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The Observation Assignment:

ItÌs simple, really.

Pick a spot, any spot. It could be around your home, or around school, or in a park, or a beach÷  whatever.

The point is to be there and observe.

You are to write a two-page narrative about what you observe. But you must follow these rules:

1) Do not include yourself in what you write. Write in the third person, meaning you should not use ÏIÓ or  ÏmeÓ or ÏweÓ or ÏyouÓ or ÏusÓ ect. You are to write about what you observe. Do not become a participant in what you are writing about.

2) Use ACTIVE verbs. Avoid any variation of the verb Ïto beÓ (is, are, were).  Write in the ACTIVE voice. Avoid passive constructions like: ÏThey are playing.Ó Instead write, ÏThey play.Ó

 So, you may be in a park, and suddenly you smell pine. You write in your notes, ÏI smelled pine.Ó

That violates rule one, and is not as active as it could be. 

Better to write: ÏThe smell of pine wafted over the park.Ó

Be specific, look for details which can convey the scene clearly to the reader. Show, DonÌt tell.

Rather than, ÏThey obviously were happy.Ó Try, ÏThey jumped up and down and cheered.Ó

See? Be specific. Use active verbs. Let the reader SEE what you are observing.

You can use direct quotes. When people talk, it is the best way to let the reader experience what is being said, the emotion, the nuances of the language.

Instead of simply writing, ÏHe looked worried.Ó Describe his furrowed brow, his shaking head, the nervous twitch in his eye. Let the reader see it. Show donÌt tell.

(See Ed Bond beat a dead horse here.)

Two pages, typed, double-spaced in the same format as always. Your deadline is Thursday, March 30.

Good luck.