CSS 2021 Solved Precis

• Interlocutors (noun): People involved in a dialogue or conversation
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to the Palestinians interviewed by Hassan in his documentary, Independence
• Absurdity (noun): The quality of being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable
  • Contextual Explanation: Highlights the contradiction in calling occupation “independence”
• Pre-eminent (adjective): Superior tall others; distinguished
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes Nizar Hassan as a leading Palestinian documentary filmmaker
• Incensed (adjective): Extremely angry or enraged
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes the emotional response provoked by Israeli actions
• Claptrap (noun): Nonsensical or pretentious talk
  • Contextual Explanation: Dismissive term for pro-colonial propaganda
• Poetic salvation (noun phrase): Emotional or moral uplift through artistic expression
  • Contextual Explanation: Art's role in preserving ideals amidst political struggle
• Dejection (noun): A state of low spirits or sadness
  • Contextual Explanation: Reflects emotional despair caused by occupation
• Encroachment (noun): Unauthorized intrusion into someone's territory or rights
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes Israel's expanding control over Palestinian land
• Epic ode (adjective + noun): A grand, poetic tribute
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to the film as a moving homage to Palestinian history
• Pilgrimage (noun): A journey undertaken for spiritual or moral reasons
  • Contextual Explanation: A metaphor for the deep emotional and cultural journey of watching the film

The passage discusses Palestinian filmmaker Nizar Hassan's life, work, and his latest documentary, highlighting how his films preserve Palestinian identity, resist despair, and serve as artistic poems to his homeland. The purpose of the passage is that the author aims to show how Hassan's cinema represents Palestinian resistance, identity, and hope, providing perspective and emotional resilience in the face of Israeli occupation and global indifference. Moreover, the passage describes Hassan's biography and work while reflecting on the role of Palestinian art in offering hope and cultural salvation amidst oppression.

Main Idea of the Passage

Nizar Hassan’s documentaries, especially My Grandfather’s Path, serve as artistic expressions of Palestinian resistance and identity, offering cultural and spiritual renewal against ongoing occupation.

Supporting Ideas Helping the Main Idea

• Hassan studied anthropology, worked in TV, and turned to cinema in 1990.
• His early film Independence highlighted the absurdity of Israel calling colonization "independence."
• His works counter despair by reminding Palestinians of their ideals and aspirations.
• Palestinian art, cinema, and literature prevent people from losing hope under oppression.
• My Grandfather's Path is a masterful, poetic ode to Palestine, reflecting resilience and heritage.
• The film must be seen in full as an uninterrupted artistic pilgrimage.

Confused About Main and Supporting Ideas?

Kindly make sure to revise all five lectures on Precis Writing that I have already delivered. In these sessions, we discussed in detail:

• What a precis is and its purpose.
• What the main idea means and how to extract it effectively.
• What supporting ideas are and how to identify them.
• How to coordinate the main and supporting ideas while writing a concise, coherent precis.

Additionally, go through the 20 examples I shared in the WhatsApp groups. These examples highlight the Dos and Don’ts of Precis Writing, and revising them will help you avoid common mistakes and refine your technique.

Precis 1

Nizar Hassan, a Palestinian filmmaker, has long used cinema to challenge Israeli narratives and affirm Palestinian identity. For example, his early film 'Independence' challenged Israel's false narrative of statehood, exposing the irony of calling colonization freedom. Moreover, Palestinian art and literature, including Hassan's cinema, have preserved ideals and prevented people from despair in the face of occupation. Continuing this tradition, Hassan's latest documentary, My Grandfather's Path, presents a poetic tribute to Palestine, combining patience, artistry, and heritage. His work signifies how art becomes resistance, providing Palestinians a vision of dignity and endurance amidst political oppression. Unlike its fragmented versions aired on Al Jazeera Arabic, the work should be seen whole, uninterrupted.

• Original Words in the Passage: 345
• Precis Word Count: 111
• Title: Palestinian Art as Resistance

Precis 2

Palestinian filmmaker Nizar Hassan has consistently used cinema to highlight his people's plight. Notably, his earlier film, Independence, exposed the irony of Israel claiming freedom while dispossessing Palestinians. Moreover, Palestinian art has safeguarded its values and given its people hope in times of hardship for generations. In the same spirit, Hassan's documentary 'My Grandfather's Path' challenges colonization, presenting Palestine as a symbol of strength and dignity. The film encourages reflection on their homeland and cultural identity, showing that art delivers endurance where politics cannot. Though its shorter versions aired on television, the complete film rewards uninterrupted viewing.

• Original Words in the Passage: 345
• Precis Word Count: 97
• Title: The Role of Art in Preserving Hope

Precis 3

Palestinian director Nizar Hassan has long countered Israeli narratives through his films. For instance, his earlier work Independence ridiculed Israel's claim of freedom while denying Palestinians theirs. For years, Palestinian art has defended its principles and shown strength in times of struggle. Similarly, Hassan's new film My Grandfather's Path depicts Palestine as heritage and resistance, transforming colonial despair into a poetic commitment of identity and resilience above politics or force. Even though parts of it were televised, the film's true impact lies in watching it as a whole.

• Original Words in the Passage: 345
• Precis Word Count: 88
• Title: Art Sustaining Palestinian Identity