Descriptive/ Expository Essay

Structured around design--in a broad understanding--preceding the Second World War, this first instance of long-form writing introduces the students to independent research. From reading techniques which enable the grasping of different kind of research materials, to work with concept notes, abstracts and working bibliographies, the rigorously guided process of writing a descriptive/ expository essay acknowledge the limitations of being at the beginning of our engagement with design and emphasizes on the ability to communicate clearly the extent of our understanding and learning. 

The exercise is approached as a parallel to object description, asking of the students to not only engage with others' analysis and learn from it, but also to begin to look at the work of designers and architects with the same attention to detail earlier turned to objects in our immediate vicinity. 

Through multiple drafts/ iterations, the exercise offers an opportunity to see the evolution of thinking and expression in the process of writing an essay.