write an essay on observation

How to Write an Observation Essay: Observation Paper Guide and Observation essay Example

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

What is an observational essay

Definition of an observational essay, types of observational essays, main components of an observational essay, how to start writing an observation essay, choosing an observation topic, gathering information through observation, creating a strong thesis statement, observation essay structure, writing the introduction paragraph, organizing the body paragraphs effectively, concluding an observation essay, tips for writing an effective observation paper, using descriptive language, incorporating the five senses, observation essay examples and topics, 20 observation essay topics for college, reviewing observation essay examples, creating an observation essay outline.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to write an observation paper . Whether you’re a student looking to enhance your writing skills or an individual interested in honing your observation skills , this guide will provide you with valuable insights and tips on how to create a compelling and descriptive observation paper .

Here's What You'll Learn

Observation essay example

Write an observation essaytoggle, key takeaways.

• Recording observations, interpreting notes, and organizing them are crucial processes in writing an observation paper .
• Be mindful of important details such as date, time, and locality when taking field notes.
• Use qualitative and descriptive language to convey your observations effectively.
• Structure your observation paper around a research question and employ a clear and plain writing style.
• An observation essay focuses on diligently observing and describing the subject, without requiring analysis or problem-solving.

Now that you have a glimpse of what this guide will cover, let’s dive deeper into the definition and goals of an observation essay in the next section.

Understanding the Definition and Goals of an Observation Essay

An observation essay is an academic paper that focuses on making detailed observations and providing a rich description of objects, events, natural phenomena, or individuals. Unlike other types of essays, an observation essay does not require analysis or problem-solving. Instead, it aims to immerse the reader in the observation by diligently describing the subject.

When writing an observation essay, it is essential to employ vivid language and present tense to create a sense of immediacy and realism. By using descriptive and sensory details, the writer can effectively engage the reader and transport them into the observation itself.

The structure of an observation essay typically follows a standard essay format, consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion . In the introduction, the writer provides background information about the observation and presents a clear thesis statement. The body paragraphs serve as a platform for presenting the observations in a logical and organized manner, supported by relevant details and examples. Finally, the conclusion restates the thesis and offers a reflection on the overall observation, leaving the reader with a lasting impression.

Tips for Writing an Effective Observation Essay

In order to write an effective observation essay, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. First and foremost, choose a subject that truly fascinates you. Writing about something you are genuinely interested in will make the entire process more enjoyable and will also help you to stay engaged throughout.

When it comes to actually observing the subject of your essay, use all of your senses to create a vivid and detailed picture. This will not only make your writing more immersive for the reader, but it will also help you to capture the essence of what you are observing. Whether it’s sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or textures, paying attention to these sensory details will elevate your observation essay to the next level.

Another important tip is to apply the present tense in your writing. By using the present tense, you can create a sense of immediacy and make the events you are describing feel more real. This will help to engage the reader and make them feel as though they are experiencing the observation firsthand.

Lastly, be attentive to details and draw on your personal experiences. Including specific and unique details in your essay will make it more interesting and immersive for the reader. Additionally, sharing your own personal experiences and reflections throughout the essay will add depth and authenticity to your writing.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your observation essay is engaging, descriptive, and effective in capturing the essence of your subject.

Table: Tips for Writing an Effective Observation Essay

In conclusion , mastering the art of writing an observation essay requires honing your writing skills and employing effective descriptive writing techniques. By following the tips provided in this guide, you can enhance your ability to capture the details of your observations and engage your readers.

Writing Skills: Writing an observation essay allows you to develop and showcase your writing skills . Through diligent practice, you can improve your ability to convey your observations in a clear and engaging manner, effectively communicating your experiences to your audience.

Descriptive Writing: Descriptive writing is essential in an observation essay. By utilizing vivid language and sensory details, you can transport your readers into the scene, immersing them in the events and making your essay more captivating.

Conclusion: In conclusion, an observation essay is a powerful tool for exploring and sharing your observations. By selecting a subject that interests you, applying present tense, and structuring your essay in a logical manner, you can effectively convey your observations and leave a lasting impression on your readers.

What is an observation essay?

An observation essay is an academic paper that involves making observations and providing a detailed description of objects, events, natural phenomena, or individuals.

What should be included in an observation essay?

An observation essay should include vivid descriptions, use of present tense, personal experience, and attention to detail.

How should an observation essay be structured?

An observation essay should follow a standard essay structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

What is the goal of an observation essay?

The goal of an observation essay is to diligently observe and describe the subject without analysis or problem-solving.

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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.

From Observations to Analysis: Crafting a Meaningful Essay

Updated: July 15, 2024

12 mins read

Table of Contents

1. understand what an observation essay is, 2. know how to format an observation essay, 3. select an observation essay topic, 4. observe and jog down key features of the topic, 5. create an outline, 6. write the observation essay, essential tips for writing an observation essay, observation essay example, in a nutshell.

• Understand what an observation essay is
• Know how to format an observation essay
• Select an observation essay topic
• Observe and jog down key features of the topic
• Create an outline
• Write a draft
• Proofread and edit the draft
• Attentive to detail.
• Patient enough to observe the important aspects.
• Good at taking notes.
• High-level logical reasoning to provide an excellent flow of the topic.
• An extensive vocabulary of mainly adjectives and figures of speech, which you’ll use to describe the topic.
• Background information
• Thesis statement

academic performance and reach your goals

See how quick and easy it is to get an exceptional essay with minimal effort on our platform.

• The benefits of communication
• What drives people to get more money
• Reasons why students miss class
• Effects of excessive use of social media
• Differences between millennials and generation Z
• Children’s behavior under several parenting styles
• Climate change causes and impacts
• Novel reading experience
• Describe a wild animal
• Courtroom reflection
• Fitness center observation

● Choose an Object or Event That Interests You

● declare your role, ● use all senses, ● you can use a first-person narrative, ● use present tense, ● take advantage of literary devices, ● contextualize.

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Writing Objective and Accurate Observation Notes

Written observations about infants and toddlers should be factual and objective to be useful and meaningful 1 . This means education staff should write only what they see and hear (e.g., the facts) and avoid using words that:

• Communicate judgment about a child's feelings, intentions, and motivations
• Are ambiguous and open to interpretation
• Describe an opinion

One way in which staff may think about their own objectivity is to ask themselves, "Am I describing this child's behaviors and interactions in the same or a similar way that someone else observing this child would describe them?" 2 Consider the following observation notes about 8-month-old Umar:

Note 1: 11/29, 8 a.m., arrival Umar has a hard time when his mom brings him into the room. He doesn't like being put down on the floor. Ignores her when she tries to read a book to him. Crawls over to Lettie, takes ball from her hands; gets upset when mom kisses him, says goodbye, and leaves the room. Note 2: 11/29, 8 a.m., arrival Umar's mom carries him into the room, sets him down on floor next to book bin. Umar makes whimpering sounds (no tears). Mom sits down next to him, picks a book from the bin, shows cover to Umar, begins to read. Umar turns his head away, sees Lettie (child) holding and shaking a ball with a bell inside, holds his arms out to her, crawls over and sits next to her, takes ball from her hands, shakes it. Mom goes to Umar, kisses him, says goodbye, walks out. Umar starts to cry (tears).

Both observation notes describe how Umar separates from his mother, but the first note contains the teacher's assumptions about and interpretations of Umar's behavior. Someone reading this note may have different ideas about what happened because words such as "hard time," "doesn't like," "ignores," and "gets upset" are open to interpretation. The second note describes rather than interprets Umar's behaviors. It provides a much clearer picture about what Umar actually does and says during the arrival routine. 

Objective, factual written observations include the following:

• Descriptions of actions
• Descriptions of children's vocalizations
• Direct quotes of children's language
• Descriptions of facial expressions and gestures
• Descriptions of creations (e.g., stacked blocks, scribble drawings, finger-painted pictures)

The following words are often found in written observation notes. 3 However, these and other similar words can be interpreted in many ways and express judgment. They should be avoided.

• Lyle completes the two-piece shape puzzle correctly. He is such a smart baby!
• Jorge gets angry and splashes water from the water table on the floor.
• Sonia hits Andre when he picks up the doll she dropped because she wants her doll back.
• Inette was distracted when I tried to feed her. She kept turning her head away.
• Oliver does a good job putting the toys away.
• It took a long time for Hannah to settle down and stop crying after her grandfather left the room.

Interpreting the meaning of children's behaviors and interactions is important. Impressions, feelings, and insights about children are extremely valuable to the individualizing process. However, staff first need accurate, factual information to draw conclusions later on about children's skills, behavior, interests, and needs.

1 National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative, Infant/Toddler Development, Screening, and Assessment (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010), 22.

2 Laura J. Colker, A Trainer’s Guide to Observing Young Children: Learning to Look, Looking to Learn (Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies, 1995), 7.

3 Ibid, 7; Derry G. Koralek, Amy Laura Dombro, and Diane Trister Dodge, Caring for Infants & Toddlers, 2nd ed. (Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies, 2005), 372.

Resource Type: Article

National Centers: Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning

Last Updated: August 10, 2023

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Writing A Great Observation Essay: Tips And Topics

Now, knowledge is the acquisition of skills and information either through learning or experience. For you to be able to achieve this, you need to listen and observe, of course, in the right manner.

That brings us to our subject of discussion.

What is Observation Essay Writing?

It is a way of directly digging into issues in the form of writing by observing and microscopically evaluating the state of the person, concept, or event. I hope that did not sound like a detective class.

We see, therefore, that an observation paper is not the everyday homework essay that you take 30 minutes to finish. No! It is one that sifts between the writing alpha geeks and those who write for the sake of it.

For you to achieve this, you need to make good use of all your five senses. I m reminded that there is also a sixth sense, but for now, let’s tell ourselves of the five. They are the sense of sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. All these five blended meticulously will enable you to jot down an award-winning observation report.

Here is the jackpot now.

20 Catchy Observation Essay Topics

As we discussed hitherto, the topic plays a critical role in your observation essay. The vocabulary and structure of the problem areas are as essential as the content.

So let’s get down to them right away:

• The best books to read in 2023.
• How do you choose friends in college?
• Here are the benefits of an everyday morning jog.
• Has social media brought people together or separated them?
• What defines true beauty?
• The latest shopping mall downtown.
• Here is a way of earning an extra coin.
• What are the effects of partying on academic progress?
• What is the essence of holidays to students?
• Does freelancing pay?
• What has the world done to the ozone layer?
• Does environmental conservation still matter?
• I am conserving rare species of flora and fauna.
• I am planning for the best birthday party.
• What is true love?
• Animation movies best for kids.
• What factors undermine peace in society?
• I am defining the two personalities, introverts, and extroverts.
• Is working smart the same as working hard? Differences explained.
• How has religion contributed to morals in society?

