how do you write an observation essay

Observation Essay

Observation essay generator.

To properly observe something, you need to make use of all your five senses. Paying attention to all the details and being level-headed is a must. That said, a lot of effort goes into the act of observing something. The data gathered in your observation, whatever it may be, is necessary. Therefore you should write an observation essay and share your findings with the readers. 

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What Is an Observation Essay?

An observation essay is a piece of academic essay that incorporates the observer’s perspective over a situation, event, behavior, phenomenon, and even a person. In this document, the writer should state everything he or she directly noticed on the subject. In addition, they can also use first-person narration in this paper.

How to Write a Well-Versed Observation Essay

Whether you are a student writing an essay of your observation for a school assignment or educational research , or maybe a professional conducting a business analysis , you should compose it critically. The findings you present in your observation essay could be necessary to your field or industry. To keep it professional and informative, incorporate appropriate elements and organize it properly. 

1. Follow Guidelines

If there are guidelines provided, ensure to read them beforehand. The list usually includes instructions regarding the format, the length, essential questions, the structure, and the deadline. To avoid forgetting the items to remember, you can secure a checklist beforehand. These details will act as your guide and will set the limits for your essay writing . 

2. Devise an Outline

Considering that you already finished observing, take out your notes, and start constructing your outline. Consider basing its structure on the guidelines. You should decide what information goes on in a particular paragraph and organize it to be comprehensive to the general readers. You can save your energy by researching sample blank outline templates online instead of starting from scratch.

3. Compose Your Thesis Statement

Write your thesis statement in your introduction. After writing your hook and engaging your readers, it is now time to state what the essay will discuss. What did you observe? What are the general idea and nature of your essay? Your thesis statement will act as the central idea of your descriptive writing. Its length must only be one sentence. 

4. Close With a Detailed Conclusion

After presenting the main ideas and supporting your claims, you should provide a conclusion statement that would sum it all up. In the last paragraph, you should restate the thesis statement and explain how all of these ideas are relevant to each other. Your conclusion should link back to the idea in your introduction.

How do you observe something properly?

The practice of observing is necessary for writing field reports of studies, especially in science and psychology. When you do an observation of something, it is advisable to research the subject you are studying. Also, you need to focus on your visual and hearing senses and your thought process. Avoid or get rid of factors that can distract you.

What are the different methods of observing?

The various methods of observing are categorized based on the level of involvement of the observer with the subject. If an observer is not noticed or personally seen by the participants, then he or she is employing the complete observer method. On the other hand, if the subjects recognize and interact with the observer, the implemented method is observer as participant.

How should you note your observations?

The first step in taking field notes of your observation is, write down the necessary details of the subject. Also, you should include the time and place. In writing your findings, you should stay objective and factual. Also, don’t forget to write a description of the setting and the materials involved.

The readers of your observation essay are not present at the time you did your observation. An observation essay is effective if its content is enough to supply information that would make the readers feel as if they are personally present at that time. Secure an observation essay, and earn an award certificate from your school or your work. 

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Discuss the behavior of animals at a zoo and what it reveals about them in your Observation Essay.

Reflect on the atmosphere of a music concert you attended in your Observation Essay.

How to Begin an Observation Essay: Tips and Strategies

• Dr. Huey Logan
• December 8, 2023
• Study Guides

Welcome to our guide on how to start an observation essay . Whether you’re a student or a professional writer, beginning an observation essay can sometimes be a challenging task. It requires careful planning, attention to detail, and an ability to capture the essence of the subject or event you’re observing. In this article, we’ll provide you with valuable tips and strategies to help you kickstart your observation essay effectively.

Here's What You'll Learn

Before we dive into the tips and strategies, let’s briefly discuss what an observation essay is. It is a type of paper where you provide remarks and findings about an individual, group, or event, focusing on specific details. Your goal is to describe your observations on a particular theme, engaging your readers through vivid descriptions and sensory details.

Now, let’s explore some key takeaways that will guide you through the process of beginning your observation essay:

Key Takeaways:

• Write in the present tense to establish a sense of immediacy and connection to the event.
• Structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Include a hook, background information, and a clear thesis statement in your introduction.
• Develop your thesis statement with arguments and facts in the body paragraphs.
• Summarize and analyze your main ideas and arguments in the conclusion.

By following these tips and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to begin your observation essay and captivate your readers from the start. Remember, the more you practice and refine your writing skills, the better your observation essays will become.

Paper Structure for an Observation Essay

The structure of an observation essay is similar to other essays, consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each section plays a specific role in presenting and analyzing the observations made.

The Introduction:

The introduction of an observation essay should grab the reader’s attention and provide background information on the topic. It should also include a clear thesis statement that highlights the main idea or argument of the essay. For example:

“Through the detailed observations of [topic], this essay aims to explore [specific focus or research question].”

The Body Paragraphs:

The body paragraphs of an observation essay are where the writer presents and analyzes their observations. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or finding, supporting it with evidence and examples. It is essential to use descriptive language and sensory details to paint a vivid picture for the reader. Additionally, incorporating relevant quotes from interviews or other sources can add depth to the analysis.

The Conclusion:

The conclusion of an observation essay should provide a summary of the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. It should also offer a reflection on how the observations connect to the overall thesis statement and research question. This section helps to solidify the writer’s argument and leaves the reader with a sense of closure.

When writing an observation essay, it is important to adhere to the technical requirements set by the academic level and field of study. These may include specific formatting guidelines such as font size, spacing, citation style, and an appropriate structure for headings and subheadings. Following these requirements ensures a cohesive and professional presentation of the essay.

Table: Differences between Observation Essays and other Essay Types

In conclusion , understanding the structure of an observation essay is crucial for effectively presenting your findings and arguments. By following the suggested format, you can create a well-organized and engaging essay that captures the reader’s attention and provides a comprehensive analysis of your observations.

Tips for Starting an Observation Essay

Starting an observation essay can sometimes be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can capture your readers’ attention from the very beginning. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Begin with a brief overview

One effective way to start your observation essay is by providing a concise summary of the topic and your thesis statement. This sets the stage for what readers can expect throughout the essay.

Pose a thought-provoking question

Another approach to engage your readers is by asking a question related to the topic. This invites them to think critically and encourages them to continue reading to find the answer.

Capture attention with an interesting fact or description

Hook your readers by sharing a surprising fact or vividly describing the main setting of your observation. This creates intrigue and makes readers more eager to delve into your essay.

Employ a delay strategy or personal anecdote

To add an element of suspense or connect the past to the present, you can gradually reveal the subject of your observation essay. Alternatively, you can share a personal experience that relates to the topic, drawing readers in through your own perspective.

Remember, the starting strategy you choose should align with your essay’s requirements and target audience. Experiment with different approaches, take breaks to gain fresh perspectives, and seek feedback to refine your observation essay. By implementing these tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a captivating and engaging piece.

How should I begin an observation essay?

To start an observation essay, you can use various strategies. One approach is to provide a brief overview of the essay’s topic and thesis statement in a few short sentences. Another effective strategy is to pose a thought-provoking question related to the topic, inviting readers to consider the answer. Alternatively, you can grab readers’ attention by starting with an interesting fact or vivid description of the main setting. Additionally, you can add intrigue by relating a past experience to the present or gradually revealing the subject. Choose a strategy that aligns with your essay’s requirements and engages your target audience.

What is the structure of an observation essay?

The structure of an observation essay typically consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should include a captivating hook to grab the reader’s attention, provide background information on the topic, and present a clear and concise thesis statement that highlights the main idea of your essay. The body paragraphs are used to develop the thesis statement by presenting arguments, supporting evidence, and discussing the pros and cons of certain ideas. The conclusion should analyze how the thesis statement was developed throughout the essay and provide a succinct overview of the arguments and ideas presented.

What are some tips for starting an observation essay?

When starting an observation essay , it’s helpful to create an outline to organize your thoughts and ensure a coherent flow of ideas. To make your essay more engaging, use sensory details to vividly describe the scene and capture the mood in the introduction. End your essay with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Moreover, you can seek assistance and guidance from professional writers who can provide valuable help throughout the writing process.

Source Links

• https://pro-essay-writer.com/blog/observation-essay
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• https://vmagazinespain.com/instructions/starting-observation-essay.php3

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Home ➔ How to Write an Essay ➔ Observation Essay

Guide to Observation Essays

Whether you’re a budding writer, a curious student, or a seasoned professional looking to fine-tune your skills, this comprehensive guide on observation essays is for you. Writing is an art; like any art, it requires practice, understanding, and a touch of creativity. Observation essays, in particular, offer a unique platform to express, explore, and enhance our understanding of the world around us. This guide will provide you with the tools, tips, and insights needed to craft compelling observation essays, inviting your readers to see the world through your eyes.

Understanding the Observation Essay

What is an observation essay? An observation essay is a type of writing that aims to capture and share a personal experience of a particular event, object, or phenomenon through detailed, sensory-rich descriptions. It’s a genre that calls for writers to observe their surroundings, immerse themselves in the scenario, and then articulate their observations in a vivid, engaging manner.

Unlike narrative or reflective essays, an observation essay doesn’t merely tell a story or share a personal reflection. Instead, it places the spotlight firmly on the subject being observed. It’s a bit like a painter capturing a scene – the writer uses words instead of brushstrokes to bring their subject to life. The result? Readers should feel like they’re right there with the writer, experiencing firsthand observation.

Purpose and Importance

Observation essays serve a dual purpose. For the writer, they offer a platform to practice and hone descriptive writing skills. The requirement to delve deep into an observation encourages attentiveness, mindfulness, and a keen eye for detail – all vital skills for any writer. Plus, the freedom to choose your subject allows you to write about what truly interests or impacts you, making the process not just a learning experience but an enjoyable one too.

Observation essays allow the reader to see the world from a different perspective. A well-written essay can transport readers to new places, introduce them to new concepts, or make them see familiar things in a fresh light. It can evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire action.

Moreover, observation essays hold significant value in academic and professional contexts. They are commonly used in fields like social sciences, journalism, and creative writing, to name a few. They help students learn how to notice details, analyze their observations, and communicate effectively – skills that are invaluable in many career paths.

Importance of Objectivity

An observation essay is a fascinating blend of objectivity and subjectivity. The objectivity aspect calls for a clear, unbiased representation of what you observe. The goal here is to present your readers with a truthful, accurate depiction of the event, place, object, or person you’re observing without letting personal biases or preconceived notions color your descriptions.

