Get Inspired with Observational Writing

Observation writing is a technique of writing in which you notice everything around you and make a note of it. You unplug yourself from the mental and physical attachment and stay in the present moment. The more you are alert and aware of the present, the better is your observation. Hence, observation writing is basically alert writing which involves all your senses. Be it the sights, smell, hearing, touch, or feel.

Observation is basically taking notice of your surroundings. For example, right now, I am sitting in a café, there is a couple sitting across my table, and they are enjoying their cup of coffee. There’s a guy in the brown shirt probably in love with the girl as he can’t take his eyes off from hers. The more I notice such minute details, the complex it can get. I would see more interactions, both macro and micro-interactions, and see into things that may or may not be there. But as I observe the things around me, I became aware of the surrounding, from the birds chirping to the distant horn of the car on an empty road.

What is the purpose of observational writing? 

Observational writing is a type of writing that seeks to explore or investigate a certain aspect. You analyze a situation, an event, a person, or an area, or any activity or phenomenon. Furthermore, observational writing is highly sensational writing as it takes notes of the sensory experience and makes a note of it.

• You can involve in observational writing for your essay.
• When you are writing humor or satire, for example, there’s a famous short story by Stephen Leacock called, ‘’My Financial Career’.
• For Journal writing
• To spice up your article
• Data collection for your qualitative research
• And much more…

How to do observational writing? 

Here are some tips shared by an academic writing book agency regarding observational writing:

• Introduction to the topic

The first and the foremost important aspect in your observational writing should be establishing your premise and providing a brief review of your essay. You could do that by providing a summary at the beginning of the paper so that your readers know what to expect from the following pages of the essay. Likewise, it will help the readers to understand if their expectations are justified or not because they would not like to waste their time reading something that does not fulfill their criteria.

• Establish your background through a question: 

If you want to do observational writing, and you are confused about how to begin your essay or the creative write-up, you could do that with a question. Starting your essay with a question would help you establish your argument. Likewise, this will help the readers to look for the answer in the essay when it begins. It keeps focused and concentrated on the question. You can also decide if you want to keep your essay open-ended or close your essay with some conclusion.

• Start with a Strange Fact: 

Another way to introduce your topic is through an interesting quote or a fact that might interest the readers to follow through. The first few seconds of a movie or a text are always important. You don’t want to lose the interest of your readers. Because then they might not read what you have to share with them. To keep your audience engaged and interesting, you will have to use this tactic.

• Start with a thesis statement.

A thesis statement is establishing the premise of your essay. It holds the argument of the paper and attempts to answer it throughout the essay. Whether you are observational writing for a research paper or for an essay, a thesis statement is crucial.

Furthermore, keep in your mind that your thesis statement must back the central idea of your paper. Therefore, it should provide all the supporting details necessary.

2. Language of the Observational writing: 

• Use Present Tense: 

When you are writing, it is easier to switch the tenses and lose track of it. However, it is advisable to stick to one tense usage. Such as sticking to the present tense when you are describing a person, place, or thing. If you are describing an event that has happened in the past, then don’t worry. You can still use the present tense as if everything is taking place right at this moment. By using the present tense, you can keep your readers in your shoes.

• Use Sensory Details:

When it comes to observational writing, your language should be emotionally charged. It should also include sensory details, such as the colors, shapes, sizes, the sound of the surrounding, and the imagery. Likewise, what you see, feel, observe, hear or touch should be descriptive through the language. Besides, observational writing is incomplete without a vivid picture of the surrounding.

• Use Accurate Language: 

Another essential thing for this type of writing is the usage of accurate, clear, and effective language. It is essential to use language in a way that is perfect for making the readers feel what you are describing through words. You don’t want to sound rude to your audience and use words that are above the reader’s competency level. The more reader inclusive the vocabulary would be, the greater the experience your reader will have. Likewise, he or she will be able to see the complete picture.

• Structure your essay/paper clearly: 

Writing for the general public or for a specific audience, you need to ensure that your write up properly structured. That means it should have a proper introduction, the body paragraph, and the conclusion. It helps you drive your points across and keeps your writing coherent and unified. The reader knows what to expect from your writing. Likewise, it keeps them bound to your write-up. The clearer your writing is, the better readability it will produce. Henceforth, your readers will look up to your writing the next time they are ready for something.

Wrapping Up: 

This article highlights ways to do observational writing and how to inspire yourself with this method. Understand that there is not always one way of doing things when it comes to writing. The field is wide open. You can follow any strategy you like best and which works for you. As long as you are writing, you are in the creative arena.