Stay with me as we unveil the next important part of this topic.

Essential Guidelines for Writing an Observation Essay

It is always prudent to have a yardstick when writing to ensure that you don’t stretch out to your neighbor’s field. Well, you don’t want to have a case at the attorney’s office for not following the rules, do you?

Here is what you should do:

1. Carefully Select a Topic

You do not just play some pinky ponky game and land on a topic. Not at all. Use your personal experiences to land on a subject that you can precisely and authoritatively narrate to the world.

It gives you the confidence to pen down your experiences without any iota of doubt since you have the first witness account of the incident.

And not forgetting.

2. Having an Outline

Let’s pose for a while and deal with some basic biology. The flesh on the human body rests on a structure referred to as the skeleton. It is to mean that we ought to have a structure for the meat of our essay to also have a definite shape as we do.

We should, therefore, dive into this structure and see the nitty-gritty of this observation paper.

Observation Essay Outline

Observational writing follows a strict outline with critical nuts and bolts that are inevitable. In this part, we are going to see how to structure your observation paper.

Introduction

It is the part where you give appetite to your readers for them to start salivating for the course meal. The observation essay thesis falls here to act as a basis of what you are going to discuss in the rest of the paper.

The introduction should be catchy enough to keep the reader’s eyes glued to your article to the end.

It follows the structure of any other typical essay. However, you should have a body with three paragraphs having the supporting evidence. Arrange your details in a manner that will culminate in the intended picture you desired to create at first.

Ensure that you conclude in the simplest terms possible without adding any new information to that which s stated already. You can emphasize a point by restating the thesis statement and finally concluding with a call to action. It may be in the form of a famous quote related to your essay or a rhetorical question.

The Bibliography

Most people forget this section despite its significance in this type of essay. The bibliography is where you give all the references and sources where you cited your work.

Let the reader picture himself or herself in the state through your words. Ensure that you also remain objective to prevent biases.

Why don’t you pick one topic and write a thrilling essay on the same? Trust me; you will want to write on all the 20 issues.

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How to Write an Observation Essay

If you’re writing an observation essay, you need a guide. You will receive the best advice on how to write an observation essay here. If you don’t have strong writing abilities, it will be challenging to write this type of essay.

Mastering this essay requires practice and subject knowledge. Even for a classroom observation essay, you must do your own research. This blog post explains what an observation essay is, how to find a good example, and how to write one. How to Write an Observation Essay:

Observation essay definition

An observation essay is a paper based on the observations and findings of an individual, a group of people, or a specific event. The goal is to describe your observations on a particular theme in great detail. Keep in mind that this is not a research paper.

A step-by-step guide to writing an observation essay

Of course, if your professor has not assigned you a specific topic, you are free to write about whatever you want. But how do you write a proper observation essay?

Learning how to write an observation essay can mean the difference between spending four days on a paper and finishing it in two. Here are the steps on how to write an observation essay:

• Select the topic

Pick one of the five senses—sights, sounds, tastes, feelings, or smells—to describe in your essay. You could also decide to watch how people behave or ask yourself a question, then base your observations on the response.

• In five sentences, describe this aspect of observation

Since examiners frequently read out the first sentence to introduce the essay, it should be solid and attention-grabbing. Write four more sentences describing the same aspect of your observation, but don’t reuse any words. This cannot be easy, so take your time selecting the appropriate words.

• Make a concluding statement

Your final sentence should offer a summary or assessment of the observation in question. This phrase is not always used; depending on your goal and subject, you can choose your conclusion at this point.

• Logical verification

Using transitions, ensure that all five sentences are related and form a logical structure. Use them wisely, but not excessively.

• Develop the essay

Ensure your essay’s logical flow by using headings and expanding sentences into paragraphs.

• Include any additional information

Include any other information in the conclusion.

• Edit and proofread your essay

Reviewing and revising your observation essay to ensure that it is of the highest caliber is the final step.

How to begin an observation essay correctly

How you begin your essay impacts how eager readers are to read the first page. This is why learning how to start an observation essay is crucial.

The kind and quantity of information provided at the beginning of your academic paper will be what most inspires your readers. There are several solid openings for academic papers.

What works best for you will determine, in large part, how you start your observation essay. Here are six suggestions for how to properly start your observation essay. They are as below:

• Begin with a few concise sentences

Doing this prevents you from wasting time and getting right to the point. You don’t have to start with “This essay is about…” but you should be clear about your topic and write a concise thesis. What counts is how informative your content is, not how long.

• Pose a question

Yes, you read that correctly. You can begin your essay with a question. However, ensure that this question is directly related to the topic of your paper. You have two options: directly respond to the query or leave it up to your audience to devise their creative solutions.

• Describe a fascinating fact

This is yet another original approach to any essay about a naturalistic observation. You might be aware of one or more facts about nature, which can include people, animals, plants, and our immediate surroundings.

 Few people may be aware of this fact. Since most of your readers may not know this, using it as your essay’s opening will pique their interest.

• Begin with a description

Your story has a setting because it is an observation essay. You can pique your target readers’ interest by describing the primary setting of your academic paper.

Describe some discoveries so that your readers can almost see and feel them. This way, you can be confident that they will follow your train of thought.

• Connect the present to the past

This could be a way to enjoy a memory or past experience. You can relate the event to your target readers as if it were happening right then and there to make it more captivating.

This technique keeps your target audience’s readers enthralled because they are eager to learn what ultimately transpired.

• Use the delay strategy

With this strategy, you do not distribute everything at the start of your paper. Assume you’re writing an essay about child observation. For the time being, you can put off identifying the subject of your paper.

When using this strategy, don’t delay too long, or your readers may become frustrated and stop reading. This is not something you want to happen.

Outline for an observation essay

After pre-writing exercises and topic selection, your observation essay is built on an outline. The Introduction, Body, and Conclusion are the three sections that comprise each outline.

However, the more specific the outline, the higher the likelihood of a successful and excellent essay. The following is the most fundamental observation essay outline:

• The introduction

It would be best if you began your essay with an introduction in which you explain why you are writing this paper. You must draw the reader’s attention to the topic and show the object you’ve observed in this writing section. You should include background on your subject in the introduction.

How do you write an observation essay? You must choose the type of observation essay you will write before deciding what to say in this section. Choose your kind after giving it some thought.

• Body paragraphs

In the essay’s main body, the author presents his research findings and discusses the topic from different perspectives. You give the reader various views on your observation while also expressing your viewpoint.

You can format the body paragraphs of your observation essay however you like. But keep in mind that your reader should be able to understand your paper, so your ideas must be coherent and well-organized. Create a compelling thesis statement, and don’t forget to include supporting details.

The conclusion is a section of the article where the author can condense all of his thoughts on the subject. Although it must include the thesis ideas reflected in the main body, this section shouldn’t be too long.

However, being brief does not imply being insufficient. Your intended audience expects you to make your points thoroughly and concisely. Consider whether your conclusion is sufficient by paying attention.

Topics for observation essays

You’re learning how to write an observation essay but don’t know what topic to use. The possibilities for observation essay topics are virtually limitless. If you’re still having trouble deciding, look through this list of good observation essay topics to find the best writing idea:

• Thoughts on getting a tattoo and getting pierced
• In today’s society, what does money mean?
• Is flying in airplanes dangerous?
• Fantastic healing therapy is a music
• Independence and freedom are two different things
• What definition must the word “honesty” have in dictionaries?
• The toughest challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame them
• A wonderful present for someone
• Is tolerance a virtue worth emphasizing?
• What publication merits reading at any age?
• What impact has superstition had on your life?
• The best therapy in many situations is music
• Our actions are a reflection of our personalities

Observation essay tips

You should pay closer attention to details when writing an observation essay. Let’s go over some observation essay tips on how to write an observation essay:

• Create an outline for an observation essay

Suppose you are unsure of where to begin. Include information such as the number of paragraphs, the headings, a thesis statement, and the key points and topics to be covered. It’s a good idea to segment your task whenever possible.

• Make a list of three to five good ideas

On a separate sheet of paper, write down three to five good ideas you will try to defend in your work. Every page must include the chosen subject’s sound, smell, touch, image, and taste. Remember that you are not writing a descriptive essay.

• Describe the observation essay’s setting, purpose, and tone

In your introduction, describe the observation essay’s scene, theme, and mood. The setting will effectively hook your reader in the first few lines.

• Fill body paragraphs with evidence and observations

Fill the body paragraphs with observations and evidence to support your main point. Feel free to use figurative language to immerse the reader in your point of view on the subject. You must be careful not to write a descriptive essay.

• Your essay’s conclusion should be memorable

Write a conclusion to your observational essay that will leave a lasting impression on the reader. Consider the paper’s thesis statement, list the main points and justifications for going into more detail, and offer some predictions.

• Make use of personal experience

Use personal experience to meet the criteria of the paper. Working with data and facts provided by others does not constitute a legitimate observation essay.

• If you use quotes, devote the last page to references

The previous page should be dedicated to references if you use quotations. To prevent plagiarism and potential intellectual property issues, list all the cited works with the permissions reserved.

• Provide examples

Make every effort to replicate the actual situation for your readers. Include detailed descriptions of the conditions you observed in the text. You can also include excerpts from people’s conversations to make your paper more visually appealing and colorful.

Using a specific incident as an example makes your thoughts more interesting. Do you still have questions about how to write an observation essay?

• Use present tense only

This advice will assist everyone in visualizing what you are talking about in real life . In the past tense, you can only tell a story; in the present, you can take your readers on an adventure.

In conclusion

One of the easiest types of essays you will be required to write throughout your academic career is an observation essay. Unlike other essays, observation essays only require careful observation and recording of events. You can use this guide to help you how to write an observation essay.

You can easily write an observation essay now that you have a clear plan to stick to. If you require assistance or have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can get help from the experts at onlinenursingpapers.com .

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How to Write an Observation Essay

Observation essay definition

• 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

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Best Observation Essay Topics in 2023

What Is an Observation Essay?

Observation Essay is direct research. This means that a person is engaged in the observation of some event, person or phenomenon, analyzes, and takes notes immediately. So, this is an essay about your observation of a research subject. This type of essay will allow the reader to perceive the subject of research as if he did it by himself. That is why it is very important to take notes and describe everything that you see in detail.

Observation papers can be a problem for students because often they do not know how to write them. They are not familiar with this essay format, and they do not know how to choose observation essay topics.

