Observation Essays
An observation essay assignment evaluates a student's observation skills and attention to detail. Your essay should immerse the reader entirely in the atmosphere you have experienced. Writing this type of paper requires memory, imagination, and writing skills. Several guidelines in outline, formatting, and content must also be followed.
This guide highlights all you need to know about writing a good observation essay.
What is an observation essay?
Simply put, an observation essay is a piece of writing that attempts to provide a highly detailed sensory experience of an event, situation, object, person, phenomena, area, or concept to the reader. It involves direct observation and accurate description that allows the reader to perceive the subject of attention as if they were watching it. Observation, inference, and fact are the three key elements that make a good observation essay.
There is a distinction between an observation essay written for assessment and other forms of observation writing done for qualitative research. Observations for qualitative research are done solely to compile data. As an assessment tool in school, observation writing follows a set of guidelines.
Writing an observation Essay
Observation essay topics cover a variety of subjects and fields. When writing an observation essay, you have to be aware of its aim and peculiarities.
Here are some useful tips that can help you write an observation essay that stands out from the rest.
I. Choose observation essay topics
When choosing a topic for your essay, pick something that interests you. Personal experience is also preferable to anything imagined. Sharing a personal experience that you have enjoyed can make for an informative and gripping essay. Writing something drawn from fantasy or a topic you don't like can be tedious. Observation essay topics can cover anything from a kid's playground to a colony of bees in your neighborhood.
II. Define your role
When making observations for your essay, you have to choose whether to be an active participant or an outside spectator. When choosing a topic for your observation essay, you must pick something that you can easily access without interfering with the subject. In most cases, being a spectator is the most comfortable role.
As a participant, you have to recall the information after the event has taken place. As a spectator, you are free to take detailed notes as the event is happening for the freshest impressions. Being a spectator is the ideal situation, but you have to factor in any possible influence your presence may have on the subject being analyzed.
III. Take detailed notes
Describing an event, idea, or object as vividly as possible is the primary purpose of an observation essay. As such, taking detailed notes is arguably the most critical step in observation writing. Taking notes while observing an event or immediately after is essential for the accuracy of what occurred and the order of occurrence.
IV. Use your senses
Do not limit your observation to sight. Engage all your senses: sounds, smells, and taste. Every fragment contributes to the whole picture you are painting for your readers. Making the most of the sensory details will give you exciting perspectives and make your essay more vivid and engaging.
V. Use accurate language
When conveyed aptly, a vivid description should put the reader in the position of the observer. Use appropriate adjectives to describe your observations in great detail.
VI. Apply present tense
Use present indefinite or progressive tense to describe events as if they are unfolding right before the reader. Allowing the readers to put themselves in your shoes improves their engagement and interest in the depicted object or event.
VII. Use a first-person singular pronoun.
The use of the first-person singular pronoun is forbidden for most essays, but it is often recommended in the observation essay. Check the instructions and requirements for each essay regarding pronouns.
Structure of an observation essay
While an observation essay does not follow the strict rules of traditional academic writing, it uses the standard structure of any academic paper. It should have an introduction, main body, and conclusion.
Introduction
The introduction of your essay should be succinct and informative. The first sentences should grab the attention of your reader and evoke their interest to continue reading. Include your thesis statement in the introduction.
Tips to help you create a winning introduction to your essay include:
1. Provide a brief overview of your essay. A short explanation of the aim of your essay should guide the reader on what to expect.
2. Open with a question. You can leave the question open-ended or provide an answer yourself. The question you use should be closely associated with your topic.
3. Include a peculiar fact at the beginning of your paper. An interesting theory that led you to conduct your observation might also fascinate your audience.
4. Use a cliff hanger to end your introduction. This will keep the reader interested until you reveal your findings at the end.
Main Body
The main body should comprise logically connected paragraphs, each providing details that form an event's whole picture. Make each paragraph as detailed as possible, accurately conveying all the sensory details to give the reader your experience.
Conclusion
Describe your personal thoughts about the process of observation and the subject you have been observing. You can wrap up your observation essay by posing a few questions that encourage further discussion of the topic.
Final Thoughts
An observation essay is one of the most straightforward essay assignments that you will be asked to write during the course of your academic life. Unlike other essays that require you to sift through books and brochures to find relevant information, writing an observation essay only requires diligent observation and recording of events.
Now that you have a concrete guide to follow, you can look at a few observation essay examples to get an idea of what is expected.
