to read and cram the proverbs and quotations. Proverbs have been given in Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary also. Quotations of famous writers can be read from any good book on quotation. Student-writers must make their own collection of socially, politically  etc. relevant quotations, and it can be collected from internet too.

Before practical writing is discussed at length, the students first must understand the characteristics of an essay. Oxford dictionary says: “an essay is a literary composition on any subject.” In other words, it is an exercise in expression of one’s own exclusive thoughts on some topic; it must reflect the unity, order, brevity, style, and a personal touch in the expression of thought. Further on the basis of style and subject  matter, essays can be divided into five categories:

1.      Narrative Essay – It seeks to narrate the subject matter e.g. story of Lakshmi Bai etc.

2.      Expository Essay – It is an expression of exclusive thoughts on the subject matter e.g. on some social practice, religion, habit etc.

3.      Reflective Essay – It is an expression of exclusive thoughts on the subject matter e.g. on some social practice, religion, habit, etc.

4.      Imaginative Essay -  consists of expression of imagination on the topic e.g. if I were a  superman.
5.   Descriptive Essay – consists of description of some event/happenings. It is commonly asked in the exams.

If one wishes to know how essays are written, one must read some renowned essayists of the yester- years such as Francis Becon (16^th century) – known for his short and sententious essays; Joseph Addition (17thcentury) – known for his thought provoking average length essays; Thomas Babinghan Macaulay (19^th century) -  known for his long but quintessential  and critical essays.

What is common in all types of essays is the exclusive thoughts of the author couched in paragraphs. Structurally speaking, an essay is a group of paragraphs, where each para represents a factual thought related to the subject-matter. Each para is headed by a factual statement/outline. On the basis of keywords, this statement/outline can further be expanded, elaborated, illuminated and exemplified that collectively give it a shape of a well-written para. Likewise, para after para may be developed to pen down a complete essay on any topic. Valued readers may take the clue from this blogger’s well acknowledged and acclaimed blog entitled ‘Of Paragraph-writing’. As discussed in the said blog, chunks and connectives play a crucial role in the development of the paras, the same is applicable to the development of paras in an essay. Here this blogger seeks to suggest a standardised format for the essay, particularly, for the students who feel that their English is not strong enough to think and write correctly and comfortably. This blogger sincerely believes that  the valued readers would find this very helpful. Here are suggested common chunks and connectives for the development of paras.

Common chunks

-          It is very much significant that . . .

-          It throws light on the wholesome truth. . .

-          But as a matter of fact

-          It is maintained that

-          But every coin has two sides

-          It is generally believed that . . .

-          It doesn’t mean that . . . .

-          It is the received wisdom

-          Truth can’t be created; it exists in nature, only a true truth seeker can discover it.

-          Nothing is absolute in this world except God.

-          It still holds water that

-          A mound can’t be made without digging a hole

-          It is very well acknowledged and acclaimed fact that

Common Connectives

-          As a matter of fact

-          It is believed that

-          It is maintained that

-          It is obvious that

-          It is evident that

-          It is contended that

-          It is well said

-          There is no doubt that

-          Interestingly enough

-          It is an irony

-          Keeping in view

-          There is no knowing what is next

-          Needless to say

-          Under the circumstances

-          It can be concluded

-          In other words

-          It won’t be wrong to say that

Suggested format

 Introductory Paragraph

Explain and elaborate the topic with the help of chunks and incorporate different keywords related to topic to spell out the scope of the essay. Numbers of keywords may be set as per the prescribed limit of words for essay as each key word has to be developed into a para.

Factual thought/outline- Para 1

-          Use chunks and connectives  to expand and explain on the basis of key words in outline

-          Negative and positive aspects of the fact may be discussed to expand para

-          Endorse it with the quotation/proverb of a renowned writers

-          It may be illuminated with examples too

-          Restrict it to 80-100 words

Factual thought/outline – Para 2

-          Develop para on the same guideline as given in para 1

Concluding para

In the light of all the discussed factual thought, draw a conclusion using the chunks and connectives. It may be restricted to 30-50 words.

It is evident that with the help of this format students may write essay on any topic of any prescribed word limit.