In fact, it is not as difficult as it seems, especially if you have an interest in your topic. But if you have problems with observational writing, this should not be an obstacle for you to get a good grade. You can always ask to do my homework for me services on the website. Professional writers of this service will write a quality paper for you very quickly. Homeworkfor.me will write any kind of paper for you, whether it is an essay on marketing project ideas or a historical assignment or whatever you want.

How to Write an Observation Paper

To understand how to write an observation paper, you need an outline your actions and follow them step by step. 

Essay Topic

Perhaps this stage is the most difficult. You need to come up with an idea for your paper and do not use old and hackneyed topics. This step can be difficult because you need to choose a topic that you understand well or that is of great interest to you.

If it is extremely difficult for you to choose a topic, you can consult with your teacher and find out what observational study ideas he or she considers interesting. Perhaps this will lead you to your own idea. Find out what topics students are most interested in, and you will know in which direction you need to think.

Your topic should allow you to engage your senses. The reader must have an opportunity to “see” your experience as his own. You must describe what you see, and also smells, tastes, sounds.

What Should Introduction Be?

So, you have chosen a topic. What’s next? If you start right away with a description of your observation, the work will not attract the readers. First, the readers should briefly learn about the topic of your research. This means that you need to write an introduction.

You can give a short description of your essay, explain the main idea of your observation. You also need to understand that an introduction is a part that should catch the attention. At this stage, the readers will decide whether your work is worth reading.

Try to arouse their interest in your topic. You can write a sentence in the format of a question for the readers or your personal statement. To do this, you need to intrigue the reader by adding a couple of interesting facts in the introductory part.

How Should It Look Like?

You wrote an introduction and are pleased that it turned out to be interesting. But what should be next? Now it is time to begin your observation.

Since you cannot observe the subject of your research and write an essay at the same time, you need to make notes. You should record what is happening, specifying the time, place, and date. Write notes by analyzing everything that you see and feel.

You must understand that the observation essay is different from other types of work. So here you should not only write down the general feelings but use a lot of adjectives. For example, when describing a smell, you should not write that something smells. You must describe this smell.

After you finish the research, you can start writing an essay. Use your notes. You must structure your article and edit it. Describe everything that happens in chronological order. Reread several times what you wrote until you are satisfied with the result. 

In conclusion, it is better to briefly describe your observations and tell about your personal impression of the research process. You can tell why it is important to pay attention to such topics.

And in the end, you can answer the questions that you left unanswered in the introduction. You can describe your personal attitude to the topic and give an answer that is acceptable to you. But at the same time, you can leave someplace for the readers’ imagination, and allow them to come up with their own conclusions. 

Observation Essay Examples Online: 20 Topics

See? As mentioned at the beginning of this article, choosing a topic is the worst thing that awaits you in the process of writing your observation essay. To make your task easier, our experts have compiled a list of observation essay topics.

Here are examples of interesting topics that you can use for your observation:

• How does caffeine affect your reaction?
• How does religion help to deal with problems?
• What are the “cures” for stress?
• Why are sweets bad for children’s behavior?
• Why do video games cause addiction?
• My role model.
• What can cartoons teach children?
• How do people react to breastfeeding women in public places?
• Where does uncertainty come from?
• Why do people get tattoos?
• How does success change a person?
• How do musical preferences shape?
• My first vacation with friends.
• The most embarrassing situation that happened to me.
• Why is the number of likes on social networks important to people?
• A film that I am willing to watch 100 times.
• Why are traditions important?
• Why is the Christmas atmosphere so magical?
• What role do superstitions play in our lives?
• Why do we take photos?

This is just a short list of research topics that our experts can write for you. In case, for some reason you cannot cope with your assignment alone, you may visit our essay writing service Homeworkfor.me. Why is it worth trying? Well, let’s see what benefits await you. 

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Observation essay

Written assignments are an integral part of any educational process. Nowadays, there are so many new types of essays , that time after time, it is hard to complete an essay, even if you are skilful in writing. Observational essay is one of such types of essays. On the one hand, it is not difficult to write it, but on the other hand it rather challenging to write such essay properly.

The main tips to write perfect class observation essay :

First of all, you should make an outline for the paper. It is not obligatory, as in most cases observation essays are being written without any plan at all. If your thoughts are flowing and they are easily being expressed on the paper, then you do not need any outline. However, if you do not know what to write about, writing an outline is a nice way to organize your essay properly, and not to omit important details and ideas.

It is important to keep the reader interested in the things you are discussing. Try not to describe each and every detail, because the reader may be bored and he will lose the interest very fast. Try to make images that you are discussing, as vivid as you saw them. It will create proper understanding between you and your reader.

You can make your observation essay even more interesting, by means of adding some jokes or funny observations and descriptions into your essay.

You can write an essay either from subjective or from objective points of view. Nevertheless, do not forget that the reader may lose the interest, so be careful when making too long descriptions, especially descriptions of things.

End up your observation essay with a conclusion. Express your feelings and thoughts the most vividly, in order for the reader to remember your essay and to leave a nice impression.

As you see now, observational essay may be not that difficult to write, but do not forget to pay attention to the certain peculiarities described above. Good luck with your essay !

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How to Write an Observation Essay

June 28, 2022 Blog felix felix

In your observation essay, you can write about anything you see in everyday life. The observation’s subject does not have to be extraordinary. Your task is to take a closer look and write about everything you think or feel while looking at it; this is why the written observation assignment may appear complicated when completed for the first time. However, with a bit of practice and our essay writing service, anyone can learn how to write an observation essay in no time!

This academic essay merely describes the author’s personal experiences or perceptions. It’s a very personal statement from the author, and it’s one way for writers to figure out how they feel about things.

In an observation essay, the writer will describe things they have carefully observed so that others can learn from them. An observer will use details to make their point, describing what they have seen with adjectives and metaphors. In the course of observing something, the writer employs similes and metaphors at times. An observation essay does not just use descriptions to describe the setting or any objects in it; it also describes people.

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One significant difference between an observation essay and other types of essays, such as an argumentative essay or an informative essay, is that it focuses on the writer’s internal perspective by recording observations and feelings rather than information that could be obtained through research.

Another essential feature is that observation essays can be written in the first (I), second (You), or third (They) person. These three types are also referred to as ‘personal,’ ‘descriptive,’ and ‘narrative.’

Observation essay tips

These are the essential steps in writing an observation essay.

1.     Choose the subject

Choose an observational aspect to write about, such as sights, sounds, tastes, feelings, or smells. You could also observe people or ask yourself a question and base your observations on the answer.

• In five sentences, describe this aspect of your observation.

Because examiners frequently read out the first sentence to introduce the essay (for example, ‘I always see old ladies wearing shabby coats when I am passing through the street,’ your first sentence should be robust and attention-grabbing. Then write four more sentences that describe the same aspect of your observation in different ways, but don’t use any of the words you’ve already used. This can be not easy, so take your time to select the appropriate words.

• Write the following final sentence

Your final sentence can be a summary or evaluation of that aspect of observation (for example, ‘I think we should help those old ladies make clothes in the winter if we have any extra money). This sentence is not always present; at this stage, you can choose your ending based on your purpose and topic.

• Logical verification

  By using transitions such as because, for example, therefore, etc., ensure that all five sentences are related and form a logical structure. Use them wisely, but not excessively.

• Extend your essay

Add headings as needed and expand sentences to entire paragraphs to ensure that your essay has a logical flow of ideas and organization.

• Include any additional information

In conclusion, include additional information (for example, ‘I am pleased to see old people wearing colorful clothes rather than shabby ones’).

• Edit and proofread your essay

The final step is to go over the observation essay you just wrote and revise it to ensure the quality is excellent.

Following those simple steps, you have now written a custom observation essay. If you need assistance writing an observation essay, post a question here.

Observation Essay Outline

Observation essays have different structures depending on their purpose, topic, length, and writer. Still, they usually have five paragraphs: one for an introduction, three for details about that aspect of observation, and one for a conclusion.

An observation essay has three parts: an introduction, the main body of the essay, and a conclusion.

Introduction

The introduction contains one paragraph that introduces the topic of the essay.

Body paragraphs

Following this introductory paragraph, there are three paragraphs describing various aspects of observation.

The conclusion can be included as a separate paragraph at the end of the essay. This can vary depending on your essay’s attempt to convey.

Sample of Observation Essays

A Place Observation Essay Example

This is an example of an observation essay about a place.

I spend most of my time in three rooms in my house: the kitchen, the living room, and the bedroom, which are all adjacent to one another. The kitchen is located in the house’s northwest corner. It has a large window with a stunning view. Because it is cozy and warm due to the sunlight, I always spend my free time there for breakfast or dinner.

The living room is in the center of the ground floor, near the kitchen and bedroom. I love this room because I can see the street from it; thank you for the large window! This location is also suitable for watching TV with family; all we need to do is watch it from the sofa while sitting together in front of the television.

Paying attention is the first step in writing a good description.

Consider your senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. Each sense contributes something unique to your observations. The more data you collect, the better your observer will be! Remember that new information can be added later but cannot be removed. Beginning with a pencil allows the writer to erase what they’ve written, if necessary, easily. Use simple sentences and keep your direct remarks positive—everyone appreciates compliments!

One way we make observations is through people. They function as observation and reflection mirrors. People are complicated to understand, but we do know that we all have ways of expressing ourselves through our actions. So, consider one way to describe people: they reveal themselves in what they do or do not do.

If you want to write an observation essay about someone or something, you should learn as much as possible about the person (or place) beforehand. Another thing to think about is taking notes on minor details. You’ll need these notations later to incorporate them into your essay. If you’re writing an observation essay about someone, try to learn more about them than just who they are. Could you find out how they got to where they are? Also, try to learn about them and why they are the way they are.

You can also write about various exciting or funny things you’ve witnessed people do. You can express your thoughts on these topics and generate new ones.

Another thing to remember when writing an observation essay is to be careful what you say. People frequently forget how their words can affect others. You might say something hurtful or stupid that won’t mean much in the long run.

When writing a good essay about your observations on people, you must exercise extreme caution in selecting your words and evidence that could potentially harm someone else’s reputation.

·         When writing an observation essay about someone, try to include all the facts while keeping it interesting.

·         The last thing you want is for your reader to abandon your paper because they are bored.

·         Be specific in your statements.

·         If possible, provide context for why or how something occurred (the situation).

·         Make confident that what you say is also true!

