Reading, Writing, Making Sense: Research for Beginners

E2

The set of exercises focuses on ensuring the transferability of skills developed during the first semester – skimming, close reading, annotating, making use of persuasive writing in a concept note – and building in addition the ability to conduct more detailed research and articulate one’s understanding in the form of a descriptive essay. The exercise introduces the conventions of the genre, and works to develop, through multiple iterations, the ability to connect knowledge and information acquired from secondary sources, into a coherent description of a space. In the process, the qualities of descriptive writing introduced in relation to a space students have access to are extended to writing around spaces that can only be accessed through visualisation. This is the only research-based, long-form writing that students engage with during the course, providing basic skills for higher levels.