METHODS FOR WRITING ABOUT OBSERVATIONS
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Giving sensory details (sight, sound, smells, touch, and taste). One of the most important methods for writing about observations, sensory elements provide the crucial details and necessary layers of meaning needed to recreate an experience for a reader by placing them in the narrator’s position, experiencing what they saw, felt, heard, tasted, and smelled. A writer should also include actual dialogue and names of things, but only where appropriate. Remember, however, not to get “bogged down” in the details. One can provide “too many”. In order for your writing to be effective, you should only provide those descriptions that are necessary to communicate the importance of the memory, while at the same time recreating the experience for your reader. Think of this as you might a camera with a zoom lens. Sometimes you might want to “zoom in” to give the necessary extra detail, but at times you might need to “zoom out” and look at things from a distance.
Giving sensory details (sight, sound, smells, touch, and taste). One of the most important methods for writing about observations, sensory elements provide the crucial details and necessary layers of meaning needed to recreate an experience for a reader by placing them in the narrator’s position, experiencing what they saw, felt, heard, tasted, and smelled. A writer should also include actual dialogue and names of things, but only where appropriate. Remember, however, not to get “bogged down” in the details. One can provide “too many”. In order for your writing to be effective, you should only provide those descriptions that are necessary to communicate the importance of the memory, while at the same time recreating the experience for your reader. Think of this as you might a camera with a zoom lens. Sometimes you might want to “zoom in” to give the necessary extra detail, but at times you might need to “zoom out” and look at things from a distance.•Using comparisons and images. To help readers visualize the unfamiliar (or see the common place in a new light), writers often draw comparisons and use evocative images.
Using comparisons and images. To help readers visualize the unfamiliar (or see the common place in a new light), writers often draw comparisons and use evocative images.•Describing what is not there. Sometimes keen observations requires stepping back and noticing what is absent, what is not happening, or who is not present.
Describing what is not there. Sometimes keen observations requires stepping back and noticing what is absent, what is not happening, or who is not present.•Noting changes in the subject’s form or condition. Even when the subject appears static—a landscape, a flower, a building—good writers look for evidence of changes, past or future: a tree being enveloped by tent worms, a six-inch purple-and-white iris that eight hours earlier was just a green bud, a sandstone exterior or a church being eroded by acid rain.
Noting changes in the subject’s form or condition. Even when the subject appears static—a landscape, a flower, a building—good writers look for evidence of changes, past or future: a tree being enveloped by tent worms, a six-inch purple-and-white iris that eight hours earlier was just a green bud, a sandstone exterior or a church being eroded by acid rain.•Writing from a distinct point of view. Good writers assume distinct roles; in turn, perspective helps clarify what they observe. A lover and a botanist, for example, see entirely different things in the same red rose. What is seen depends on who is doing the seeing.
Writing from a distinct point of view. Good writers assume distinct roles; in turn, perspective helps clarify what they observe. A lover and a botanist, for example, see entirely different things in the same red rose. What is seen depends on who is doing the seeing.•Focusing on a dominant idea. Good writers focus on those details and images that clarify the main idea or discoveries. Discovery often depends on the contrast between the reality and the writer’s expectations.
Focusing on a dominant idea. Good writers focus on those details and images that clarify the main idea or discoveries. Discovery often depends on the contrast between the reality and the writer’s expectations.METHODS FOR WRITING ABOUT MEMORIES
•Using detailed observation of people, places, and events. Writing vividly about memories requires many of the skills of careful observation. Give actual dialogue where appropriate.
Using detailed observation of people, places, and events. Writing vividly about memories requires many of the skills of careful observation. Give actual dialogue where appropriate.•Creating specific scenes set in time and space. Show your reader the actual events; don’t just tell about events; Narrate specific incidents as they actually happened. Avoid monotonously summarizing events or presenting just the conclusions (for instance, “Those experiences really changed my life”).
Creating specific scenes set in time and space. Show your reader the actual events; don’t just tell about events; Narrate specific incidents as they actually happened. Avoid monotonously summarizing events or presenting just the conclusions (for instance, “Those experiences really changed my life”).•Noting changes, contrasts, or conflicts. Changes in people or places, contrasts between two different memories or between memories of expectations and realities, and conflicts between people or ideas—any of these may lead to the meaning or importance of a remembered person, place, or event.
Noting changes, contrasts, or conflicts. Changes in people or places, contrasts between two different memories or between memories of expectations and realities, and conflicts between people or ideas—any of these may lead to the meaning or importance of a remembered person, place, or event.•Making connections between past events, people, or places and the present. The main idea of a narrative often grows out of changes and conflicts or arises from the connections you make between past and present.
Making connections between past events, people, or places and the present. The main idea of a narrative often grows out of changes and conflicts or arises from the connections you make between past and present.•Discovering and focusing on a main idea. A remembering essay is not a random narrative of the writer’s favorite memories. A narrative should have a clear main point, focus on a main idea, or make a discovery. The essay should clearly show why the memories are important.
Discovering and focusing on a main idea. A remembering essay is not a random narrative of the writer’s favorite memories. A narrative should have a clear main point, focus on a main idea, or make a discovery. The essay should clearly show why the memories are important.