How to Start an Observation Paper

Observation papers are challenging to write because there is no topic of interest. An observation paper’s primary purpose is to collect, analyze, and synthesize information about a research topic or study. With these various types of information in mind, here’s where to begin:

• Please choose a topic and use it as the basis for your research. You could, for example, choose to observe how well your professor conducts class meetings. Choose the professor and the meeting to be observed. This is a simple option because it is already in use in class.
• Look for previous research papers on the subject. An observational study will supplement this coverage of a previously researched issue or event by applying the findings of previous studies to your observation. Look for articles or research papers that compare the effectiveness of one type of meeting to another.
• Determine what information you’re looking for as you observe and organize it as it emerges during your observations. Use these as notes or quotes, and then return to these pieces of information to help you write your observation paper.

Finally, synthesize the research and make a recommendation for what works best. For example, you could advise history professors to use whiteboards rather than PowerPoint slides because it is easier to follow along with class content.

There you have it. This is how you begin a college or graduate school observation paper.

What is an observation essay?

An observation essay (also known as an observation paper) is a type of essay writing in which the writer must observe and record details about a specific person, thing, event, or location. A written observation paper aims to present the observations in such a way that readers understand what is being described. Readers can gain insight into what is described through detailed explanations and vivid word choices.

What are some example topics?

Some ideas for observation essays include: how to make a cup of tea, what happens at a birthday party, and how to make friends.

For an observation essay on tea preparation, one could watch other people prepare tea and describe the process in detail. One could watch several tea preparations videos on YouTube to observe the process. One could also research different types of tea, flavors, and other flavoring ingredients.

For an infant observation essay on birthday parties, watch a few YouTube videos about various types of birthday parties and then write a detailed explanation of what happens at each party.

For an observation essay on making friends, one could look up advice on making new friends on the internet. Another option is interviewing peers and asking them what they do when trying to make new friends.

What are some effective strategies for writing an observation report?

Some effective strategies for writing an observation essay or report on observation are as follows:

• Make a list of specific details that you noticed.
• Describe what you saw using vivid language.

§  When necessary, cite the specific source. For instance, if your observation essay is about a website you used to gather information for your writing, include a reference in parentheses after each sentence in the paragraph that discusses that resource.

What are some of the most common pitfalls to avoid when completing a written observation assignment?

The following are some common pitfalls that students may encounter when writing an observation essay:

• I was describing things without providing any additional details or explanations.
• They were using ambiguous words like “thing” and omitting crucial information readers require to visualize what is being described.
• They cited sources without explaining how they were used in the paper. The purpose of an observation essay is to describe what was observed rather than cite sources.

These are some suggestions for writing a college observation paper. If you require additional assistance, refer to the written observation examples above.

Observation essay topics

Here are some examples of observation essays you might be asked to write or observation writing topics you might need help with. Fill out the order form to request online writing assistance.

• gym observation essay
• naturalistic observation essay
• nonverbal observation essay
• participant observation essay
• personal observation essay
• stranger observation essay
• child development observation essay
• social observation essay
• yoga class observation essay
• an observation and an explanation essay
• class observation essay
• classroom observation report essay pdf format
• courtroom observation essay

Always apply theories when analyzing and interpreting data. These are the theories that you mentioned in the introduction to your content. You will be able to provide a broader context for the process at hand in this manner. So, what will you be looking at? Remember the notes you took while the changes were happening. Take them out and begin studying the notable ones. To keep it formal, informative, and detailed, give your interpretations and keep connecting the dots to the theories.

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The Critical Blog

The home of critical thinking, observations and reflections on my first year placement.

This essay was written by Adrian Bloxham and was the winning social work entry in this year’s Critical Writing Prize 2019. Adrian is studying for an MA at Anglia Ruskin University and he was nominated by his lecturer Dr Wendy Coxshall.

