précis writing, abstracting, summarising

[renetta]

Hello everybody,

could you please clarify the difference in meaning and use of the three terms reported in the title of this thread? Thank you!

[Charlie Bernstein]

Not as well as a dictionary can!

[David L.]

I thought that would be right up your street!

You've got a better chance at this than many of us.

[renetta]

Of course, I have looked these words up in a dictionary, but the thing is that I do not see that huge difference as in my language there seem not to be as many words for the activity of summarising. Since I have to translate a text which lists these activities, I suppose there are slight differences among them which justify they being listed. The dictionary is not that helpful I am afraid, so I though that it was a good idea to ask to people who actually use these words.