Why is objectivity important? It’s simple – it lends credibility to your observation essay. When your descriptions are factual and unbiased, your readers can trust what you’re saying. This trust forms the bedrock of engaging, impactful writing. It’s what makes your readers feel like they’re right there with you, experiencing the observation firsthand.

However, this doesn’t mean you need to be a passive, emotionless observer. On the contrary, your role as an observer involves a level of active engagement. You need to be alert, attentive, and responsive to your surroundings. Objectivity doesn’t mean stripping your observation essay of emotion – it means ensuring that those emotions don’t distort the truth of your observation.

The Role of Personal Perception and Experience

While objectivity is crucial, it’s only half the story. The other half is your personal perception and experience – the subjective aspect of your observation essay.

Personal perception and experience are what make your observation essay uniquely yours. They allow you to bring a fresh perspective to your subject, highlight aspects others might overlook, and infuse your writing with your voice and style.

When describing your observations, consider how the scene made you feel, what it reminded you of, what surprised or intrigued you. Did it trigger any memories? Did it change your perspective on something? These are the insights your readers are looking for – the human element that transforms a simple observation into a compelling narrative.

However, remember that while personal perception and experience are important, they should never overshadow the observation itself. Think of them as the spice that enhances the flavor of your observation essay, not the main ingredient.

Balancing objectivity with personal perception and experience can be challenging, but it’s also what makes observation essays so rewarding. By learning to navigate this balance, you can create essays that are both credible and captivating – essays that inform and inspire.

The Pre-writing Stage Steps

Before you put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), some essential groundwork must be done. The pre-writing stage is all about preparation. It’s where you choose your subject, conduct your observation, and gather your notes. This stage is crucial as it sets the foundation for your observation essay. By investing time and thought into this preparatory phase, you can ensure a smoother, more effective writing process.

1. Choose a Subject for Observation

The first step in the pre-writing stage is choosing a subject for your observation essay. Your subject could be almost anything – a place, an event, a person, an object, or even a concept. The key is to choose a subject that you find intriguing or impactful – something that sparks your curiosity or resonates with you on a personal level. This personal interest or connection will not only make the observation process more enjoyable, but it will also shine through in your writing, engaging your readers.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Subject

When choosing a subject, consider its accessibility and observability. Can you spend enough time with your subject to make detailed, meaningful observations? Is it something that lends itself to description? A bustling market, for example, offers a wealth of sensory details to describe, whereas a quiet, empty room might not.

Think about your intended audience as well. What would they find interesting or informative? If you’re writing for a specific assignment, make sure your subject aligns with the assignment guidelines.

Lastly, consider the depth and complexity of your subject. A good subject should offer enough material to explore without being overwhelmingly complex.

Examples of Effective Subjects

Effective subjects for observation essays can range from the everyday to the extraordinary. A tranquil park at sunrise, a lively music festival, a skilled artisan at work, the behavior of birds at a feeder – these are all examples of subjects that offer rich observational opportunities. Remember, it’s not always about what you observe but how you observe it. Even the most mundane subjects can yield fascinating insights when observed with a keen, curious eye.

2. Conduct the Observation

Once you’ve chosen your subject, it’s time to conduct your observation. This is your opportunity to immerse yourself in your subject, to observe it in all its complexity and detail. It’s a process that requires patience, attentiveness, and a touch of creativity.

Tips for Effective Observation

Start by immersing yourself in your observation environment. Try to engage all your senses – not just sight, but also sound, touch, smell, and taste, where applicable. Take note of any details that catch your attention, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

Keep your mind open and receptive. Don’t rush to make interpretations or draw conclusions – just observe and record. The analysis will come later.

And finally, be patient. Some observations, like the behavior of animals or the unfolding of an event, can’t be rushed. Take your time and enjoy the process.

Ethical Guidelines for Observation

Observing ethically is crucial, especially when your subject involves other people. Always respect people’s privacy and dignity. If your observation involves watching people, ensure you have their consent. Avoid making assumptions or judgments about your subjects – remember, your role is to observe, not to critique.

3. Take Effective Notes

As you conduct your observation, taking effective notes is key. These notes will form the basis of your observation essay, so capturing as much detail as possible is important.

One strategy is to use descriptive phrases and sensory words to record your observations. Try to capture not just what you see but also what you hear, smell, touch, and taste.

Another strategy is to jot down your immediate thoughts and reactions. These can provide valuable insights when you begin writing your observation essay.

It can also be helpful to sketch or diagram your observation, particularly if you’re observing a complex scene or process. Don’t worry about your artistic skills – the goal is not to create a masterpiece but to capture key details and relationships visually.

Organizing Your Notes

Once you’ve gathered your notes, take some time to organize them. Group similar observations together. You might choose to organize them chronologically, thematically, or in order of importance. Look for patterns or interesting details that might serve as focal points for your observation essay.

Remember to keep your notes accessible and understandable. You might find it helpful to use symbols, color-coding, or other methods to highlight key observations or ideas.

Taking effective notes is a skill that improves with practice. So don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts seem chaotic or incomplete. With each observation, you’ll become better at capturing and organizing the details that will bring your essays to life.

The Writing Stage Steps

1. create an observation essay outline.

Creating an outline is one of the most effective ways to ensure a well-structured, cohesive observation essay. An outline serves as a roadmap for your essay, guiding you through each section and helping you organize your thoughts and observations. It helps you identify key points, develop a logical flow, and ensure that each part of your essay supports your thesis statement.

Beyond these structural benefits, an outline can make writing less daunting. Instead of facing a blank page, you’ll have a clear plan to follow, making it easier to get started and keep going.

The elements of an observation essay outline typically include:

• Introduction: This should include a hook to grab the reader’s attention, background information about your subject, and a thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a specific observation or group of related observations. Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Then, provide your detailed observations, using sensory language and vivid descriptions to bring your subject to life. Be sure to include your personal reactions or reflections, but remember to keep the focus on the subject.
• Conclusion: Summarize your key observations and reflect on their significance. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression, so try to end on a thought-provoking note.

Observation Essay Outline Example

Let’s say your subject is a local farmers’ market. Here’s what your outline might look like:

• Hook: A sensory-rich description to immerse the reader in the market scene
• Background: Brief information about the farmers’ market (where it’s located, when it takes place, etc.)
• Thesis statement: The main focus or angle of your observation essay (e.g., “The local farmers’ market is a vibrant testament to the power of community and sustainable living.”)
• Topic sentence: “The first thing that strikes you at the market is the abundance and diversity of fresh produce.”
• Detailed descriptions of the fruits, vegetables, and other items on display
• Your reactions to the variety and quality of the produce
• Topic sentence: “Behind each stall stands a vendor, each with their unique story and passion for what they do.”
• Descriptions of a few vendors, including their appearance, behavior, and interactions with customers
• Your reflections on the importance of supporting local farmers and producers
• Topic sentence: “The market buzzes with life, with customers of all ages and walks of life coming together to shop, eat, and socialize.”
• Observations of the customers and the overall atmosphere
• Your thoughts on the sense of community at the market
• Summary of your key observations
• Reflection on the significance of these observations (e.g., how the farmers’ market embodies values like community, sustainability, and support for local businesses)
• Closing thoughts: A comment or question to leave the reader thinking (e.g., “In a world dominated by supermarket chains, the simple act of shopping at a farmers’ market can be a powerful statement of support for our local communities and our planet.”)

Remember, this is just one possible approach to outlining an observation essay. Feel free to adapt this structure to suit your subject and your personal writing style.

2. Write the Introduction

The introduction is the first part of your observation essay that your readers will encounter, making it a crucial component of your piece. A well-crafted introduction sets the tone for the essay, provides necessary context, and guides your readers into the heart of your observations. It is here you must catch your reader’s attention, provide a sense of what they’re about to experience and assert your main argument or perspective.

How to Craft an Engaging Hook

An engaging hook is your first chance to pique your reader’s interest and entice them to continue reading. It’s the bait that draws them into the depth of your observation. When crafting your hook, aim to evoke an emotion, provoke a question, or paint a vivid picture that your reader will want to explore further.

Here are a few strategies for creating an engaging hook:

• Start with a vivid description: Use sensory language to immerse your reader in your observation right from the start. For example, “The farmers’ market buzzes with life, the air ripe with the scent of fresh fruits and the sounds of lively chatter.”
• Pose a thought-provoking question: A compelling question can intrigue your reader and prompt them to read on for the answer. For instance, “What if you could taste the heart and soul of a community in the food you eat?”
• Share a surprising fact or statistic: If a fact or statistic is related to your observation that might surprise or intrigue your reader, use it as your hook. For example, “Despite the rise of supermarket chains, over 8,000 farmers’ markets continue to thrive across the United States.”

Setting the Scene

Once you’ve hooked your reader, it’s time to set the scene. This is where you provide some background information about your subject. Be careful not to overwhelm your reader with details – just provide enough information to help them understand your observations. For example, you might describe the location of the farmers’ market, the time of day you visited, and any notable features.

Thesis Statement

The final component of your introduction is the thesis statement . This is a concise statement that establishes your main point or perspective on the subject you’re observing. It guides your entire essay, providing a clear focus for your observations.

Your thesis statement should be specific and debatable, sparking interest and guiding your subsequent observations. For a farmers’ market observation essay, your thesis statement might be something like, “The local farmers’ market serves not only as a venue for selling fresh produce but also as a vibrant gathering spot that fosters a sense of community and sustainability.”

Remember, your introduction should entice, inform, and guide. By crafting an engaging hook, setting the scene effectively, and asserting a compelling thesis statement, you set the stage for an enticing observation essay.

Introduction example

As the sun peeks over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange, the local town square begins to stir with life. This is no ordinary morning buzz – it’s the herald of the weekly farmers’ market, a vibrant gathering that transforms the sleepy square into a bustling hub of community and sustainability. This is our local farmers’ market, a testament to the power of local produce, community interaction, and sustainable living.

Nestled in the heart of our small town, the market unfurls every Saturday, breathing life and color into the cobblestone square. Farmers and artisans from around the area converge, setting up their stalls under the early morning sky, their goods a tapestry of the region’s bounty.

I will take you on a journey through this vibrant market scene, exploring its abundant produce, passionate vendors, and diverse clientele. More than just a place to buy fresh produce, our local farmers’ market serves as a testament to the strength of community spirit and the importance of sustainable living. Together, we’ll uncover how this bustling market embodies these values, offering a unique perspective into the heart of our community.