I am currently on placement in a Supported Housing Hostel for adults in Cambridgeshire. This assignment is based on my work with one particular resident who I will refer to using the pseudonym ‘Alice’. The case study will explore core social work tenets including relevant knowledge and skills, critical reflection, processes of oppression and discrimination, communication and partnership working. I will seek to examine and reflect on my interactions with Alice, primarily by applying a reflective model to a ‘critical incident’. I will also attempt to view Alice’s life, and my professional relationship with her, from a broader social work perspective. My initial observations and impressions of the hostel were largely defined by the levels of socio-economic deprivation that dominate many of the residents’ lives. In virtually all cases the people that live at the project either have an underlying mental health condition or experience drug or alcohol misuse, often there are a combination of these factors. The very nature of this type of accommodation means that the population is transient.  This often means that residents have little consistency and no control over who they live with, resulting in an enforced togetherness that can lead to feelings of insecurity, anxiety and fear (Bengtsson-Tops, et al., 2014). I observed during my early conversations with Alice that she often seemed subdued and that her mood fluctuated unpredictably. As the initial phase of my placement progressed I became increasingly aware of Alice’s persistent and chronic low self-esteem and her tendency to depressive episodes. I noted this in my journal and tried to “…think, to be self-aware and to question…” as a first step towards reflecting on practice (Rutter & Brown, 2012, p. 30). My vague sense of unease and concern about Alice and her general well-being crystalized early one morning as I arrived at work to find Alice upset and in tears in the communal lounge. I now recognise the ensuing conversation as a ‘critical incident’ that changed my learning and the way that I thought about the staff and my placement setting. What qualifies as a critical incident is not rigidly defined but the event should be important or significant in some way to the practitioner and should offer the opportunity for professional learning (Fook & Gardner, 2007, p. 77). During the course of this exchange Alice disclosed to me that she felt trapped, bullied by a member of staff and other residents, and that she was feeling utterly powerless with no hope of moving on from the hostel. Alice showed me a scar on her right wrist and stated that she had tried to commit suicide in the past and was now experiencing suicidal ideation once again. This type of situation, with all its complexities and difficulties, is described in the seminal work of Schön (1983) as the ‘swampy lowlands’ of practice (Schon, 1983). In more recent times ‘reflective practice’ has been developed further into a concept of ‘critical reflection’ (Payne, 2014). The application of critical reflection challenges accepted modes of thought, social organisation, dominant discourses and assumptions (Graham, 2017; Savaya & Gardner, 2012; Thompson, 2010). The two-stage reflective model developed by Fook & Gardner (2007) seeks to examine power relations and structures of domination, which in turn intrinsically challenges oppressive and discriminatory thought processes and practice (Graham, 2017, p.49; Fook, 2012, p.47). As will become apparent, forms of oppression and discrimination are a vital aspect of Alice’s narrative, and for this reason I propose to apply Fook & Gardner’s (2007) model to my critical incident and the subject of my case study. Alice’s disclosure was deeply concerning and very challenging for a number of reasons. My inexperience, the fact that Alice has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and the gravity of what she was saying all contributed to a feeling of unease. The first ‘stage’ of the reflective model is designed to question the underlying structural and social assumptions of the practitioner and analyse how and why feelings of discomfort and concern have been generated (Fook & Gardner, 2007, p.92). Adopting this process has helped me to identify possible assumptions that I suspect I may have held. For example, could my knowledge of Alice’s dysfunctional relationships in the past have resulted in me making assumptions about inherent personality ‘traits’? Did I view her mood swings and depression as simply emanating from her diagnosis of schizophrenia? Did my upbringing, that instilled and encouraged a deference to authority and ‘professional’ figures, blunt my critical faculties in relation to the ‘care’ and ‘support’ offered by individual staff members? It would also be remiss to discount the influence of gender and class on the assumptions I may have held. A closer critical analysis of the factors and experiences that have shaped Alice’s life expose the fundamental flaws and prejudices in my misplaced assumptions. As I began to work with Alice it became increasingly clear to me that she had experienced discrimination and oppression throughout her life. I learnt that Alice had endured severe and multiple adverse childhood experiences. Both of her parents committed suicide, she was raped and endured physically abusive relationships with two consecutive partners. This culminated in Alice being admitted to various psychiatric institutions in order to treat her schizophrenia and personality disorder. Eventually Alice became homeless, living on the street and addicted to heroin. The physical scars on Alice’s body as a result of these experiences can be understood from a postmodern perspective as embodied manifestations of power and oppression (Tangenburg & Kemp, 2002). Taking a postmodern perspective that conceptualises the body as the site of power relations (Foucalt, 1977) leads to an understanding that “…the body is fundamentally implicated in mechanisms of domination and control.” (Tangenburg & Kemp, 2002). Postmodernism rejects overarching general theories, instead adopting an approach that acknowledges individual narratives, social context and recognises multiple identities that may intersect (Graham, 2017; Fook, 2012). The intersection of Alice’s gender, her adverse experiences both as a child and as an adult, her diagnosis of schizophrenia and the fact that she has experienced poverty for the entirety of her life has led to oppression and discrimination at multiple levels. A reliance on members of staff who are experienced as oppressive reinforces feelings of hopelessness, stigma, discrimination and disempowerment (Williams, et al., 2015). Alice has been exploited by fellow residents who target her on the days when she receives benefits, this form of oppression takes place at a personal level and is often experienced by adults with serious mental illnesses in the “…forced intimacy of supportive housing.” (Forenza & Bermea, 2017). Oppression and discrimination also takes place at a wider level. People diagnosed with schizophrenia are often stigmatized by a discourse of ‘otherness’ which portrays people with mental health challenges as a ‘problem’ who must be ‘controlled’ by bio-medical, biogenetic models (Beresford & Wilson, 2002). Despite the dogged insistence of the dominant ‘medical model’ discourse, contemporary evidence points to a causal link between social factors and a diagnosis of schizophrenia (Read, 2010). Typical triggers include poverty, adverse childhood experiences, rape and physical or psychological violence (Read, 2010; Burns, et al., 2014). It is essential that social workers acknowledge this increasingly influential discourse which suggests that schizophrenia and other forms of mental illness are bio-psycho-social manifestations of social conditions and health inequalities, not an inherent physiological condition (Bywaters, 2015; Karban, 2017; Friedli, 2009; Marmot, 2010; Read 2010). Revisiting the assumptions that I outlined above has helped me to explore how I experienced the initial incident. Firstly, I now believe that I saw and understood the situation in simplistic, binary terms. Identifying assumptions and binary thinking, regardless of how uncomfortable this may be for the practitioner, is crucial and demonstrates reflexivity (Fook, 2012, p.107). By ‘deconstructing’ and ‘resisting’ this binary thinking the practitioner can then go on to address how change might be achieved and what values and assumptions have been challenged (Fook & Gardner, 2007). Arriving at an understanding of the multiple levels of oppression and discrimination that have shaped and distorted Alice’s life has not only heightened my awareness in this particular case but it has also changed the way I will approach practice situations in the future. The importance of recognising multiple perspectives and social contexts in a non-linear, fluid and multifaceted way leads to more ‘bottom up’ practice that in turn empowers marginalised people by recognising and legitimising their experiences and voice (Fook, 2012; Graham, 2017; Parton & O’Byrne, 2000). Alice’s deteriorating mental health led me to conclude that her social worker needed to be informed of the situation. The worker expressed a great deal of frustration at the lack of inter-agency communication, written or otherwise, and a failure to disclose key pieces of information. This can often be attributed to a defensiveness on the part of housing organisations “…due to fear of damaging reputation…or fear of over-reaction” (Parry, 2013, p.19). As a plethora of Serious Case Reviews illustrate, clarity of inter-professional and interagency communication is vital for safe practice (Moss, 2017; Hall & Slembrouck, 2009; Flynn, 2010). In the case of Alice there are three primary agencies involved. In addition to this, Alice also has contact with a psychiatrist and regular medical reviews with her GP. The number of professions and agencies involved with this single client illustrates the multiple points of contact and potential challenges that operating in this contemporary inter-agency environment presents. Understanding the communication process requires an acknowledgement of the complexity and meaning of language itself. That is to say, ‘communication’ is not neutral and does not necessarily have a universal meaning to each element of the agency or profession (Hall & Slembrouck, 2009). ‘Communication’ can be seen as a process whereby “…information passes from one person to another and is understood by them.” (White & Featherstone, 2005, p. 214). This rather simple statement camouflages the multi-layered nature of the exchange which involves an array of subjective attitudes and feelings which are projected onto the communicated information both from the perspective of ‘sender’ and ‘receiver’ (Sarangi & Slembrouck, 1996). The diversity of roles within Alice’s network highlights the danger that various professions and agencies may assign different levels of priority or even conceptualisations to the arising issues (Hudson, 2015). This means that each communication is potentially ‘categorised’ differently and therefore there is a danger that co-agencies conceive of a given situation in completely different ways (Hall & Slembrouck, 2009). I continued to learn more about Alice’s life over the following weeks.  I observed the patience and empathy that Alice’s social worker demonstrated during the interview process. Often Alice would experience what appeared to be moments of psychosis during which she seemed to be transported back in time to a particularly traumatic event which resulted in repetitive phrases and sentences being used to describe what had happened. Although these moments appeared to be traumatic for Alice she said on many occasions that she wanted to speak about her past. I noted the way that Alice’s social worker handled difficult or emotionally salient passages during interviews (Goss, 2011), particularly the use of silence and the importance of being patient rather than asking superfluous questions to fill uncomfortable pauses (Trevithick, 2012). The importance of ‘iatrogenic health’, the process whereby possibilities and opportunities are acknowledged and explored, is part of a constructive narrative approach founded on a postmodern perspective (Parton & O’Byrne, 2000). The whole thrust of the conversations, whilst acknowledging the trauma of the past and the difficulties of the present, were very much focused on the aim of Alice moving-on in both a literal and metaphorical sense. The social worker talked through the steps that needed to be taken by Alice and the support that she would need in order to achieve this goal, a process referred to as the amplification of personal agency (Parton & O’Byrne, 2000, p.60). This relationship-based work (Woodcock Ross, 2011) with Alice highlights the importance of partnership working and emphasises the need to avoid ‘top-down’ structural models (Hudson, 2015, p.102). Whilst the idea of ‘partnership’ suggests equality and collaboration, practitioners should still manage power relations with service users carefully, especially where a lack of confidence inhibits the service user from taking on the responsibility of partnership (Dalrymple & Burke, 2006). This aspect of partnership practice was and is very pertinent in the relationship between Alice and her social worker. The asymmetry between the social worker and service user emphasises the need for the practitioner to be cognizant of the inherent power imbalance in the relationship (Leung, 2011). Even where social work is undertaken with the best of intentions, for example in anti-oppressive practice, there is a danger that the voice and knowledge of the service user is lost by the intervention of the ‘expert’ practitioner (Wilson & Beresford, 2000). The difficulties Alice experienced at the hostel which culminated in such a troubled state of mind calls into question the place of adult safeguarding both within the organisation and in the wider context. The implementation of The Care Act 2014 introduced new responsibilities and statutory duties on local authorities and partner agencies with an emphasis on moving away from process-driven practice (Cass, 2015). The new legislation was adopted into Company policy, statutory guidance makes it clear that there is an onus on employers to ensure that staff working in a housing environment are adequately trained in recognising signs of abuse or neglect, which includes self-neglect under the terms of The Care Act 2014 (Department of Health, 2014). At the time of my critical incident Alice was failing to attend to personal hygiene on a regular basis, frequently appeared to be experiencing low mood and would often break down in tears even when engaging in mundane, everyday conversation. Supported housing is often regarded as a positive environment that promotes recovery-oriented practice (Harvey, et al., 2012), but it can also be experienced as an oppressive and hostile setting where staff are at best indifferent to the needs of service users or can actively act as the oppressor (Bengtsson-Tops, et al., 2014). This is especially concerning when one considers that housing staff may be the only service that residents have contact with (Cass, 2015). Risk assessments are an integral aspect of work with vulnerable people (Parry, 2013). Yet risks remain, in essence, unpredictable phenomena that defy reliably accurate outcomes (Munro & Rumgay, 2000). From a postmodern perspective, practitioners should not seek to totally eliminate risk by a ‘scientized’, calculated approach because this is doomed to failure (Parton, 1998, p. 23). Instead, there should be an acceptance that uncertainty and complexity are inherent in human interaction and therefore consideration should be given not only to ‘negative’ risk but also to the benefits of ‘positive’ risk (Macdonald & Macdonald, 2010). Risk management can be seen as a continuum (Nolan & Quinn, 2012), so whilst service user vulnerabilities must be taken into account when assessing risks there is also a balance to be struck. Planned risk-taking can and should promote a good quality of life, develop new skills and expand life experiences (Barry, 2007). Alice wishes to live independently and this is the preferred option for the social worker. However, a judgment will ultimately need to be made as to whether the rights and needs of a vulnerable service user are best served by advocating for Alice’s wishes or actively encouraging another course of action that is ‘safer’ for Alice (Kemshall, et al., 2013). This case study has demonstrated the complexity and breadth of contemporary social work. Whilst there is not universal agreement (Ixer, 2016), the central importance of critical reflection to the profession of social work is widely accepted (Thompson, 2010, p. 183). The opportunity to work with Alice has provided much to reflect on and learn from. My work with Alice has taught me many things, most notably the impact of personal and structural processes of oppression and discrimination. However, I believe the key lesson that I take from my professional relationship with Alice is to try and show the same level of astonishing resilience and generosity of spirit that Alice has demonstrated throughout her life to the present day. Works Cited Barry, M., 2007. Effective Approaches to Risk Assessment in Social Work: An International Literature Review. [Online]  Available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/doc/194419/0052192.pdf BASW, 2014. The Code of Ethics for Social Work, Birmingham: BASW. Bengtsson-Tops, A., Ericsson, U. & Ehliasson, K., 2014. Living in supportive housing for people with serious mental illness: A paradoxical everyday life. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 1(23), pp. 409-418. Beresford, P. & Wilson, A., 2002. Genes Spell Danger: Mental health service users/ survivors, bioethics and control. Disability & Society, 17(5), pp. 541-553 Bywaters, P., 2015. Inequalities in Child Welfare: Towards a New Policy, Research and Action Agenda. British Journal of Social Work, 45(1), pp. 6-23. Cass, E., 2015. The role of housing in adult safeguarding. Housing, Care And Support, 18(2), pp. 51-55. Dalrymple, J. & Burke, B., 2006. Anti-Oppressive Practice Social Care and the Law. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education. Department of Education, 2018. Knowledge and skills for child and family practitioners, London: HMSO. Department of Health, 2014. Care and Support Statutory Guidance. London: HMSO. Department of Health, 2015. Knowledge and Skills Statement for Social Workers in Adult Services. [Online]  Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ data/file/411957/KSS.pdf Fook, J., 2012. Social Work: A Critical Approach to Practice. 1st ed. London: SAGE. Fook, J. & Gardner, F., 2007. Practising Critical Reflection: A Resource Handbook. 1st ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Forenza, B. & Bermea, A. M., 2017. An Exploratory Analysis of Unhealthy and Abusive Relationships for Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses Living in Supportive Housing. Community Mental Health , Volume 53, pp. 679-687. Friedli, L., 2009. Mental Health, Resilience and Inequalities, Copenhagen: World Health Organisation. Goss, J., 2011. Poetics in Schizophrenic Language: Speech, Gesture and Biosemiotics. Biosemiotics, 4(3), pp. 291-307. Graham, M. J., 2017. Reflective Thinking in Social Work: Learning from Student Narratives. 1st ed. Abingdon: Routledge. Hall, C. & Slembrouck, S., 2009. Professional Categorization, Risk Management and InterAgency Communication in Public Inquiries into Disastrous Outcomes. British Journal of Social Work, 39(1), pp. 280-298. Harvey, C., Killackey, E., Groves, A. & Herrman, H., 2012. A place to live: Housing needs for people with psychotic disorders identified in the second Australian national survey of psychosis. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 46(9), pp. 840-850. HCPC, 2017. Social workers in England, London: HCPC. Healy, K., 2012. Social Work Methods and Skills: The Essential Foundations of Practice. 1st ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Hudson, A., 2015. Social Work: a “forgotten” piece of the integration jigsaw?. Journal of Integrated Care, 23(2), pp. 96-103. Ingram, R., 2013. Locating Emotional Intelligence at the Heart of Social Work Practice. British Journal of Social Work, Volume 43, pp. 987-1004. Ixer, G., 2016. The concept of reflection: is it skill based or values?. Social Work Education, 35(7), pp. 809-824. Karban, K., 2017. Developing a Health Inequalities Approach for Mental Health Social Work. British Journal of Social Work, Volume 47, pp. 885-902. Kemshall, H., Wilkinson, B. & Baker, K., 2013. Working with Risk. 1st ed. Cambridge: Polity Press. Laird, S., 2011. Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Practice. 1st ed. Maidenhead: SAGE. Lam, C. M., Wong, H. & Leung, T. T. F., 2007. An Unfinished Reflexive Journey: Social Work Students’ Reflection on their Placement Experiences. British Journal of Social Work, 1(37), pp. 91-105. Leung, T., 2011. Client Participation in Managing Social Work Service-An Unfinished Quest. Social Work, 56(1), pp. 43-52. Lishman, J., 2009. Communication in Social Work. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Macdonald, G. & Macdonald, K., 2010. Safeguarding: A Case for Intelligent Risk Management. British Journal of Social Work, 40(1), pp. 1174-1191. Marmot, M., 2010. Fair Society, Healthy Lives: Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post 2010. [Online]  Available at: www.parliament.uk/documents/fair-society-healthy-lives-full-report Moss, B., 2017. Communication Skills in Health and Social Care. 4th ed. London: SAGE. Munro, E., 2011. The Munro Review of Child Protection, Final Report, A child-centerd system, London: The Stationary Office. Munro, E. & Rumgay, J., 2000. Role of risk assessment in reducing homicides by people with mental illness. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176(2), pp. 116-120. Nerdrum, P., 1997. Maintenance of the Effect of Training in Communication Skills: A Controlled Follow-Up Study of Level of Communicated Empathy. British Journal of Social Work, 27(1), pp. 705-722. Nolan, D. & Quinn, N., 2012. The Context of Risk Management in Mental Health Social Work. Practice: Social Work in Action, 24(3), pp. 175-188. Norrie, C. et al., 2017. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Models of Organising Adult Safeguarding. British Journal of Social Work, 47(1), pp. 1205-1223. Parrish, M., 2014. Social Work Perspectives on Human Behaviour. 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Parrish, M., 2014. Social Work Perspectives on Human Behaviour. 1st ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Parry, I., 2013. Adult safeguarding and the role of housing. The Journal of Adult Protection, 15(1), pp. 15-25. Parton, N., 1998. Risk, Advanced Liberalism and Child Welfare: The Need to Rediscover Uncertainty and Ambiguity. British Journal of Social Work, 28(1), pp. 5-27. Parton, N. & O’Byrne, P., 2000. Constructive Social Work. 1st ed. Basingstoke: MacMillan Press Ltd. Payne, M., 2014. Modern Social Work Theory. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Piat, M., Sabetti, J. & Padgett, D., 2017. Supported housing for adults with psychiatric disabilities: How tenants confront the problem of loneliness. Health Soc Care Community, Volume 26, pp. 191-198. Read, J., 2010. Can Poverty Drive You Mad? ‘Schizophrenia’, Socio-Economic Status and the Case for Primary Prevention. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 39(2), pp. 7-19. Rutter, L. & Brown, K., 2012. Critical Thinking and Professional Judgment for Social Work. 3rd ed. London: SAGE. Sarangi, S. & Slembrouck, S., 1996. Language, Bureaucracy & Social Control. 1st ed. Harlow: Addison Wesley Longman Limited. Savaya, R. & Gardner, F., 2012. Critical Reflection to Identify Gaps between Espoused Theory and Theory-in-Use. Social Work, 57(2), pp. 145-154. Savaya, R., Gardner, F. & Stange, D., 2011. Stressful Encounters with Social Work Clients: A Descriptive Account Based on Critical Incidents. Social Work: National Association of Social Workers, 56(1), pp. 63-72. Schon, D., 1983. The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. New York:Basic Books Schön, D., 1987. Educating The Reflective Practitioner. 1st ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Schwartz, S., 1982. Is there a schizophrenic language?. The Behavioural and Brain Sciences, 5(1), pp. 579-626. Skills for Care, 2015. The Social Work ASYE: Guidance for NQSWs completeing the ASYE in adults and child settings. [Online]  Available at: www.skillsforcare.org.uk Tangenburg, K. M. & Kemp, S., 2002. Embodied Practice: Claiming the Body’s Experience, Agency, and Knowledge for Social Work. Social Work, 47(1), pp. 9-18. Tannebaum, R. P., Hall, A. H. & Deaton, C. M., 2013. The Development of Reflective Practice in American Education. Ameican Educational History Journal, 40(2), pp. 241-259. Teater, B., 2014. Contemporary Social Work Practice. 1st ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Thompson, N., 2010. Theorizing Social Work Practice. 1st ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Trevithick, P., 2012. Social Work Skills and Knowledge ; A Practice Handbook. 3rd ed. Maidenhead: Open University. White, S. & Featherstone, B., 2005. Communicating misunderstandings: Multi agency work as social practice. Child and Family Social Work, 10(2), pp. 207-216. Williams, C. C., Almeida, M. & Knyahnytska, Y., 2015. Towards a Biopsychosociopolitical Frame for Recovery in the Context of Mental Illness. British Journal of Social Work, 45(1), pp. i9-i26. Wilson, A. & Beresford, P., 2000. ‘Anti-Oppressive Practice”: Emancipation or Appropriation. British Journal of Social Work, 30(1), pp. 553-573. Woodcock Ross, J., 2011. Specialist Communication Skills for Social Workers: Focusing on Service Users’ Needs. 1st ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