Write two essay in 100-1200 words from each A & B  (UPSC 2019 Mains)

A

             1       Wisdom finds truth

                   OR

2         Best for an individual is not necessary best for the society

B                                           

3         Biased media is a real threat to Indian society

                                 OR

4         Neglect of or primary health care and education in India are the reasons for its backwardness.

SPECIMEN

Answer

Wisdom finds truth

The statement ‘Wisdom finds Truth’ is very much significant and sententious. It throws light on wholesome truth. It is a hard fact that born in the laboratory of the world, the wisdom reflects the ways of the world. No doubt, wisdom is an empirical knowledge; it is a consequential experience; it is a circumstantial credible evidence; it is a reality of life; it is timeless; it is a gift from one generation to another; the world without wisdom shall be like a time rudderless vessel in the ocean of time knowing nothing how to swim ashore. As sunshine leads to the sun, wisdom leads to truth.

N.B. (Nota bene): read carefully the abovementioned introductory para and note how the factual thoughts have been incorporated.

Para-1

It is a well acknowledged and acclaimed fact that the wisdom is an empirical knowledge. There are two types of knowledge – one acquired from books and another from the experience of life. The bookish knowledge is theoretical but the knowledge acquired from the experience of life is called practical or empirical knowledge. It is a proven knowledge that stands in good stead in difficult time of the life. If a curd is knowledge, wisdom is the churned out butter.

N.B. (Nota bene): Read carefully and note how the para has been developed with the help of chunks and key words. It can be expanded further, if need be.

Para-2

It won’t be wrong to say that the wisdom is a consequential experience. It is a fact that the wisdom is born out of the resultant experience. It is well said that even truth is not absolute; it changes with the circumstances. The sun rises is East is a truth on the earth. But sun rises and sets in space after every three hours. The earth has one moon but the Jupiter has eight moons. In other words, truth may change with the circumstances but wisdom remains unchanged in the circumstances. So it can be said that the wisdom is a consequential experience.

N.B. (Nota bene): Note how with the help of key words, in outline, a para has been developed.

Para-3

It is also contended that the wisdom is circumstantial credible evidence. Of course, it holds water under specific circumstances irrespective of age and time. It can’t be refuted. “Anger starts with foolishness and ends with repentance.”This quotation can’t be proved wrong. It is an axiomatic saying. There is wisdom in the statement. It is obvious that wisdom is a circumstantial evidence.

N.B. (Nota bene): Note how the para-2 has been developed on the basis of key words

Para-4

It is generally believed that wisdom is the reality of the life. “Nothing is absolute in this world except God” says Newton. Only God can create the truth. Man can simply make discoveries. Truth exists in nature; it remains hidden in nature; only a resolute truth seeker can discover it. All the scientists, philosophers or intellectuals make incessant efforts to winnow the wheat of the reality out of the visible chaff of truth. And thus refined truth is called wisdom. Wisdom is the true reality of the life.

Para-5

Wisdom is timeless. Of course, the truth may change with time and circumstances. For instance, Killing someone in self defense may not fall under the category of murder. So the truth may change. It depends on the circumstances. But wisdom doesn’t change either with the circumstances or time. Wisdom doesn’t let the inimical circumstances be developed. What seems imminent can be averted by the wisdom. Mahatama Buddha changed the heart of killer Angulimar by his wisdom. So, wisdom is timeless. It doesn’t change with time or circumstances. On the contrary, it has power to change the circumstances.

Para-6

Wisdom is a gift from one generation to another. To be on lighter side, even wisdom tooth is cut after many years of experience in matured age. And elders always taunt at the foolishness of a youngster by saying he/she has yet to cut the wisdom tooth. All the religious scriptures of all the religions are endowed with nothing but wisdom. All the saints and philosopher lay their hand on wisdom after years of experiment, experience and observations. Such wisdom when put out in books, it can easily be transferred from one generation to another. Armed with the wealth of wisdom, new generation further makes new discoveries and new observation, and a new knowledge is produced. As living being bear the living beings, wisdom begets the wisdom. Evidently enough, wisdom is a gift from one generation to another.

Para -7

The world without wisdom shall be like a rudderless vessel in the ocean of time knowing nothing how to swim ashore. In fact, life is governed by the wisdom. The knowledge is transferred by one generation to another. Based on that a new knowledge is produced. Thus produced knowledge furthers the progress of human civilization. The little knowledge of Wright Brothers in the flying of an air craft laid the foundation for the today’s jet and supersonic planes. Their discovery was the prototype of today’s high teach planes. Wisdom is an asset created by one generation and is used by the posterity. Without wisdom the world would be like a rudderless vessel not knowing how to swim ashore.  Without light, one can’t see even with the healthy eyes.

Concluding Para

In the light of above mentioned factual thoughts, it can be convincingly concluded that truth is wisdom and wisdom is truth. As sunshine leads to sun, wisdom leads to truth. Wisdom finds truth.