3. Write the Body Paragraphs

The body of your observation essay is where you delve into the heart of your subject, exploring it in detail and sharing your insights with your reader. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your observation, developing a clear point that supports your thesis statement. Here, you’ll use vivid language and sensory details to bring your observations to life, balancing raw description with thoughtful interpretation.

The Chronological or Thematic Approach

When structuring your body paragraphs, you have two main approaches to choose from: the chronological approach or the thematic approach.

The chronological approach follows the order of your observation, moving through each aspect as it occurred in time. This approach is particularly useful when observing events or processes, as it allows you to capture the progression and dynamics of your subject.

The thematic approach , on the other hand, groups observations by themes or categories. For example, in an observation essay about a farmers’ market, you might have separate paragraphs for the variety of produce, the vendors, and the customers. This approach can provide a more organized and focused exploration of your subject, especially when observing complex or multifaceted subjects.

Using Sensory Details and Vivid Language

A key part of writing an engaging observation essay is bringing your subject to life through detailed descriptions. Try to engage all of your reader’s senses – not just sight but also sound, touch, smell, and taste.

Use vivid language to paint a picture of your subject in the reader’s mind. Don’t just say that the market was busy – describe the hustle and bustle, the clatter of stalls being set up, the chatter of vendors, and the aroma of fresh bread wafting from a nearby stall.

Remember, the aim is not to list facts but to immerse your reader in the experience. Show, don’t tell. Instead of saying, “The apples were fresh,” you might write, “The apples gleamed under the morning sun, their skins smooth and taut, promising a sweet, crisp bite.”

Balancing Description and Interpretation

While rich descriptions are vital to an observation essay, they should be balanced with interpretation. This means reflecting on what you’ve observed and considering its significance.

Interpretation allows you to move beyond mere description to offer insights and analysis. It’s where you connect your specific observations to your broader thesis statement. For instance, after describing the variety of produce at the farmers’ market, you might reflect on what this variety reveals about the richness of local agriculture, the changing seasons, or the value of sustainable farming practices.

Remember, the goal is not to make sweeping judgments but to offer thoughtful, grounded reflections on your observations. By balancing detailed descriptions with insightful interpretation, you can craft body paragraphs that are vivid, engaging, insightful, and meaningful.

4. Write the Conclusion

The conclusion of your observation essay is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader. It’s where you tie together your main points and observations and reflect on their broader significance. A well-crafted conclusion should summarize what you’ve observed and explore the meaning and implications of these observations.

Summarizing Key Observations

Start your conclusion by summarizing your key observations. Remind your reader of the main points you’ve made in your body paragraphs. For example, you might recap the variety of produce, the dedication of the vendors, and the vibrant atmosphere at the farmers’ market.

However, avoid simply repeating what you’ve already said. Instead, aim to synthesize your observations, bringing them together in a way that highlights their connections and overall significance.

Personal Thoughts and Lessons Learned

After summarizing your key observations, share your personal thoughts and reflections. This is where you can explore the implications of your observations and what they’ve taught you. For instance, you might reflect on how your visit to the farmers’ market has deepened your appreciation for local produce or how it’s made you more aware of the importance of supporting local farmers and sustainable farming practices.

Conclusion Example

Throughout my observation at the local farmers’ market, I encountered a vibrant community hub, not just a simple venue for buying and selling produce. The wide variety of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables showcased the richness of our local agriculture and the changing seasons. The dedication of the vendors, each passionately explaining their farming practices and the benefits of their produce, highlighted the deep connections between the food we eat, the land it grows on, and the people who cultivate it.

The vibrant atmosphere of the farmers’ market, filled with lively chatter, the hustle of customers, and the tantalizing aromas of freshly baked bread and ripe fruits, left an indelible mark on me. It made me realize how these markets are not just about food but also about community, sustainability, and connection to the land.

This visit has deepened my appreciation for local produce and has made me more aware of the importance of supporting local farmers. It was not just a simple shopping experience but rather an educational journey that has impacted the way I think about food, farming, and community. I hope my observations can inspire others to visit their local farmers’ market, support local farmers, and appreciate the richness and vitality of such community hubs.

Observing the local farmers’ market has been a journey of discovery. Through careful observation and reflection, I’ve come to appreciate this lively marketplace as a symbol of our community’s resilience, a showcase of local agriculture, and a testament to the value of sustainable farming practices. As I continue to visit the farmers’ market, I look forward to observing more, learning more, and deepening my understanding of this vibrant community space.

Language Use, Tone, and Style

As you write your observation essay, keep these writing tips in mind:

• Use clear, concise language: Avoid jargon and unnecessarily complex language. Your goal is to communicate your observations and insights clearly and effectively, not to impress your reader with big words.
• Maintain a consistent tone: The tone of your observation essay should reflect your subject and your approach to observing it. A light, conversational tone might be appropriate for an essay about a lively farmers’ market, while a more serious, formal tone might be better suited to an observation essay about a solemn historical site.
• Vary your sentence structure: To keep your writing engaging, vary your sentence structure. Mix short sentences with longer ones, and vary your use of simple, compound, and complex sentences.
• Show, don’t tell: Instead of telling your reader what you observed or how you felt, show them through vivid descriptions and sensory details.
• Stay focused on your subject: While personal reflections are important, remember to keep your subject at the center of your essay. Your observations and insights should illuminate your subject, not overshadow it.

By keeping these writing tips in mind, you can ensure that your observation essay is detailed, insightful, clear, engaging, and well-crafted.

Finalizing the Essay: Tips for Polishing Your Work

Once you’ve finished the initial drafting of your observation essay, your work is far from over. The final, perhaps most crucial step is revising and editing your essay to ensure it is as polished and effective as possible. Here are some tips to help you finalize your work:

1. Read Your Essay Aloud: Reading your observation essay aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and areas where your flow is disrupted. As you read, listen for places where you stumble or pause – these are likely spots that need smoothing out.

2. Check for Clarity and Coherence: Make sure your ideas are expressed clearly and your points are coherent. Each paragraph should have a clear focus, and all your paragraphs should tie together to support your overall thesis statement.

3. Look for Detailed Descriptions: Go through your essay and check if your descriptions are vivid and engaging enough. Have you used sensory language to bring your observations to life? Can your reader clearly envision what you’ve observed? If not, consider adding more detail or using more vivid language.

4. Balance Description and Interpretation: Ensure that your observation essay balances description and interpretation well. While your descriptions bring your subject to life, your interpretations provide the depth and insight that make your essay truly engaging.

5. Review Your Introduction and Conclusion: Your introduction should effectively hook your reader and provide a clear thesis statement, while your conclusion should summarize your key observations and reflections. Make sure both of these sections are strong and effective.

6. Proofread: Finally, proofread your essay carefully to catch any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Don’t rely solely on spell-check software – they can miss certain types of errors. If possible, have someone else proofread your observation essay as well. They may catch errors you’ve overlooked.

7. Take a Break: If time allows, step away from your essay for a day or two before you begin revising. This can help you approach your work with fresh eyes and spot errors or inconsistencies you might have missed in your initial drafting.

Remember, writing is a process, and it’s okay to make multiple revisions. By carefully polishing your work, you can ensure that your observation essay is not only clear and engaging but also provides a substantial, insightful, and comprehensive exploration of your subject.

Exercises for Developing Observation and Writing Skills

Developing strong observation and writing skills requires practice. Here are some exercises that can help you hone these skills, making your observation essays more detailed, insightful, and engaging.

1. Sensory Exploration: Choose an object, place, or event to observe. Write a paragraph describing it using each of the five senses. This exercise can help you practice using sensory language, which is crucial for bringing your observations to life.

2. People-Watching: Go to a public place and observe the people around you. Write a short description of a person or a group of people, focusing not only on their appearance but also their actions and interactions. This can help you practice observing and describing people, which can be useful for many types of observation essays.

3. Event Analysis: Attend a local event, such as a festival, concert, or sports game. As you observe the event, take notes on what is happening and the atmosphere and the reactions of the people around you. Afterward, write a short essay analyzing the event. This exercise can help you practice observing, note-taking, and analytical writing.

4. Reflective Writing: After observing a subject, write a reflective journal entry about the experience. Explore what you observed and your thoughts and feelings about it. This can help you practice reflective writing, which is important for the interpretation part of an observation essay.

5. Revise and Edit: Choose a piece of writing you’ve completed in the past – it could be a previous observation essay, a school assignment, or even a personal journal entry. Revise and edit it using the tips provided in this guide. This exercise can help you practice the crucial skills of revising and editing.

Remember, the key to improving your observation and writing skills is practice. By regularly engaging in exercises like these, you can continue to grow and refine your skills, enhancing the quality of your observation essays.

How to Write an Observation Essay

Have you ever dreamed of drawing a beautiful picture? Maybe a landscape or a portrait of your favorite actor? Unfortunately, not all of us have an inborn talent for drawing or enough time to practice artistic skills. There is a nice alternative: an observation essay.

Observation essays are almost like pictures. But your major tool to create them won’t be brushes and paints, but words and phrases. Of course, a brilliant observation essay example also requires particular skills (the ones our writers posses providing “ write essay for me ” help. Firstly, you should have either a good memory (when you write about your personal experience) or a good imagination. Secondly, your writing skills also have to be impressive. Finally, it is all about observation. You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes and remember (or imagine) the smallest nuances. But you won’t be able to create a good picture without vivid details, right?

Our guide will help you to figure out what makes an observation essay a special type of writing assignment, and how to compose it in a proper way. We’ll also provide you with a well-written observation essay example so you’ll have a template for your own paper. Take a closer look at this genre. We are sure that you’ll fall in love with it as well as our scholarship essay writer .

Observation essay definition

An observation essay is a truly unique type of paper. Officially, it is an academic type of paper. Yet, we’d classify it as a piece of creative writing. (You can check our narrative essay outline example to better understand what we mean here.) Such essays allow readers to feel the atmosphere of the described event or experience. A writer can achieve the effect of presence using accurate wording and vivid details. You can describe in your paper various topics: the first rock con, a weekend with your best friend, or a meeting of a particular support group. Unlike a classification essay outline that is observation essay can show any picture. Everything depends on the painter!