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A Guide On Crafting an Observation Paper

If you've never heard about writing an observation essay, that precise moment is yet to come because this type of writing is observed everywhere. No matter where you study, what discipline is your major, etc. - you'll need to write an observation essay. It may be difficult enough for you to understand what's what when you get this assignment for the first time. However, it's a one-time problem that can be easily solved if you're truly interested in trying a new type of essay. Of course, it's not obligatory to adore writing, but you must want to try something new; otherwise, you will never succeed in any new endeavor.

Let's not forget that this paper requires a deep immersion in the described person, event, or group, so you must write it the way your readers will feel the atmosphere. Your task is to transfer the emotions and situations correctly and boost your readers' imagination.

The Definition of Personal Observation Essay

It's impossible to start working on a paper without a proper understanding of what it is. Observation writing presupposes describing the things you see every day or observing something particular (person, event, situation, or anything else). However, an observation essay is far from being the descriptive one, so a trite outline of what happens around isn't enough to consider your paper successful. Your goal is to help your readers feel the experience you felt the same way. That's why you must be extremely attentive and take detailed notes when observing the object.

There are many ways to make observations, and the way to do it to write your paper is special. When you're working on research, you just need brief and dry statistics (numbers, percentages, etc.), but working on an observation paper requires you to notice and write down even the information you can consider unnecessary. Everything that can catch your reader and make them interested in your observations must be included, no matter what it is: the time of the day, people's mood, the clothes they are wearing, and so on.

Educators use this type of writing not just to help students boost their imagination and use their writing skills. Don't forget that an observation paper is a perfect way to evaluate your attentiveness to details, your writing, and your editing skills. We hope you realize that this type of writing is special, so there's no need to explain that formatting and writing rules here differ.

7 Effective Tips On Observation Writing

Even though the structure of different essay types is similar, they still have many differences to be discussed. However, the observation paper has enough important aspects to keep in mind, so let's review the key ones. Read this information attentively and try not to forget all these details.

• The essential idea of your writing. Many students adore writing observation essays because it gives them the freedom of reflection. And we mainly talk about choosing a topic. Suppose your professor hasn't set any specific theme to write about. In that case, you can observe your cat sleeping under the morning sun, watching children playing on a playground, or anything else you're interested in. An observation essay is perfect because it doesn't require you to invest any resources into writing, of course, besides your time and efforts. The most important requirements for you are the following: you must be interested in the subject and not too involved in it. These two conditions guarantee you'll write an informative overview. The role of the observer isn't as easy as it may seem. To depict the situation the right way, you must not be related to people you observe and try not to disturb the right order of things. You're the observer, not the participant, don't forget it. Of course, you may think that it's possible to use your imagination, and no one knows about it, but how is it not to be honest with yourself?
• Your part. We've already mentioned that your task is to be a mute spectator, who keeps an eye on everything that is going on, makes notes, and thinks about how to depict the situation in a future paper. And the role of the spectator was chosen not without reason. It's a lot easier to monitor the situation when you don't participate in the process, and it guarantees that you'll be able to concentrate and won't need to try to recall this process when writing the paper. So the role of the observer is perfect; however, be ready to change it for a participator. For example, maybe you'll want to write an observation essay about a situation from your life or another event you participated in.
• Make your remarks as detailed as possible. We admit that you can have an excellent memory, but it doesn't mean you can ignore this rule. No other academic paper requires students to write so many notes as observation writing. We hope you understand why. Your goal is to remember the order of the things, the atmosphere, and other details that'll make your description vivid. The more detailed notes you have, the higher grade you'll get.
• The first-person narrative is a must. This type of writing is special, so you can break the standard rules and use 1st person singular pronoun. An observation essay is impossible without using it. But, keep in mind that your professor may change the rules and requirements the way they want, so read the paper they provide carefully before writing it.
• Past and future tenses are prohibited. No one is interested in when the situation you're depicting in your paper happened, so you must always write in the present tense. Of course, it's perfect if the situation you're observing is happening right now, but it's okay to depict past events as if they're occurring in present.
• Add information to make your essay vivid. Sensory details, emotions, atmosphere, and other aspects mean a lot, so stop thinking that omitting this or that aspect is okay. In observation writing, every single detail matters.
• Avoid being vague. Although this paper isn't supposed to describe exact sciences, measures, and anything like that, you still shouldn't use vague formulations and describe the things they are in reality. For example, if there's any noise, please, tell me what made this noise and what it is. Do everything to help your readers delve into the atmosphere and understand the situation.

Step-by-Step Guide On Starting Your Paper

Starting a paper you've never written before is probably the hardest thing. Still, we can reassure you that the observation essay is different, so you may not face any difficulties at all. First of all, you should remember that no strict rules can be applied to this type of writing, so breathe out. However, you must comply with all requirements stated by your professor. The structure of your paper remains almost the same: you start with an introduction and describe the setting the way everything becomes interesting for your readers and catches their attention.

As you remember, making your readers interested is the main purpose of your introduction, so the first 5-6 sentences must be written perfectly. Maybe you'll need to give the maximum effort to finish them, but be sure that they are worth it. If you aren't very experienced in paper writing, you may need some expert advice on introduction writing, so the tips are already here:

• Add a short summary of your paper. Don't be afraid to make a spoiler. Your readers will still be interested in reading your paper. A brief overview just tells them what the paper will be about and nothing more. Help them be sure their expectations will meet the reality.
• What about jokes? Many writers like inserting anecdotes and jokes in their introductions; however, you must be confident that your joke is easy to understand and it won't make your readers feel confused.
• Ask a question. If you want to arouse curiosity, you can make readers think about something by asking a question, but it must be relevant to the topic of your observation paper.
• Include some interesting information. Try to recall what exactly made you interested in writing an observation paper about a certain situation. State this information in your introduction to catch readers.
• "To be continued." How often did you face this kind of clickbait in movies and other types of content? It's annoying, but it makes you want to continue reading or watching something, right? You're free to implement this technique in your paper.

And the last thing you shouldn't forget is your thesis statement. These 1-2 sentences should be placed at the very end of your introductory paragraph, and their purpose is to reflect the central idea of your essay.

How Should The Main Paragraphs of the Observation Essay Look?

There are no clear requirements as to the number of paragraphs for this type of writing. Here your task is to depict the situation you're observing as detailed as possible, and you can do it by all means. The key requirements for your text are:

• consistency;
• present tense;
• absence of mistakes.