******

Mind you, there is no hard and fast rule for writing. Each learned writer can create his/her own style and diction. Here this blogger doesn’t claim any high erudition. Take it just a suggestion. And this blogger sincerely believes that the students, particularly, from Hindi medium and from Hindi heartland- UP, Harayana, MP and Bihar, with poor English, would find this format very helpful and useful. it might be conducive to the fulfillment of their cherished dream.

Practice improves skill. Read and re-read your own written essay, you will be able to refine it. For practice, attempt at least 20 essays that will bring confidence in you and hone your writing skill.

Of Precis-writing

Of Precis-writing

All kinds of writings need practice. It is like swimming; more you swim, more you learn to keep yourself afloat; more you write, more you learn to be prolific. Practice whets the skill

By Mukesh Sharma

A goldsmith knows how to make alluring ornaments using pure gold and other metals, and he also knows how to separate pure gold from the other metals to work out the price of an ornament. In the same way, a well articulated and balanced write-up is also an amalgamation of main idea or skeletal idea and the supporting details, endorsing it. And of course the art of précis-writing lies in separating main ideas from inconsequential or ornamental details and get to the crux of the matter.

Precis-writing is an important and compulsory question in English paper at academic level as well as in competitive exams for A & B categories of government services. However, it appears rather a tough question to answer correctly and confidently for the students from Hindi medium with poor knowledge of English language.

Mind you, such question can’t be attempted with rote-learning – sheer knowledge of grammar rules, translation and so-called mugged up vocabulary. It requires good understanding of English language  -  English syntax and practical use of standardized phrases (English is a language of phrases) i.e. which ‘verb’ collocates with which noun. In other words, only a well-read man can write well; reading leads to writing, and hearing leads to speaking in the acquisition of a language. Here this blogger seeks to suggest the students the easiest way to attempt the questions on précis-writing.

Of Precis-writing

What is a précis? Précis is a French word which is pronounced as ‘precees’ and it means ‘summary’, and précis-writing is summarizing. Grammatically speaking, it is an exercise in comprehension and compression; it is an ability to grasp quickly and accurately what is read or heard, and reproduce it quickly and concisely.

Before, précis-writing is discussed practically, it is necessary for the students to know certain ground rules:

1.    A student is supposed to compress the given passage to one third. It means, if there are twenty lines, it must be reduced to six lines.

2.   A précis should be written in own words. It should not be a patch work, a usual pitfall for the students.

3.   It must be self-contained and completed. In other words, it must convey the main idea or message fully and clearly. If one reads it, one should not feel that something is amiss or need to refer to the original.

4.   There is no need to follow the original order of thought as described in the original passage. One can come up with one’s own thought sequence provided there is no digression from original context.

5.   Indirect speech is preferred to direct speech – no inverted coma statement/sentences.

6.   If possible, make use of one-word substitution to shrink a detailed thought.

7.   Look for the leading sentences or outline of paras to summarize the passage.

8.   While writing a précis, omit examples, comparisons, contrast, digression and other inconsequential details given in original passage.

9.   Read and re-read and suggest a suitable title asked to your drafted précis.

Specimen:

Passage

To majority of UPSC aspirants, the exam which is rated as toughest, remains a mystery. Despite firm determination, and incessant hard work, the candidates are not able to crack the exam, and usually the buck is passed on the failed aspirants for their unpreparedness and incomplete studies.

“A thorough study of past years papers and its format, helps one to work out a probable trend for the next paper, and it means 30% preparation has been completed” says a successful candidate. “Next 20% count for your ability and capability to answer question to the point with good time management and rest 40% depends on tactical acquirement of special knowledge related to the particular subject, and of course 10% is left for luck,” adds a successful candidate.

Success is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. Nothing is impossible. Hope never dies and possibilities never end.

Précis

Secret of Success

Despite hard work, majority of candidates are not able to crack UPSC and the success remains a mystery, and the cause of failure is attributed to unpreparedness of candidates. One of the successful candidates says that right knowledge of question paper's format, ability to answer quickly to the point and acquirement of special knowledge related to subject, matter a lot. Further success is 90% hard work and 10% luck.

Taking clue from the example, students may try précis-writing on the questions asked in previous years of exams.

It is not only in exams but also in practical life, the art of précis-writing is of great value. Lawyers use it for taking briefings from client. Businessmen use it for jotting down important points. Government official use it for taking notes. Journalists use it to ink interviews/press meetings.

All kind of writings need practice. It is like swimming; more you swim, more you learn to keep yourself afloat; more you write, more you learn to be prolific. Practice whets your skill.