Crafting observation essays is an opportunity to investigate and explore a host of topics, ranging the behavior of human beings to natural occurrences. The goal here is not only to depict what has been observed but also interpret it in a meaningful way.

In order to write a compelling observation essay, there are several key components you should include:

• Clear description of the subject being observed
• Analysis and interpretation of the observations made
• Use of sensory details to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind
• Reflection on the writer’s own experiences and biases in relation to the subject

All in all, an observation essay is a powerful tool for the author to contemplate and comprehend their environment through precise examination and contemplation.

10 quick-fire tips to write an observation essay

Below, you’ll find a list of common and extraordinary observation essay tips. You can use all of them or only a few. (Most will also come in handy when you wonder how to write an academic film review .) Anyway, they’ll make your piece of writing better.

1. First-person narration

Surprisingly, this type of academic writing allows first-person narration , unlike most other academic tasks such as write my term paper or write my dissertation assignments which are more formal and require concise and straightforward language. The main purpose is to give your readers a feeling that your memory is actually theirs. The words “I,” “my,” and “mine” become your best friends when you write an observation essay.

2. Realistic details

The devil is in the details, right? This applies to observation essays. Your task is to stimulate your readers’ imagination. And the best technique is detailing. Eye color, temperature of coffee, your heartbeat – everything matters.

3. All the senses

Although visual perception of information is the most important form for the majority of people, other senses also matter. Try to mention smells, touches, sounds, and tastes in your essay , like you would do if dealing with “ write my personal statement ” prompts, to make it more real for your audience.

4. Perfect wording

Sometimes, even one word can change the meaning of the phrase. Don’t neglect the opportunity to pull the heartstrings of your readers! If you feel that a particular word doesn’t fit well, replace it using synonyms. We are sure that you’ll eventually find the perfect variant.

5. Use of comparisons

Good comparisons are a great tool to create a certain impression. For example: “This cake tastes like a cloud.” You know that clouds are simply drops of water. But when it comes to cakes, this comparison creates a totally different impression, right?

6. Informal language

Forget about formalities, complex words, and terminology. Your purpose is to create a certain atmosphere, not to amaze your readers with your language performance or eloquence. Your manner of writing has to be simple and understandable. In such a way, your readers will easily follow your thoughts.

7. Elegant simplicity

An observation essay has to be simple but not too simple. In other words, it should be as simple as a little black dress, not as ripped jeans and a baggy sweater. We hope that this comparison is enough to understand the principle. If still confused, think of the principles you follow when designing your “ write my PowerPoint presentation ” assignment: straightforward language and comparisons for the audience to get the message properly and prevent controversies.

8. Relaxation

Seriously, relax! When you are nervous, your thinking becomes cloudy. You can’t imagine a clear picture and certainly can’t draw it for your readers. Take a deep breath – the right words will come to your mind automatically!

9. A recent experience

If you decide to describe your personal experience in the essay, we highly recommend you to choose an event that is not old and unfamiliar. Childhood memories might be beautiful, but they’re blurred as well.

10. One shot

We don’t recommend you to extend the pleasure of the writing process for several days. You should write your essay in one shot in order to keep your inspiration and specific mood. On the other hand, the process of editing may take a few days.

How to write an observation essay step by step

When you have all the tips, you need a writing plan. A good instruction can simplify even the most difficult process , and that is why outlining is a must-take step for your “ write my assignment ” inquiries to succeed. Here is your writing plan:

• Choose a topic

If your life is bright and full of great moments that you can share, the choice is obvious. Describing your personal experience is much easier than anything imagined. However, if your fantasy works very well, you can describe whatever you want. Just make sure that it is interesting for your audience, not only for you.

• Use keywords

When the right scene comes to your mind, don’t waste a minute! Write down all the phrases and words that your memory offers you. You don’t have to follow any system or principles like other “ write my college essay ” assignments prescribe , as you’ll structure your thoughts later.

• Close your eyes

That might seem weird, but this tip really works. When you close your eyes, you get totally concentrated on what is happening in your conscious. Plus, it is easier to imagine smells and sounds with your eyes closed.

• Stream of consciousness

Don’t try to control your thoughts. Just let them fly. In such a way, your memory will be able to provide you with really surprising details.

• Make an outline

When you have enough material, it’s the right moment to shape it. Remember about the elements of good narration: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Forget about the standard five-paragraph structure! It is too boring for this type of writing.

• Write the first draft

You’re ready for this serious step! Don’t be too demanding, and give yourself a chance and the right for a mistake. Your observation essay doesn’t have to be perfect on the first try. Nothing is perfect at once, even such formal and complex documents like those you get for “ write my coursework ” inquiries. You’ll have time to make it perfect a bit later.

• Take a break

Yes, we mean it. You do need rest! You’ve done great work, so feel free to make yourself a cup of tea or eat a piece of cake. A nap is also fine in this case. Your brain needs a reset.

It is unlikely that your first draft will satisfy all your demands. Maybe you need to remove a paragraph or add another one. Replace words, expressions, and even whole phrases if necessary.

• Edit and proofread

If you feel like your draft can’t be any better, then it’s time for editing and proofreading. We highly recommend you to use online services to check your text, especially when you ask some “ write my paper for cheap ” experts for help, as the human eye is not always attentive enough.

• Get feedback

This step can also be considered as a part of the editing process. The most important thing is to watch how other people read your observation essay. If you see a display of emotion on their faces, then you’ve done everything right.

An exclusive observation essay example for you

We classify an observation essay as a type of creative writing. This means that there are no strict rules or restrictions, like with write my APA paper or write my research paper tasks, of course, if they are not specified by your instructor. Anyway, we hope that you’ll learn from the observation essay example below about how it should be written. We also hope that you won’t commit plagiarism.

Fall Into the Sky

My bare feet feel the cold metal surface of the pier. It’s so good to feel this coolness after a long walk. My skin is goosebumpy, but excitement overcomes all other feelings. I come to the edge of the pier. The only sounds to break the silence are a gentle whisper of waves and my own breath.

I look down and see nothing. Only black emptiness. There is no moon in the sky, and I can’t see its magnificent reflection. But I keep trying to focus, and after a few moments, I see tiny spots of light on the water surface – shiny stars.

I’ve almost forgotten about my main purpose while watching stars and listening to the silence. A light breeze refreshes my mind and cools my body. My pulse is racing, and my thinking is becoming a bit cloudy. I make a step.

Just for a moment, I don’t feel anything. My body has no weight, and my mind is empty.

Then, I feel my feet hitting the water slightly. The temperature remains the same, as the water is no cooler than air on an August night. My muscles relax, but my lungs remind me that I can’t breathe underwater.

I swim out and take a deep breath. I float on water face up. I see the stars in the sky, and I see their fading reflections. I swim among the stars.

Help with observation essay writing

We are sure that you’ve enjoyed reading our observation essay example. With our instructions, tips, and sample, you are now ready to start writing your own essay without the help of any AI writing tool ! Don’t neglect our recommendations – you’ll provide a real masterpiece with them. EssayShark is always ready to help you with your   “ do my essay ” and any other writing problems, so apply to us if your homework is taking over you!

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• The Main Observation Essay Peculiarities to Observe
• Writing an Observation Essay Made Easy

Definition & Goals

Paper structure, introduction, body paragraphs, observation paper writing tips.

• Observation Essay Topics

Help with Observation Essay

Global Education Monitoring Report by UNESCO states that the total youth literacy rate in Egypt is 63. How did the organization come up with this conclusion? The answer to this question is observational statistics .

If you want to learn how to write an observation essay, you should know how to carry out the research. This article will provide you with some good topics for an observation essay, its definition, tips on writing, and a vision of this paper’s structure. As another option you can always ask a professional essay writer for help!

To define, an observation essay is a paper based on remarks and findings of an individual, group of people, or a specific event . The goal is to describe your observations on a particular theme using many details. Remember that it is not a research paper.

Write your observation essay in the   present tense , creating an impression of keeping in touch with the event as if the reader was in the described place or writer’s reality. Sharing feelings and pointing out the notes on the event make the paper more realistic and engaging.

If your instructions do not specify the writing style, choose out of the available formats accepted in any college or university: MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian, AMA, Harvard or ASA format essay . The choice depends on the academic level and field of study. Select a style with the most formal structure. The majority of writing formats contain the following elements:

• Title/Cover page
• Indents requirements
• Page numbers
• Bibliography page

As for technical requirements, composing an observation essay, the author needs to write in the   first person . Such an essay’s structure is usually similar to the other essays: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. 

A decent introduction consists of a hook, background information, and a thesis statement. An essay hook is a sentence or two aimed at catching the reader’s attention to persuade them to carry on reading. Use a subtle joke, informative statistics, exciting facts, or a challenging question, and the reader will more likely proceed reading the rest of your essay. 

Make sure to visit our blog on how to write a hook for an essay  to create an irresistible opinion essay introduction.

Provided background information will create a total understanding of what the paper is about. The reader will be able to catch the main idea and the content of such a text. The author should be concise and not reveal too many details in the introduction.

The thesis statement most often is a 2-clauses sentence that highlights the main idea of the text. It raises questions and prepares the reader for its development in body paragraphs. The thesis in an observation essay could be a general impression from a subject of observations.

Traditionally, there’s no absolute measurement of how long your text should be. But generally, such a type of paper consists of 3-5 body paragraphs . However, don’t hesitate to specify the amount with your tutor.

Body paragraphs are given to you for disclosing the topic , i.e., developing the thesis statement, providing the reader with arguments and facts on the pros and cons of certain ideas. Writing an observation essay, you can use more figurative language to make your text more immersive.

Also, an observation essay’s purpose requires the writer to use the first person while writing.

The last part of your essay ‒ which usually is 1 paragraph ‒ is the easiest to perform. In conclusion, you need to analyze how you developed the thesis statement, provide the shortest ever overview of your arguments and ideas, and finish the text in a way that makes the reader think of it. Are you looking for an essay conclusion template ? Read our guide.

Writing an observation essay, you should be more attentive to details: mark how a particular journalist or professional writer plans and structures the recent articles discussing the current events. Daily news events could play a role of an excellent observation essay example to study.