Make sure that the body lets your readers feel the atmosphere, smells, and sounds the way you felt them.

What About The Conclusion?

The ending paragraph of the observation essay is also very important, so you'd better pay enough attention to writing it. You described your observations in the main body, and now your task is to make conclusions. Describe why this situation and these observations are important, how your readers can benefit from your paper, and state the main idea once again. If you use any special technique to start your paper (like the ones we mentioned in a few sections above), please, use this technique here to wrap up your paper.

The Secrets of Writing a Successful Outline

As you already know, a good outline is a half of success. So don't even start writing about the event you've never observed yourself: this experience should happen to you at least once; otherwise, you won't craft a good essay.

The next important choice you should make is the order. You can start describing your observation in a few ways:

• First, tell the story the way it happened.
• Describe the things you consider the most important first, and only after they proceed with other details.
• Lay out the information in the form of a narrative.

To choose the right way, you must analyze your target audience and the subject of your paper. Then, consider what fits the most and make the right choice.

If you choose to write a paper on the influence of a certain product on your health, experiment and observe your health and emotional state on a diet instead of searching for the research made by someone else. Make notes every day and write down each change, even if you don't consider it important. Use the introduction to write general info on the impact of the chosen product on human health, describe your feelings in the body paragraphs, and then summarize everything in conclusion. Do your best to help readers understand the value of your research.

A Set of Top Observation Topics

It's difficult enough to choose what to observe, so we are here to help you choose an interesting subject. Check the list of available topics, modify them, and you'll never get bored when writing. Here are our top 20:

• What makes people get addicted to shopping?
• The effect of video games on the human brain.
• Music as a therapy.
• What makes students skip classes?
• The reasons for jealousy.
• Sports and leadership: can you develop it with training?
• Driving instruction: is it difficult?
• People's commitment to earning more money: what is causing it?
• Your observations of climate change.
• The importance of communication.
• Do people get sick more often now than in the last century?
• Explain your feelings after getting a tattoo.
• Rope jumping: your experience.
• From enemy to best friend: transformation.
• Jumping with a parachute for the first time.
• Parents' influence on children's behavior.
• Traveling alone: your observations.
• Have you ever seen a wild animal? Describe how it was.
• The difference between the two generations.
• The safest way to travel (car, plane, train, etc.)

Order Professional Help To Get A Grade For Your Observation Essay

Essay writing is the boring and exhausting process by its nature, but you can easily transform it into something you really like if you choose an interesting subject to observe. So find something you really like, start observing, make notes and then start working on your paper. However, we are sure that some of you will never want to write an essay alone, so we are here to offer professional help to you. A few clicks can save your time, health, and efforts to focus them on something more important.

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Course Overview

What we'll do

Over 10 course units, we will develop key reading and writing skills and apply them in activities, workshops, writing assignments, and revisions. We’ll hone our text comprehension and analysis skills with multiple-choice questions based on nonfiction passages. In addition, we’ll write 13 full essays, including three for a final practice exam that mimics a full AP exam. Through our reading and writing, we’ll explore how people communicate their ideas and feelings through language, how readers understand those ideas and feelings, and what types of communication are most effective for each situation. You will continually improve by applying instructor and classmate feedback on your own writing.

What we’ll learn

• To analyze an author’s use of diction, tone, syntax, comparisons, methods of development, figurative language, audience appeals, and formatting
• To write persuasively on a variety of topics based on given evidence and your own knowledge and experiences
• To effectively use strategies such as introducing and concluding an essay, writing strong thesis statements, seamlessly embedding quotations, qualifying arguments, rebutting counterarguments, and creating cohesion in an essay

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Explain how writers’ choices reflect the components of the rhetorical situation
• Make strategic choices in a text to address a rhetorical situation
• Identify and describe the claims and evidence of an argument
• Analyze and select evidence to develop and refine a claim
• Describe the reasoning, organization, and development of an argument
• Illuminate the line of reasoning in an argument with organization and commentary
• Explain how writers’ stylistic choices contribute to the purpose of an argument
• Select words and use elements of composition to advance an argument
• Annotate texts, narrow multiple-choice options, and outline essays to prepare for timed tests
• Communicate effectively and empathetically about topics that affect all people

How we'll measure learning

The objectives for this course align exactly with those released by the College Board for this exam, and course lessons cover all of these objectives. You will demonstrate mastery of course skills with multiple-choice quizzes in every unit and three different types of essays. All multiple-choice questions and essay prompts either appeared on a previous AP exam, or closely mimic AP style and format. In this graded course, each assignment will be assessed using a rubric aligned to AP grading standards.

This course is

Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY

This course is not open for enrollment at this time. Please check back later.

Testing and Prerequisites

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

Cost and Financial Aid

Application fee.

• Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
• Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

Financial Aid

We have concluded our financial aid application review process for Academic Year 2023-2024 Online Programs (Courses with start dates July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Our application for Academic Year 2024-2025 Online Programs is expected to open in January. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible.

Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course . If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected] .  

No textbooks are required for this course

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client , and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app . Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download.

Terms & Conditions

Students may interact in online classrooms and meetings that include peers, instructors, and occasional special guests.

After a you complete a course, your projects may be used to illustrate work for future students. 

You will need to create an account on a third-party site to access course resources.

About Language Arts at CTY

Enhance your skills in creative writing and critical reading, learn to craft effective sentences, and develop an analytical approach to reading and writing through our Language Arts courses. Guided by our expert instructors, you can further develop your communication skills in our interdisciplinary visual fluency courses, and explore topics in communication theory, design theory, and cognitive psychology. Through coursework and online discussions with classmates from around the world, you’ll elevate your writing structure and style, hone your craft, and become an adept wordsmith fluent in the language of literary arts. 

Write, Edit, Publish

Walk in the shoes of a writer, editor, and publisher this fall in Master Class I: Writing, Editing, and Publishing , and then collaborate with peers to create the next issue of our CTY Online student-developed literary journal, Lexophilia , in Master Class II: Writing, Editing, and Publishing , offered in the winter.

Explore Greek Myths

Newly revised for fall 2021, you'll read, discuss, and write about Greek myths in Young Readers’ Series: Greek Myths Revisited , studying exciting, heroic characters and ancient narratives that continue to teach us all valuable lessons about life, love, and family.

Meet our Language Arts Instructors

I realize that I love teaching on an almost daily basis. It comes to me in the form of a student's 'ah-ha' moment, when everything clicks and the student understands a challenging concept. I get goose bumps just thinking about it!

Yvonne Borresen

Language Arts Instructor

• Career Exploration
• Arts, Communications, & Media
• Education, Nonprofit, & Public Health
• Business, Consulting, Finance, & Marketing
• Government, International Affairs, Law, & Public Policy
• Health Professions Advising
• Career Essentials Resources
• Graduate School
• Application Support
• Short Internship Projects (SHIPs)
• Fellowships for Undergraduates
• Fellowships for Graduates
• Class of 2025 Fellowship Planning
• Fellowships for International Students
• Civic Engagement

Writing a Personal Statement

Preparing to Write

Brainstorming, don't forget, sample prompts.

A personal statement is a narrative essay that connects your background, experiences, and goals to the mission, requirements, and desired outcomes of the specific opportunity you are seeking. It is a critical component in the selection process, whether the essay is for a competitive internship, a graduate fellowship, or admittance to a graduate school program. It gives the selection committee the best opportunity to get to know you, how you think and make decisions, ways in which past experiences have been significant or formative, and how you envision your future. Personal statements can be varied in form; some are given a specific prompt, while others are less structured. However, in general a personal statement should answer the following questions:

• Who are you?
• What are your goals?
• How does this specific program/opportunity help you achieve your goals?
• What is in the future?

A personal statement is not:

• A variation of your college admissions essay
• An academic/research paper
• A narrative version of your resume
• A creative writing piece (it can be creative, though)
• An essay about somebody else

Keep in mind that your statement is only a portion of the application and should be written with this in mind. Your entire application package will include some, possibly all, of the materials listed below. You will want to consider what these pieces of the application communicate about you. Your personal statement should aim to tie everything together and fill in or address any gaps. There will likely be some overlap but be sure not to be too repetitive.

• Personal Statement(s)
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendations
• Sample of written work
• Research proposal

For a quick overview of personal statements, you might begin by watching this "5 Minute Fellowships" video!

If you are writing your first personal statement or working to improve upon an existing personal statement, the video below is a helpful, in-depth resource.

A large portion of your work towards completing a personal statement begins well before your first draft or even an outline. It is incredibly important to be sure you understand all of the rules and regulations around the statement. Things to consider before you begin writing:

• How many prompts? And what are they? It is important to know the basics so you can get your ideas in order. Some programs will require a general statement of interest and a focused supplementary or secondary statement closely aligned with the institution's goals.
• Are there formatting guidelines? Single or double spaced, margins, fonts, text sizes, etc. Our general guideline is to keep it simple.
• How do I submit my statement(s)? If uploading a document we highly suggest using a PDF as it will minimize the chances of accidental changes to formatting. Some programs may event ask you to copy and paste into a text box.
• When do I have to submit my statement(s)? Most are due at the time of application but some programs, especially medical schools, will ask for secondary statements a few months after you apply. In these instances be sure to complete them within two weeks, any longer is an indication that you aren't that interested in the institution.

Below is a second 5 Minute Fellowships video that can help you get started!

Before you start writing, take some time to reflect on your experiences and motivations as they relate to the programs to which you are applying. This will offer you a chance to organize your thoughts which will make the writing process much easier. Below are a list of questions to help you get started:

• What individuals, experiences or events have shaped your interest in this particular field?
• What has influenced your decision to apply to graduate school?
• How does this field align with your interests, strengths, and values?
• What distinguishes you from other applicants?
• What would you bring to this program/profession?
• What has prepared you for graduate study in this field? Consider your classes at Wellesley, research and work experience, including internships, summer jobs and volunteer work.
• Why are you interested in this particular institution or degree program?
• How is this program distinct from others?
• What do you hope to gain?
• What is motivating you to seek an advanced degree now?
• Where do you see yourself headed and how will this degree program help you get there?

For those applying to Medical School, if you need a committee letter for your application and are using the Medical Professions Advisory Committee you have already done a lot of heavy lifting through the 2017-2018 Applicant Information Form . Even if you aren't using MPAC the applicant information form is a great place to start.

Another great place to start is through talking out your ideas. You have a number of options both on and off campus, such as: Career Education advisors and mentors ( you can set up an appointment here ), major advisor, family, friends. If you are applying to a graduate program it is especially important to talk with a faculty member in the field. Remember to take good notes so you can refer to them later.

