An Eye for Detail: Observation-based Writing

Our concern in An Eye for Detail is to develop both the ability to observe and the ability to articulate these observations, understanding that each of these will help scaffold the other, and that there are myriad ways to pay closer attention to detail. Ideally, we start with describing objects, as they are less daunting in dimensions and make a good starting point to develop the habit of focusing on using all our senses, experience and imagination in asking what, why and how in relation to them. From this starting point, we move on to describing spaces, drawing on a similar approach, focusing on paying attention to our senses. An easier start will also allow you to focus on learning some of the basic aspects of the mechanics of writing–how to come up with interesting titles, make your writing compelling to a reader through the sequence in which you present it, the nature of the paragraphs, etc. All of this learning would be carried into all the upcoming exercises. It is also possible to start elsewhere, but in that case you may have to look at the strategies and techniques for writing, the tips and the tricks that you may not have had the time to develop earlier.