Assignment 7: Observations in Nature (Part 1)

 

Assignment 7 - Observing a Process--Field and Nature Writing


GOALS

  1. •Recognize that there are specific purposes for technical writing documents.

  2. •Develop skills of observation, analysis, and investigation to create technical writing documents.

  3. •Demonstrate clarity, conciseness, organization, and correct grammar through technical writing.

  4. •Analyze target audience and prepare technical writing suitable to these audiences.

 

OBJECTIVES

  1. •Employ objective and critical thinking while observing a process.

  2. •Interact with the instructor and other students in class via the internet for information and feedback.

 

INSTRUCTION

It is common for technical writers to write process and observation descriptions for employers, co-workers, or for the general public. These must be clearly written and easily understood.

In order to compose a process description, the writer must:

  1. •write clear, detailed descriptions

  2. •use active voice, and

  3. •use proper parallel structure.


For help on voice and parallel structure, go to the Guide to Grammar and Writing.  Read through the information and take the on-line quizzes. (They are short and pretty fun to do).


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MEMO

TO: Technical Writing Students
FROM: Helen Haberman, Instructor
SUBJECT: Observing a Process in Nature

DUE DATES: November 5, 2012 (First Observation)

       AND November 12, 2012 (Final Observation and Write-ups of both due.

Two separate observations must take place on different days before this due date.

Background

Your mission will be to observe a process in nature and to write an entry for a field guide detailing your observation. This assignment will begin this week and end next week. You will complete TWO observations ON DIFFERENT DAYS in the same location and write both up. See linked examples below. You will submit two written entries, both due on November 12, 2012.


Assignment (40 points)

Procedure:

First Week/First Observation: Spend at least half an hour in close observation of an outdoor environment you choose, and make a written record of your observation. Make the act of observing the basis for your writing. Observe quietly for half an hour, allowing yourself to notice the unsurprising in particular--what you might not otherwise notice. Be sure to try every one of your senses, to notice smells, tastes and the small or large movements you make and that are made around you as well as what you see and hear. Look first introspectively, noting how your observation conjures present and past emotions and memories. Next turn to a more critical attention, noting detail, taking a second, third, fourth look, trying for objectivity. Take down informal notes which you will later transfer into a formal field guide entry.

Second Week / Second Observation:  Repeat the process above by returning to the same place a second time on a different day for half an hour. What has changed, how is the observation different or similar? What new things do you observe? Write informal notes which you will transfer into a formal field guide entry.

What to turn in:

Write each half hour observation up as two separate field guide entries. Your field guide entries must be typed and should include the following information:

* Date, time of observation, weather/temp, location for each

*Objective observation descriptions for each day (what did you see)

*Subjective observation descriptions for each day (how did you feel, what did you think, what did you learn, etc.)

Resources

Examples: Read samples of field guide entries by clicking on this link. Field guide entries are generally formal entries but yours can include the subjective observations you made about yourself in the process as well.

Evaluation

Your process description will be evaluated on the following criteria:

- Required components present(objective and subjective observations, weather conditions, two days) (50%)

- Field Guide entry is well-organized/crafted; good flow; creative(40%)

- Absence of any punctuation, grammar, or spelling errors (10%)

 

Help

If you have questions about this assignment, send them to haberman@4j.lane.edu.