As with the written selections, begin with short readings and build gradually to longer selections. For the first few times, you might read the selection twice, but eventually you should limit the students to only one reading. Let the students take notes first, but gradually remove this crutch, too. Help your students learn to dissect paragraphs or longer sections much as they would dissect a frog in a biology laboratory. Use only reading selections that are examples of high-quality writing.
Conclusion Discuss each precis with the students.
Highlight the strengths and weaknesses of their writing. Note and encourage every degree or evidence of progress. Writing well is hard work, and your students will not develop overnight into modern-day Shakespeares. The development of writing skills is a life-long process, not the miracle of a moment. Start with small, simple assignments and build to larger, longer, and more demanding assignments.