A Practice Note explaining how to draft a praecipe (request) for writ of summons to initiate a civil case in a Pennsylvania court of common pleas. This Note explains how to draft the praecipe's caption, body, and signature block and how to prepare the accompanying writ of summons for issuance by the court's prothonotary. This Note also discusses the reasons a plaintiff might choose to initiate suit in this manner, instead of filing a complaint, and what to expect when a plaintiff commences an action by writ.