Let’s review some of the tips regarding an observation essay:

• Write an observation essay outline if you are stuck with no idea how to start. Include the details like the number of paragraphs, specify headings, create a thesis statement, highlight main points and issues to cover. It is always a good idea to break down your task into pieces when working on the essay template . 
• Write down three to five good ideas that you will try to defend in your work on a separate paper sheet. Every page must contain the sound, smell, touch, image, and taste of the chosen subject. Keep in mind that you’re not writing a descriptive essay. 
• Present the scene, theme, and mood of the observation essay in your introduction. The scenery will be a good fit as the hook for your reader from the opening lines. 
• Fill the body paragraphs with numerous observational details and evidence to support the main argument. Feel free to use figurative language as you need to immerse a reader into your view on the subject. But be attentive while writing, not to fall into  descriptive essay examples . 
• End your observational writing with a conclusion that leaves a powerful impression on a reader. Reflect on the paper’s thesis statement, list the main arguments and reasons for the further discussion of the subject, and provide some forecasts.
• Use personal experience to meet the paper’s criteria. Working on data & facts shared by other people does not make a legitimate observation essay. 
• In case you use quotations, devote the last page to references . List all the cited works with the rights reserved to make your text free of plagiarism and avoid potential problems with intellectual property. 

Observation Essay Topics 

The list of observation essay topics can be endless – choose the one carefully based on the latest events in the cinematography, literature, music, or entire world. Read through the checklist on how to select a topic for an observation essay:

• Stick to the topic that excites you . Why spend your life on things that make you unhappy when there’s an option to avoid them? Moreover, the final text will be way more attractive for readers if you fill it with your interest in the topic. 
• Do a little research . It is crucial to choose the most appropriate angle of your paper. The research will also help you to narrow your topic down and make it more informative. 
• Write about familiar things . It is easy to make your paper inappropriate if you try to present a new topic while writing.
• Observe the recent news in different human activity fields to create a list of great topics on a separate page.
• Attend an event to get inspired . Include such details as who attended the event, why people organized that event, the meeting’s goals and place, and how it enriched your personal/professional experience.

If you still encounter difficulties with the choice, take a look at the shortlist of good observation essay topics to pick the best writing idea:

• Why do I find punctuality important?
• The movie I never get tired to re-watch
• Do I value honor more than material goods?
• Three simple ways to get rid of the depression
• Music is the best therapy in many life situations
• What sort of gift I believe is the best for my mom?
• The way we behave is the mirror of our personality
• The role of freedom in the life of the average American citizen

Congratulations on completing reading an ultimate guide on how to write an observation essay. In case you feel you lack writing experience or have some questions regarding your writing assignment be it an observation essay, a synthesis paper or an exploratory essay , feel free to get help from the professionals without leaving your home! Keep in mind that our writing services are at your disposal round the clock. Contact us, place your order, get a perfect paper, and make the best impression on your teacher and classmates!

Informative essay writing is not as simple as it might seem. You should inform the readers about the peculiarities of the topic. However, it should be done in a bias and opinion free manner. To master the art of informative essay writing, read the article. In it you will find writing tips, see a wel...

An effective rhetorical text should pull strings. When composing a rhetorical analysis essay, an essay writer should recognize these strings and explore what makes the text convincing. While most students care about the reader's involvement, none of that works if textual analysis lacks critical aspe...

Being proficient at writing essay hooks is a vital skill to master for students in academic writing. It will be harder to make your readers get excited to read your essays without it. Suppose that you have produced some reliable content to present. Still, if you miss using a strong attention grabber...

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How to write an observation essay: Detailed Instructions

Over the course of your academic study, you will be given many different assignments, one of which may turn out to be an observational essay. We will tell you how to write an observational paper, and provide you with a few tips on how to make more engaging for the reader.

Answer the "What is an Observation Essay" Question

In reality, it is one of the easiest and the most interesting academic assignments. However, some students may get confused about the requirements for such an essay because they are used to writing analytical papers.

Useful Observation Essay Tips

Before we begin describing the structure, formatting and other aspects of an observation essay, we would like to give you some observation essay tips on how to make this essay stand out from the rest.

#1 Choose the object of observation that fascinates you. You wouldn't want to spend hours or even days observing something, or someone, whom you are not very fond of. If you were assigned the topic for the observation essay, try to focus on the point that may interest you and use it as a cornerstone for your description. For instance, if you were told to write an observation essay about the representative of a particular subculture such as street artists, while you are not fond of them as individuals, try to focus your observations on their artistic works, not their personalities.

#2 Use all your senses to create a more vivid picture of the things that you observe. Don't limit your observations to just looking at things or people. Try to touch these things, smell or even taste them; engage in a prolonged conversation with people whom you are observing, find out more about their personalities and then watch their behavior while having a better understanding of their inner world. It will help you get an entirely different perspective on the object or the subject and make your observation essay much more vivid and engaging.

#3 Try to apply present tence. This way you will allow the readers to perceive the events that you describe in the essay as if they are unfolding right before them, thus improving the engagement and the interest in the depicted event or object.

Observation essay structure: Coherent and well-grounded

Being asked to write such an academic paper many students get slightly confused because they are not really sure about how to structure an observation essay. They think that since it doesn't require the traditional set of academic writing skills, the structuring should also be unconventional. In reality, the structure of an observation essay is not different from the format of any other academic paper. It must have the following parts:

• Introduction

If you don't know how to start an observation essay, well, the answer is quite obvious: start it with the introduction. It is the part where the author has to get the reader acquainted with the object or the event that he or she intends to describe in the essay. This introduction should be succinct but informative, not drawing the reader's focus from the actual observation process.

You must never forget that the observation essay introduction must also include a thesis statement. However, unlike other essays, the thesis statement in an observation essay shouldn't support or deny any arguments or contain any strong statements for that matter. It would be sufficient to say why this observation is important for your field of academic study and what methods you used when conducting it.

Just like in any other academic paper, the observation essay includes from one to five paragraphs. Each of those should be logically connected with each other and form a complete picture of an event or an object that you have been describing. Try to put as much information as possible in each paragraph and make your description vivid and detailed. Don't just limit yourself to describing the overall appearance of the object or the things that happened during the event. Write about what you feel when you make the observations. Look for details which are not apparent for the ordinary viewer.

In your observation essay conclusion, you must rephrase and restate your thesis statement and then describe your overall impression regarding the process of observation and the event or the subject that you have been observing. Again, there is no need to make any strong statements, just tell the reader that you enjoyed making an observation. Basically, that is all you need to know about how to end an observation essay.

Observation essay format styles

In most cases, observation essays are written using MLA as it is the most popular and the most appropriate formatting style for this writing assignment. However, your teacher may ask you to prepare the paper applying APA or Chicago style for your observation essay format. Nevertheless, it shouldn't pose a problem since observation essays don't require plenty of quoting and references.

Observation essay outline: See the structure clearly

Frequently, you will be asked to write an outline for observation essay. In case you don't know how to do it appropriately, we will gladly provide a good example of the observation essay outline.

• Observation of human behavior during protests
• The behavior of people may change radically during different stages of protest
• How I joined the protest event called Occupy Wall Street
• How people behaved at the initial stages of the protest
• How their behavior changed when they confronted the representative of a large trading firm
• How passers-by reacted to the protesters
• The thoughts about the overall experience
• What make people so agitated when they participate in protests

Writing a Descriptive Essay

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Your first task in writing a descriptive essay is to choose a topic that has many interesting parts or qualities to talk about. Unless you have a really vivid imagination, you'll find it difficult to write much about a simple object like a comb, for example. It's best to compare a few topics first to make sure they'll work.

The next challenge is to figure out the best way to describe your chosen subject in such a way as to relay a complete experience to the reader, so that he or she is able to see, hear, and feel through your words.

Organize Thoughts Before Drafting

As in any writing, the drafting stage is key to writing a successful descriptive essay. Since the purpose of the essay is to paint a mental image of a specific subject, it helps to make a list of all the things you associate with your topic.

For example, if your subject is the farm where you visited your grandparents as a child you would list all the things you associate with that place. Your list should include both general attributes associated with a farm and the more personal and specific things that make it special to you and the reader.

Start with general details

Then add the unique details:

• That spot by the pig barn where you fell in the manure.
• Playing hide and seek in the cornfields.
• Picking wild greens for dinner with your grandmother.
• The stray dogs that always wandered onto the farm.
• Scary coyotes howling in the night.

By tying these details together you can make the essay more relatable to the reader. Making these lists will allow you to see how you can tie things from each list together.

Describing Descriptions 

At this stage, you should determine a good order for the objects you'll describe. For example, if you are describing an object, you should determine whether you want to describe its appearance from top to bottom or side to side.

Remember that it is important to begin your essay on a general level and work your way down to specifics. Start by outlining a simple five-paragraph essay with three main topics. Then you may expand on this basic outline.

Next, you will begin to construct a thesis statement and a trial topic sentence for each main paragraph.

• The thesis sentence should convey your overall impression of your subject. Does it make you happy? Is it attractive or ugly? Is your object useful?
• Each topic sentence should introduce a new part or stage of your chosen topic.

Don't worry, you can change these sentences later. It's time to start writing paragraphs !

Beginning to Draft

As you build your paragraphs, you should avoid confusing the reader by bombarding them with unfamiliar information immediately; you must ease your way into your topic in your introductory paragraph . For example, instead of saying,

The farm was where I spent most summers holidays. During the summer we played hide and seek in the cornfields and walked through the cow pastures to pick wild greens for supper. Nana always carried a gun for snakes.

Instead, give the reader a broad view of your subject and work your way into the details. A better example would be:

In a small rural town in central Ohio was a farm surrounded by miles of cornfields. In this place, on many warm summer days, my cousins and I would run through the cornfields playing hide and seek or making our own crop circles as clubhouses. My grandparents, whom I called Nana and Papa, lived on this farm for many years. The old farmhouse was large and always full of people, and it was surrounded by wild animals. I spent many of my childhood summers and holidays here. It was the family gathering place.

Another simple rule of thumb to remember is "show don't tell." If you want to describe a feeling or action you should reinvent it through the senses rather than just state it. For example, instead of:

I got excited every time we pulled into the driveway of my grandparent's house.

Try to elaborate on what was really going on in your head:

After sitting for several hours in the back seat of the car, I found the slow crawl up the driveway to be absolute torture. I just knew Nana was inside waiting with freshly baked pies and treats for me. Papa would have some toy or trinket hidden somewhere but he would pretend not to recognize me for a few minutes just to tease me before he gave it to me. As my parents would struggle to pry the suitcases out of the trunk, I would bounce all the way up the porch and rattle the door until someone finally let me in.

