Precis Writing Samples

We all know what we mean by a "good" man. The ideally good man does not drink or smoke, avoids bad language, converses in the presence of men only exactly as he would if there were ladies present, attends church regularly and holds the correct opinion on all subjects. He has a wholesome horror of wrong-doing and realizes that it is our painful duty to castigate sin. He has a still greater horror of wrong thinking, and considers it the business of the authorities to safeguard the young against those who question the wisdom of the views generally accepted by middle-aged successful citizens. Apart from his professional duties, at which he is assiduous, he spends much time in good works: he may encourage patriotism and military training; he may promote industry, sobriety and virtue among wage earners and their children by seeing to it that failures in these respects receive due punishment; he may be a trustee of a university and prevent an ill-judged respect for learning from allowing the employment of professors with subversive ideas. Above all, of course, his "morals" in the narrow sense must be irreproachable. (189 words)

Bertrand Russell

Model answer

Characteristics of a good man

According to the author, an ideally good man is intensely religious and avoids bad habits such as smoking and drinking. He does not use obscene or indecent language and has a fear of wrong doing and wrong thinking. He is professionally dutiful and takes active interest in promoting virtues such as patriotism, industry and sobriety among workers and their children. If possible he prevents the employment of professors with subversive ideas.