An Eye for Detail: Observation-based Writing

E1

The exercises which form part of ‘An Eye for Detail’ build both the ability to observe and the ability to articulate these observations, understanding that each of these helps scaffold the other. The process draws on the ability to describe objects, developed during the first semester, and works with describing spaces, asking ‘what?’, ‘why?’ and ‘how?’ in relation to them. Students are required to pay attention to the way in which the space engages all their senses, before capturing this in words.

The exercise also develops the basic aspects of the mechanics of writing – coming up with interesting titles that are appropriate to context, presenting text in a logical and compelling sequence, breaking text into paragraphs deliberately, balancing image and text and connecting them effectively through captions and placement decisions, with an understanding of the intended readership.