The second version paints a picture and puts the reader in the scene. Anyone can be excited. What your reader needs and wants to know is, what makes it exciting?

Keep It Specific

Finally, don't try to cram too much into one paragraph. Use each paragraph to describe a different aspect of your subject. Check to make sure that your essay flows from one paragraph to the next with good transition statements .

The conclusion of your paragraph is where you can tie everything together and restate the thesis of your essay. Take all the details and summarize what they mean to you and why it is important.

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• What an Essay Is and How to Write One

Observation Essay: Example and Tips

If you want to leave an unforgettable impression on the reader, when writing an observation essay, you might need experience of experts. Read the article below to learn how to write an observation essay and see examples of all three parts of the essay.

What are the features and qualities, which differ observation essay from other types of essays? Observation essay is close to the narrative one with the mandatory element: the author must tell about his personal experience. In the observation essay, it is not enough to write statistical data and facts borrowed from other sources. Author must reflect his thoughts, events of his life or observations he made. Without that feature, the essay may not be considered an observation essay.

• 1 Example of topics for observation essays
• 2.1 Example of introduction to observation essay. Topic “How I left everything and started traveling”
• 3.1 Example of main part to observation essay
• 4.1 Example of observation essay conclusion
• 5 Final actions when writing observation essay

Example of topics for observation essays

• How I left everything and started traveling (used as example)
• Influence of videogames
• Does the music cure?
• Role of money in modern life
• How to become a leader?
• Success in sports equals success in life
• My reflection of the world around
• Work of a teacher as I see it

Writing introduction to observation essay

There are two possible cases connected with the choice of the topic. If the topic was given by the teacher, you have no need to explain it. But if the topic was open and you made the choice yourself, you need to substantiate why exactly this topic deserves your attention. Such an explanation may be a good introductory part of the observation essay.

Pay attention to the size of structural parts of the essay. Introduction of observation essay should take about 15-20 percent of the entire work. This amount of words must be enough to make the reader want to read your narration and know you better. Using a quote of a famous person may also be used as catchy element of the introduction.

This essay presents my true story about how I decided to leave everything and start traveling. How I argued with my parents and solved problems with the authorities. How an ordinary trip to Asia has become for me a symbol and solid soil, which helped me not change my mind and bring it to the end.

Example of introduction to observation essay. Topic “How I left everything and started traveling”

What to do when you want to quit everything and leave to travel? In the era of social networks, the Internet is full of appeals to quit everything and go to another city, country, to travel. There are many stories about people who left the family and went on a round-the-world trip to find themselves and their path.

In this essay, I do not want to condemn anyone, I do not want to talk about the correctness or wrongness of the decisions of people who abandoned everything. I will not talk about various financial opportunities and social inequality. I just want to tell you my story of escaping from the office.

The story began just like that:

– “When we get home, I’ll quit my job,” I told my friend.

– Come on.

– “I’m serious,” I said, and turned my face to the warm rays of the Thai sun.

Writing main part of observation essay

After laying the foundation of the story telling in the introduction, move on to the main part of observation essay. All the thoughts, events and ideas must be described in this structural unit. It is the biggest part in the amount of words and takes about 65 percent of the total volume of the paper.

In case of short observation essay, main body consists of three paragraphs, where the author presents three separate ideas. All of them should be confirmed. The main rule of writing the body of observation essay is that it should be personal and based on personal experience of the author.

Example of main part to observation essay

It was the year 2004, and we spent a vocation on Koh Samui. We just arrived from Chiang Mai, where I met five travelers who inspired me to a nomadic life. I was under the strongest impression of their way of life. No stuffy offices and gossiping colleagues, no traffic jams and boss, is not it a fairy tale? I wanted to live like that. Moreover, I seriously intended to change my life. I even began to prepare for this serious step while still in Thailand, although I had no idea what to do and where to start.

While we were relaxing at the beaches of Koh Samui, I bought a guidebook from Lonely Planet in Southeast Asia. Then I did not even know where I wanted to go, from where on the map I decided to start my experience as a traveler, not as a tourist. I only knew that everything is cheap and it is warm in Asia. After buying the guidebook, my idea grew out of the rank of empty dreams into something more real. It was then that I suddenly realized that, in fact, I can really change my life. This thing played the role of a point of no return. Now the usual guidebook has become for me a symbol, confirming the firmness of my intentions.

I read every page in this little book when I got home. I marked out the place which I would like to visit, planed the routes, and already mentally gathered for the road. By the time our plane landed at JFK, I knew all about travels in Asia.

Nevertheless, after returning home, I realized that I have no idea how to turn my dream into reality. Thousands of questions swarmed through my head. How much money will I need? When can I afford such a long trip? What will my parents say? Do I need a return ticket? Which card is better to take with you? Is it safe to live in a hostel? The list of questions seemed endless, and in 2004, without numerous airplane ticket searchers, travel blogs, phone applications and other modern travel planning aids, it was somewhat more labor-intensive than it is now.

The hardest thing was to tell my family, friends and acquaintances that I was going on a long-term journey. I do not remember in detail the conversation that I had with my parents, but they took my decision quite coldly. By that time, they had become accustomed to my impulsive ideas, which were not uncommon but rarely turned into reality, and were ready to parry all my arguments fully armed. Their main argument was the statement that the world is a dangerous place and they will be very worried for me.

Since I had time in advance, I had enough time to drip on their brains. Nevertheless, I think that they did not believe in the seriousness of my intentions till the last moment and tried all the time to dissuade me. But once I’ve decided, I’ll bring it to life. I’m so stubborn.

Unlike the story with the parents, I remember the conversation with my boss to the smallest detail. It happened just a couple of months after my return from Thailand. During this time, I became more and more strengthened in the idea of ​​abandoning everything and leaving to travel. I even got some confidence that I really could do it. I knew that I would leave.

On that memorable day, I went to the office of my boss, told him that I wanted to talk to him, sat in a chair opposite and announced my intention to leave work. After meeting and talking with travelers, I firmly decided to see the world before I seriously take up my career. This was my first job, and I worked there for only 8 months. He began to object to me, saying that it was difficult to find a suitable candidate for my post so quickly. To which I replied that I did not want to leave right now, and asked for another six months. I remember his incredulous tone, with which he asked me: “Are you sure?”. I said: “I’m sure” and at the same moment I felt that there was no turning back.

In a sense, that day, I left not only work but also the life that I could live. I betrayed the parent idea about my future, about a good career, family, home, car and all the other things that make up the concept of “successful life”. I almost physically felt my life slipping, and I was not ready for it. I then thought that maybe I made a mistake, perhaps, life is not so bad. But I knew that I was unhappy. In my 24 years, I worked 50 – 60 hours a week, saved up for a car and planned that the next 40 years of my life would be about the same. I never liked this way of life, but it’s the way all normal people live, right?

Writing conclusion part to observation essay

The word Conclusion itself suggests that the author’s aim here is to conclude and sum up everything that has been said in the previous parts of the observation essay. In the final part, ideas are generalized, while in the main part every particular one is described.

The volume of the conclusion in observation essay is about 15-20 percent of the total paper. It should be equal or a little bigger than the introductory part.

Read the example of conclusion of observation essay to get an idea of how it should be written.

Example of observation essay conclusion

My trip to Thailand has shown me that life is not only a corporate meat grinder from 9 to 20. If such a way of life fits most people, then I’m sincerely happy for them. On the day when I announced my boss my intention to leave, I saved myself from a way of life that I never truly loved. And so, when I finally could afford to go out on the big road in search of adventure in 25 years, I still was not ready for it. I twisted in my head the cowardly thought that upon returning home I will immediately return to “normal life”, but this did not happen. After a while, the gap between me and the business world became too great.

Sometimes the decisions that we make in life are transformed for us into a tsunami, which demolishes the whole old way. So, if you are tormented by the question of how to leave everything and start a new life, just make a decision and make at least some real step towards change. Such serious changes never happen quickly at the click of a finger, they mature for a long time in our minds, they require a lot of preparation time. Still, we live in a fairly inert reality. Having made the decision to leave work, I left not only the office, but also my old way of life. But in return I found my own path, one that pleased me and never regretted the decision I made.

Final actions when writing observation essay

The first thing you do when getting the task of writing observation essay, is choosing the topic. After that, you prepare the outline of the future paper and think of the content of each structural part: introduction, main part and conclusion.

When the writing is finished, the work of the author is not done yet. There comes the time for proofreading and editing. Experts recommend taking a several days break and only after that get back to work. Read attentively the observation essay and correct grammar and lexical mistakes. Check the paper for typos and useless meaningless information. Delete everything that does not change the overall picture of the observation essay.

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How to Start an Observation Essay for Nursing Students: A Complete Guide

Carla johnson.

• October 5, 2023
• How to Guides

Observation essays are a valuable tool for nursing students to develop their clinical skills and enhance their ability to communicate their findings effectively. These essays require students to observe and reflect on real-life patient interactions and experiences carefully. Through this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to start an observation essay. Whether you are new to this assignment or seeking to improve your skills, this comprehensive guide will assist you in crafting a compelling and insightful essay.

What You'll Learn

Understanding the Purpose of an Observation Essay

Before diving into the practical aspects, it’s essential to grasp the purpose of an observation essay in nursing education. These essays serve several key objectives:

• Developing Observation Skills: Observation essays train students to become keen observers of patient behavior, symptoms, and healthcare interactions.
• Critical Thinking and Reflection: They encourage critical thinking by requiring students to analyze and reflect on their observations, leading to a deeper understanding of patient care .
• Effective Communication: Writing an observation essay helps nursing students practice communicating their findings, a vital skill for healthcare professionals.
• Personal Growth: These essays foster personal and professional growth by promoting empathy, compassion, and a holistic approach to patient care.

Choosing Your Observation Setting

Selecting the right setting for your observation essay is crucial. Consider the following factors when making your choice:

• Clinical Placement: Often, observation essays are based on experiences during clinical placements. Choose a clinical setting that aligns with your learning objectives and interests.
• Informed Consent: Ensure that patients or individuals involved in your observation have given informed consent. Respect their privacy and confidentiality .
• Diversity of Cases: To gain a well-rounded perspective, aim to observe a variety of patient cases, from different age groups, conditions, and healthcare settings.

Observing with Purpose

Effective observation is the cornerstone of a successful observation essay. Here are some tips to guide your observations:

• Prepare Beforehand: Familiarize yourself with the patient’s medical history , condition, and treatment plan. This background knowledge will help you focus on relevant details during your observation.
• Use a Structured Approach: Create a checklist or template to ensure you cover key aspects during your observation. Include sections for patient behavior, healthcare team interactions, and environmental factors.
• Take Detailed Notes: During your observation, take clear and concise notes. Include specific actions, conversations, body language, and any other relevant information.
• Stay Objective: Strive to maintain objectivity during your observation. Avoid making assumptions or judgments based on your personal beliefs or biases.

Structuring Your Observation Essay

Now that you have gathered your observations, it’s time to structure your essay effectively. A well-structured essay makes it easier for readers to follow your narrative:

• Introduction: Begin with a captivating introduction that sets the stage for your observation. Briefly introduce the patient, the clinical setting, and the purpose of your essay.
• Patient Background: Provide essential information about the patient, including their age, gender, medical history, and reason for being in the healthcare setting.
• Observation Narrative: This is the heart of your essay. Organize your observations in a chronological or thematic order. Describe the patient’s behavior, interactions with healthcare providers , and any significant events or changes you noticed.
• Reflection: After presenting your observations, reflect on what you witnessed. Discuss the implications of the observed behaviors and interactions, and how they relate to the patient’s care or the healthcare system in general.
• Lessons Learned: Share any valuable insights, lessons, or new perspectives you gained from the observation. Reflect on how this experience has contributed to your growth as a nursing student.

Writing Style and Tone

Maintaining a suitable writing style and tone is essential in nursing observation essays:

• Clarity: Write in a clear and concise manner. Avoid jargon and ensure a wide audience easily understands your descriptions.
• Professionalism: Maintain a professional tone throughout your essay. Use appropriate language and terminology.
• Empathy: Show empathy and respect for the patient and healthcare providers in your narrative. Highlight the human aspects of healthcare.

 Proofreading and Editing

Before submitting your observation essay, take the time to proofread and edit it thoroughly. Check for the following:

• Grammar and Spelling: Correct any grammatical and spelling errors. Use a grammar-checking tool or seek assistance from a peer if needed.
• Clarity and Flow: Ensure your essay flows smoothly from one section to another. Verify that your ideas are presented logically.
• Citations and References: If you use any external sources, make sure to cite them correctly in your chosen citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

Writing an observation essay as a nursing student can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. It enhances your observation skills and contributes to your growth as a healthcare professional. You can create a well-structured, insightful, and impactful observation essay by following the steps and guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide.

If you find yourself struggling with writing your observation essay or any other academic assignment, remember that assistance is available. Our professional writing services are here to support you in your academic journey. Contact us today to receive expert guidance and ensure your essays are of the highest quality. Your success is our priority, and we are committed to helping you excel in your nursing education.

1. How do you introduce an observation?

• To introduce an observation, begin with a brief description of the setting, context, and the subject of your observation. Clearly state the purpose of your observation in a concise and engaging manner to capture the reader’s attention.

2. How do you write an observation essay sample?

• Start by selecting a specific observation experience. Then, follow a structured approach by providing background information on the subject, describing your observations in detail, reflecting on your findings, and concluding with key takeaways and insights.

3. What is an example of a statement of observation?

• An example of a statement of observation could be: “During my clinical rotation in the pediatric ward, I observed a 5-year-old patient exhibiting signs of distress, including rapid breathing and restlessness, while waiting for a medical examination.”

4. What is the structure of an observation essay?

• The structure of an observation essay typically consists of an introduction, patient background information, a narrative of your observations, a reflective section, and a conclusion. This structure allows for a clear and organized presentation of your observations and insights.

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Steps to Writing an Observation Paper

Nicholas pell.

Frequently required in college writing classes, observation papers are a great way for any writer to hone his skills. Not only does an observation paper require you to do just what it says--observe--it also allows you the opportunity to practice writing and editing about anything you have around you. Whether writing an observation paper for a class or for your own personal benefit, there are steps that, if followed, will make the task of writing an observation paper much easier.

Explore this article

• Observation
• Introduction

1 Observation

To write an observation paper you must first observe. Remember that observation is more than just vision. You should also be observing sounds, smells and sensations that are happening around your observation paper topic. Do more than just observe the pieces. Try to observe the way everything works together, the processes involved and the total gestalt experience.

Concentrate on what is going on, but also take careful notes. A good way to take notes for an observation paper is to write them without looking at the paper. This frees your eyes and senses to continue to observe what you are looking at. Remember that, although your notes have to be readable, you won't be handing them in. Don't worry about making them look perfect. Just make your notes as complete as possible.

3 Introduction

Begin your paper with an introduction of the subject. Talk about what you observed, where you observed it, when you observed it, why you chose the subject and any other information you can think to include. The introduction should set up the topic, giving the reader an overview of the subject of your observation and its context.

The body of your observation paper is the meat of your observations. Arrange your observation notes into a cohesive narrative. Begin at the beginning, but also make sure to tie related observations together. Your observation narrative should be linear and written in the present tense. Be as detailed as possible and remain objective. Make the reader feel like he was present in the moments that you experienced.

Conclude your paper with a summary of what you saw. But also draw some conclusions about what you think about your observation. Explain what your observations mean to you and what they might mean to the reader. Tie everything together in a succinct paragraph.

Edit your paper carefully. You should edit for content, grammar, clarity and spelling. Making sure that you have not repeated yourself is of particular importance when writing an observation paper. Read the paper over very carefully three or four times. Make sure that the paper makes sense and clearly expresses what you are trying to say.

• 1 Essay Town Academic Writing Blog: How to Write an Observation Essay

About the Author

Nicholas Pell began writing professionally in 1995. His features on arts, culture, personal finance and technology have appeared in publications such as "LA Weekly," Salon and Business Insider. Pell holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

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Methodology

• What Is an Observational Study? | Guide & Examples

What Is an Observational Study? | Guide & Examples

Published on March 31, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on June 22, 2023.

An observational study is used to answer a research question based purely on what the researcher observes. There is no interference or manipulation of the research subjects, and no control and treatment groups .

These studies are often qualitative in nature and can be used for both exploratory and explanatory research purposes. While quantitative observational studies exist, they are less common.

Observational studies are generally used in hard science, medical, and social science fields. This is often due to ethical or practical concerns that prevent the researcher from conducting a traditional experiment . However, the lack of control and treatment groups means that forming inferences is difficult, and there is a risk of confounding variables and observer bias impacting your analysis.

Table of contents

Types of observation, types of observational studies, observational study example, advantages and disadvantages of observational studies, observational study vs. experiment, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions.

There are many types of observation, and it can be challenging to tell the difference between them. Here are some of the most common types to help you choose the best one for your observational study.

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There are three main types of observational studies: cohort studies, case–control studies, and cross-sectional studies .

Cohort studies

Cohort studies are more longitudinal in nature, as they follow a group of participants over a period of time. Members of the cohort are selected because of a shared characteristic, such as smoking, and they are often observed over a period of years.

Case–control studies

Case–control studies bring together two groups, a case study group and a control group . The case study group has a particular attribute while the control group does not. The two groups are then compared, to see if the case group exhibits a particular characteristic more than the control group.

For example, if you compared smokers (the case study group) with non-smokers (the control group), you could observe whether the smokers had more instances of lung disease than the non-smokers.

Cross-sectional studies

Cross-sectional studies analyze a population of study at a specific point in time.

This often involves narrowing previously collected data to one point in time to test the prevalence of a theory—for example, analyzing how many people were diagnosed with lung disease in March of a given year. It can also be a one-time observation, such as spending one day in the lung disease wing of a hospital.

Observational studies are usually quite straightforward to design and conduct. Sometimes all you need is a notebook and pen! As you design your study, you can follow these steps.

Step 1: Identify your research topic and objectives

The first step is to determine what you’re interested in observing and why. Observational studies are a great fit if you are unable to do an experiment for practical or ethical reasons , or if your research topic hinges on natural behaviors.

Step 2: Choose your observation type and technique

In terms of technique, there are a few things to consider:

• Are you determining what you want to observe beforehand, or going in open-minded?
• Is there another research method that would make sense in tandem with an observational study?
• If yes, make sure you conduct a covert observation.
• If not, think about whether observing from afar or actively participating in your observation is a better fit.
• How can you preempt confounding variables that could impact your analysis?
• You could observe the children playing at the playground in a naturalistic observation.
• You could spend a month at a day care in your town conducting participant observation, immersing yourself in the day-to-day life of the children.
• You could conduct covert observation behind a wall or glass, where the children can’t see you.

Overall, it is crucial to stay organized. Devise a shorthand for your notes, or perhaps design templates that you can fill in. Since these observations occur in real time, you won’t get a second chance with the same data.

Step 3: Set up your observational study

Before conducting your observations, there are a few things to attend to:

• Plan ahead: If you’re interested in day cares, you’ll need to call a few in your area to plan a visit. They may not all allow observation, or consent from parents may be needed, so give yourself enough time to set everything up.
• Determine your note-taking method: Observational studies often rely on note-taking because other methods, like video or audio recording, run the risk of changing participant behavior.
• Get informed consent from your participants (or their parents) if you want to record:  Ultimately, even though it may make your analysis easier, the challenges posed by recording participants often make pen-and-paper a better choice.

Step 4: Conduct your observation

After you’ve chosen a type of observation, decided on your technique, and chosen a time and place, it’s time to conduct your observation.

Here, you can split them into case and control groups. The children with siblings have a characteristic you are interested in (siblings), while the children in the control group do not.

When conducting observational studies, be very careful of confounding or “lurking” variables. In the example above, you observed children as they were dropped off, gauging whether or not they were upset. However, there are a variety of other factors that could be at play here (e.g., illness).

Step 5: Analyze your data

After you finish your observation, immediately record your initial thoughts and impressions, as well as follow-up questions or any issues you perceived during the observation. If you audio- or video-recorded your observations, you can transcribe them.

Your analysis can take an inductive  or deductive approach :

• If you conducted your observations in a more open-ended way, an inductive approach allows your data to determine your themes.
• If you had specific hypotheses prior to conducting your observations, a deductive approach analyzes whether your data confirm those themes or ideas you had previously.

Next, you can conduct your thematic or content analysis . Due to the open-ended nature of observational studies, the best fit is likely thematic analysis .

Step 6: Discuss avenues for future research

Observational studies are generally exploratory in nature, and they often aren’t strong enough to yield standalone conclusions due to their very high susceptibility to observer bias and confounding variables. For this reason, observational studies can only show association, not causation .

If you are excited about the preliminary conclusions you’ve drawn and wish to proceed with your topic, you may need to change to a different research method , such as an experiment.

• Observational studies can provide information about difficult-to-analyze topics in a low-cost, efficient manner.
• They allow you to study subjects that cannot be randomized safely, efficiently, or ethically .
• They are often quite straightforward to conduct, since you just observe participant behavior as it happens or utilize preexisting data.
• They’re often invaluable in informing later, larger-scale clinical trials or experimental designs.

Disadvantages

• Observational studies struggle to stand on their own as a reliable research method. There is a high risk of observer bias and undetected confounding variables or omitted variables .
• They lack conclusive results, typically are not externally valid or generalizable, and can usually only form a basis for further research.
• They cannot make statements about the safety or efficacy of the intervention or treatment they study, only observe reactions to it. Therefore, they offer less satisfying results than other methods.

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The key difference between observational studies and experiments is that a properly conducted observational study will never attempt to influence responses, while experimental designs by definition have some sort of treatment condition applied to a portion of participants.

However, there may be times when it’s impossible, dangerous, or impractical to influence the behavior of your participants. This can be the case in medical studies, where it is unethical or cruel to withhold potentially life-saving intervention, or in longitudinal analyses where you don’t have the ability to follow your group over the course of their lifetime.

An observational study may be the right fit for your research if random assignment of participants to control and treatment groups is impossible or highly difficult. However, the issues observational studies raise in terms of validity , confounding variables, and conclusiveness can mean that an experiment is more reliable.

If you’re able to randomize your participants safely and your research question is definitely causal in nature, consider using an experiment.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Student’s  t -distribution
• Normal distribution
• Null and Alternative Hypotheses
• Chi square tests
• Confidence interval
• Quartiles & Quantiles
• Cluster sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Data cleansing
• Reproducibility vs Replicability
• Peer review
• Prospective cohort study

Research bias

• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Placebo effect
• Hawthorne effect
• Hindsight bias
• Affect heuristic
• Social desirability bias

An observational study is a great choice for you if your research question is based purely on observations. If there are ethical, logistical, or practical concerns that prevent you from conducting a traditional experiment , an observational study may be a good choice. In an observational study, there is no interference or manipulation of the research subjects, as well as no control or treatment groups .

The key difference between observational studies and experimental designs is that a well-done observational study does not influence the responses of participants, while experiments do have some sort of treatment condition applied to at least some participants by random assignment .

A quasi-experiment is a type of research design that attempts to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. The main difference with a true experiment is that the groups are not randomly assigned.

Exploratory research aims to explore the main aspects of an under-researched problem, while explanatory research aims to explain the causes and consequences of a well-defined problem.

Experimental design means planning a set of procedures to investigate a relationship between variables . To design a controlled experiment, you need:

• A testable hypothesis
• At least one independent variable that can be precisely manipulated
• At least one dependent variable that can be precisely measured

When designing the experiment, you decide:

• How you will manipulate the variable(s)
• How you will control for any potential confounding variables
• How many subjects or samples will be included in the study
• How subjects will be assigned to treatment levels

Experimental design is essential to the internal and external validity of your experiment.

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Observation Essay Writing Tips & Topics

Just as the above quote emphasizes, listening and observing are two key factors for gaining new information and add to your personal experience. This can be easily applied to writing observation essays, for example. Observation, inference and fact are the three concepts every student that wants to write a good observation essay has to memorize. The ability to write a good observation essay makes the difference between a writer and a true wizard of words. And in order to achieve such a state you need to make use of all the senses available to you:

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Outlining Example of an Observation Essay

Continue reading the below guidelines in order to have an example of an outline for any observation essay.

Personal Experience

There’s nothing better to help you describe a situation than going through such an experience yourself. The connection between your personal experience and the subject of your observation essay has to be at a high level in order to be able to share that certain experience with others. That’s why you first need to choose carefully the topic of the essay you’re going to cover.

For Example : when you decide to write an essay on how thrilling downhill biking is, mentioning a handful of statistics and details about how it gets your adrenaline pumping. If you never got on a bike and ride your way down a forest road, you won’t be able to share that experience with others. If you want to support your claim, you must always write from experience. Go to the stadium before writing a piece on a local football team or listen to the entire album before reviewing it.

Taking notes is a vital part of sharing experience, that’s why you will always need to have a good method of writing things down or record them. From the recorded info, you can start writing the first draft of the essay. Make sure to capture the whole process: from going through the security checks, finding your seat, how did the game make you feel, all the way to how it felt being surrounded by all those angry fans that their team just lost. Make sure to also include all your impressions here and also pick some criteria to rate: atmosphere, utilities at the stadium, security lever, etc.

Every time your personal intake of things suffers a modification, make notes about what the change was and when did it happen. Keeping a chronological order of events will help you to reconstruct the journey in the essay. In order to have a complete view on things, take some notes of a friend’s opinion that went with you or ask a supporter sitting next to you about his experience.

Create a Sketch

An outline or sketch is very important to keep your paper logical and structured This is very useful in case you ever get stuck or lost while reconstructing the essay. You may change your final draft, but you must stick to the prepared outline. If your teacher requires, make a separate page with a detailed outline. In case you encounter any kind of issues when writing the outline or any other part of your essay, never hesitate to access professional writing services .

Introduction

Here’s where you should give your audience the opportunity to catch a glimpse of what they’re about to read in the rest of the article. Start with a thesis statement that will serve as the essay’s fundament. Then create a catch sentence to get the attention of your readers. You can also give them some insight into the reason you chose that specific observation topic.

Three-Paragraph Body

The body of the observation essay has the same structure as any other assignment. The most used structure and what experts recommend is having a three-paragraph body with support arguments. The next step is arranging your notes according to the previously-prepared outline on which you will add the details Keep in mind:

“Details create the big picture." Sanford I. Weil

You need to keep this section as simple and straight-forward as possible.Instead, to a summary of your arguments, appeal again to your thesis sentence and then use a call-to-action to finish the paper in such a manner that it will leave a strong impression. A rhetorical action is perfect at the end of your paper. You might think you’re done but you still have one more page to write. This final page of your observation essay must be a complete bibliography where you write down all your sources and references.

Editing and Proofreading

Finishing the actual paper doesn’t mean you’re done with everything. Before submitting your paper, you need to do some proofreading. Naturally, this can’t be done by you as the subjectivism can affect the results. Instead, you should ask someone else to do that for you. Or you can just place an order with an online writing and proofreading service , that assists college students all-round the English-speaking world!

They will be able to assist you with very important aspects regarding your observation essay like:

• Grammar mistakes
• Punctuation and Spelling

15 Examples of Observation Essay Topics

In order to write a high-quality observation essay, students need to possess other two skills. Organization skills and a rich vocabulary are the skills needed. Remember, your goal is not to deliver a message but share your experience with the audience. with your audience. That’s why it is very important to carefully choose your topic. If you need some inspiration, check out some free, useful examples of observation essays.

You can use this list of 16 topics as a starting idea for your essay:

• Important aspects of tattoo and body piercing
• How is important tolerance?
• Can death result from video games?
• The importance of independence and freedom
• The Modern World and the meaning of money
• Leadership developed through sports
• Meeting my favourite Rockstar
• The thrills of downhill biking
• Books appropriate for any age
• New club in the city
• Buying the perfect wedding or birthday gift
• The definition of “loyalty”
• Healing through music, myth or fact?
• Achieving success through writing
• The personality traits of personal idols
• College is too expensive essay

Some Useful Tips for Observation Essay Writing

• Don’t forget the personal touch. Allowing the audience to add your experience to theirs and identifying with it is your main goal.
• Always have something to take notes on. The importance of putting the events on paper as fresh as possible is of extreme importance.
• Avoid using a lot of unnecessary words just to make your essay longer. If you manage to reduce the amount of transitional & introductory words in your essay, you will get a lot more clear topic and thesis statement.
• Always appeal to personal experience by using the situations you faced during your entire life. It helps the readers to identify themselves with you or, at least, to know you better.
• The descriptive narrative and the observation essay have a lot in common so feel free to use the human senses. Try to provoke a reaction that appeals to one of these five during your essay.
• Remain objective at all times.
• Don’t forget about the Bibliography at the end.
• You should know what does proofreading mean .

Keep in mind: you can always emphasize the importance of the selected topic by sharing personal lessons learned. If at any time, you need any help with the essay itself or with proofreading and editing it, you can always order online academic guidance from a trustworthy company.

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Observations are a type of primary research that involves spending time watching people or other creatures interact with each other and the world around them. Observations are used in nearly every scientific field and can be incredibly useful in gathering information.

Types of Participation

Before observing, consider how you as an observer may alter the event being observed.

• How fully will you participate in the event?
• Will you simply sit, watch, and take notes with no interaction?
• Will you interact with the participants?
• Will you become a participant yourself?

These different choices can radically change what you end up observing. The mere presence of an observer may alter the events--and if you interact with participants, you further risk changing what takes place. The other side to this is that by not participating in an event, you may not gain a complete understanding of that event.

How to Observe

When observing, it is especially important to separate observations from your feelings or reactions to observations. A good way to do this is to take your observations in a double-entry notebook. A double-entry notebook has two columns, one for what is directly observed and one is for what the observer interprets from the events. Here is an example:

Observation: The teacher walks around the circle and speaks to each student individually.

Interpretation: The teacher seems to want to make sure that each student understands the assignment.

If you are observing a group that is not found in public (such as a group of card players, a sports team, or a special-interest group), it may be wise to plan to spend multiple sittings with the group. This will allow the group some time to adjust to your presence (and hence, for you to get more accurate observations).

Recordings vs. Note-taking

How will you be observing? Will you be taking notes in a notebook? With a laptop? Will you be recording your observations in some way (with a cell phone, digital camera, video camera, digital recorder, etc.?)

How you choose to observe is another important consideration that can affect the quality and results of your observations. Remember that you cannot capture everything that takes place with a recording or even by taking detailed notes.

What to Observe

Observational skills require some practice! The key to being a good observer is to pay attention to the details of a situation, write as much as you can, and write it as detailed as possible.

Before you observe, you should consider how you will focus your observations--because you can't focus on everything!