When you begin writing keep in mind that your essay is one of many in the application pool. This is not to say you should exaggerate your experiences to “stand out” but that you should focus on clear, concise writing. Also keep in mind that the readers are considering you not just as a potential student but a future colleague. Be sure to show them examples and experiences which demonstrate you are ready to begin their program.

It is important to remember that your personal statement will take time and energy to complete, so plan accordingly. Every application and statement should be seen as different from one another, even if they are all the same type of program. Each institution may teach you the same material but their delivery or focus will be slightly different.

In addition, remember:

• Be yourself: You aren’t good at being someone else
• Tragedy is not a requirement, reflection and depth are
• Research the institution or organization
• Proofread, proofread, proofread
• How to have your personal statement reviewed

The prompts below are from actual applications to a several types of programs. As you will notice many of them are VERY general in nature. This is why it is so important to do your research and reflect on your motivations. Although the prompts are similar in nature the resulting statements would be very different depending on the discipline and type of program, as well as your particular background and reasons for wanting to pursue this graduate degree.

• This statement should illustrate your academic background and experiences and explain why you would excel in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (UMass Amherst - M.S. in Civil Engineering).
• Describe your academic and career objectives and how the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies can help you achieve them. Include other considerations that explain why you seek admissions to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and your interests in the environmental field (Yale - Master of Environmental Management).  
• Please discuss your academic interests and goals. Include your current professional and research interests, as well as your long-range professional objectives. Please be as specific as possible about how your objectives can be met at Clark and do not exceed 800 words (Clark University - M.A. in International Development and Social Change).
• Write a 500- to 700-word statement that describes your work or research. Discuss how you came to focus on the medium, body of work, or academic area you wish to pursue at the graduate level. Also discuss future directions or goals for your work, and describe how the Master of Fine Arts in Studio (Printmedia) is particularly suited to your professional goals (School of the Art Institute of Chicago - MFA in Studio, Printmaking).
• Your statement should explain why you want to study economics at the graduate level. The statement is particularly important if there is something unusual about your background and preparation that you would like us to know about you (University of Texas at Austin - Ph.D in Economics).
• Your personal goal statement is an important part of the review process for our faculty members as they consider your application. They want to know about your background, work experience, plans for graduate study and professional career, qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the program, and any other relevant information (Indiana University Bloomington - M.S.Ed. in Secondary Education).
• Your autobiographical essay/personal statement is a narrative that outlines significant experiences in your life, including childhood experiences, study and work, your strengths and aspirations in the field of architecture, and why you want to come to the University of Oregon (University of Oregon - Master of Architecture).
• Personal history and diversity statement, in which you describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. You may refer to any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences, challenges, community service, outreach activities, residency and citizenship, first-generation college status, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how your life experiences contribute to the social, intellectual or cultural diversity within a campus community and your chosen field; or how you might serve educationally underrepresented and underserved segments of society with your graduate education (U.C. Davis - M.A. in Linguistics).
• A Personal Statement specifying your past experiences, reasons for applying, and your areas of interest. It should explain your intellectual and personal goals, why you are interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary degree rather than a more traditional disciplinary one, and how this degree fits into your intellectual and personal future (Rutgers University - Ph.D in Women’s and Gender Studies).
• Your application requires a written statement to uploaded into your application and is a critical component of your application for admission. This is your opportunity to tell us what excites you about the field of library and information science, and what problems you want to help solve in this field. Please also tell us how your prior experiences have prepared you for this next step toward your career goals and how this program will help you achieve them (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Master of Science in Library Science).
• After watching the video, please describe what strengths and preferences as a learner you have that will facilitate your success in this innovative curriculum. What challenges in our curriculum do you anticipate and what strategies might you use to address these challenges? (MGH Institute of Health Professions PT - They recently redesigned their curriculum)
• Your personal goal statement should briefly describe how you view the future of the field, what your goals are to be part of that future, and what brought you to pursue an advanced education degree in your chosen field. You may include any other information that you feel might be useful. (Northeastern PT)
• Personal Statement: In 500 words or less, describe a meaningful educational experience that affected your professional goals and growth and explain how it impacted you. The educational experience does not need to be related to this degree. Focus on the educational experience and not why you think you would be a good professional in this field. (Simmons PT)
• Personal Statement (500 word minimum): State your reasons for seeking admission to this program at this institution. Include your professional goals, why you want to pursue a career in this field and how admission to this program will assist you in accomplishing those goals. (Regis College Nursing)
• “Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to this type of program.” (AMCAS)
• Address the following three questions(Though there is no set limit, most statements are 1–2 pages, single-spaced.): What are your reasons for pursuing this degree? Why do you wish to pursue your degree at this institution? How do you intend to leverage your degree in a career of this field? (Boston University MPH)
• Please submit a personal statement/statement of purpose of no more than 500 words for the department/degree of choice. Professional degree essays require a clear understanding of the _______ field and how you hope to work within the field. Be sure to proofread your personal statement carefully for spelling and grammar. In your statement, be sure to address the following: what interests you in the field of _____ what interests you in a specific degree program and department at this institution and what interests you in a particular certificate (if applicable). Please also describe how you hope to use your ________ training to help you achieve your career goals. (Columbia PhD in Public Health - Epidemiology)
• Because each Home Program requires significant original research activities in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree, we are interested in obtaining as much information as possible about your previous research experiences. Those who already have such experience are in a better position to know whether they are truly interested in performing ______ research as part of a graduate program. Please include specific information about your research experience in your Statement of Purpose. You may also use the Statement to amplify your comments about your choice of Home Program(s), and how your past experiences and current interests are related to your choice. Personal Statements should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced). Make sure to set your computer to Western European or other English-language setting. We cannot guarantee the ability to access your statement if it is submitted in other fonts. (Stanford Biosciences PhD)
• Your statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the Department of ____ at ___ University. It would be helpful to include what you have done to prepare for this degree program. Please describe your research interests, past research experience, future career plans and other details of your background and interests that will allow us to evaluate your ability to thrive in our program. If you have interests that align with a specific faculty member, you may state this in your application. Your statement of purpose should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced). (Stanford Bioengineering PhD)
• Statement of purpose (Up to one page or 1,000 words): Rather than a research proposal, you should provide a statement of purpose. Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at this institution and your relevant experience and education. Please provide an indication of the area of your proposed research and supervisor(s) in your statement. This will be assessed for the coherence of the statement; evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study; the ability to present a reasoned case in English; and commitment to the subject. (Oxford Inorganic Chemistry - DPhil)

Related resources

Virtual Gilman Writing Workshop - Getting Started on the Three Essays!

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Online Faculty, Staff, Students

Gilman Program Application Is Now Open ! 

NOW is the time to start on your essays by opening an application account in the IIE Gilman portal.  You will want to work closely with Katie Jones, the Graduate Assistant in the Fellowships Office and Dr. Brenda Tooley, who leads the GVSU Fellowship Office. In this Virtual Workshop, we will go over the three required essays, talking about the prompts for each. 

You’ll want to copy us on your google doc drafts of your essays – just use my gmail address, [email protected] (we work just like the Writing Center). Definitely DO NOT WAIT until the last minute to begin working on your essays! 

What is the IIE Gilman International Scholarship? It is a US State Department fellowship for US students who are Pell recipients to help defray the cost of undergraduate study abroad. Here is the Gilman blurb:

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means (Pell recipients) to study or intern abroad, providing awards of up to $5,000 for study-abroad programs. The program aims to encourage students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries or areas and world regions. The program also encourages students to study languages, especially critical need languages (those deemed important to national security by adding a supplement of up to $3,000 for intensive language study of designated critical need languages). Are you planning to study abroad? Are you eligible for the IIE Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship? Join us to learn more about the application process!

AM I ELIGIBLE?

-  I am a U.S. citizen.

-  I am a GVSU undergraduate  in good standing  (not on probation; with no conduct violations).  Spring/Summer Applicants can walk at April graduation but their degree cannot be conferred until after they complete their study abroad program.

-  I am eligible for the  Pell Grant .    Not sure?  Ask  GVSU Financial Aid Office .

OR  —  dependent child of an active-duty military member(s) during the time of application . Parent/guardian must serve in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, or Coast Guard. Applicant must currently receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid. Study abroad program must meet all other Gilman eligibility. The  Gilman-McCain Scholarship uses the same application as the Gilman Scholarship .

Thinking about study abroad? Receive up to $5,000 to go abroad as a college student if you’re a U.S. citizen and Federal Pell Grant recipient! If you’re studying a critical need language in a country in which the language is predominantly spoken, you can apply for the supplemental Critical Need Language Award of up to $3,000. If you’re interested in conducting STEM-related research while studying or interning abroad, you could receive an additional $1,000 by applying for the STEM Supplemental Award.

The application closes October 10! Learn more at Gilman Scholarship Program - Study Abroad with a Gilman Scholarship . And see Application Overview - Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (gilmanscholarship.org) for an overview of the application process!

And this is ONLY ONE of MANY fellowship opportunities that help with the costs of study abroad - others include IIE Freeman-Asia, Phi Kappa Phi, Bridging (for study in Japan), Watanabe (for year-long study in Japan), Boren (for intensive language study of a critical need language) and more.

Click here for additional information

RSVP for this event

Location Information

The information session will take place via Zoom. Once registered you will receive a link to the session. 

Contact Information

For information about this and other fellowships, email [email protected] .

academic careercenter cuse fellowships international studyabroad

This event was added to the calendar by Brenda Tooley ( tooleyb@gvsu.edu ) on Thursday, August 22, 2024 and was last updated on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 8:26 a.m.

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These 8 senators each made more than $100,000 last year from writing books

• Writing books continues to be lucrative for senators with national profiles.
• In 2023, eight senators made more than $100,000 in royalties, according to financial disclosures.
• That includes Democrats like Raphael Warnock and Republicans like Ted Cruz.

If you're an ambitious member of Congress with a national profile, there's a tried and true way to make some extra money: write a book.

According to recently filed financial disclosures, 8 sitting US senators made more than $100,000 in extra income — on top of the $174,000 annual salary they each receive — from book royalties in 2023.

It's an ongoing trend. Last year, six senators made more than their annual salary in book royalties.

That includes both Democrats and Republicans, each of whom have cashed in on a mixture of personal biographies, policy blueprints, and political manifestos that they've published in recent years.

Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia

Raphael Warnock, the first-term Democratic senator from Georgia, made more than $460,000 in book royalties last year.

That's on top of more than $655,000 in 2022 and nearly $244,000 in 2021. Altogether, Warnock has made more than $1.3 million from selling books since he was elected to the Senate.

According to a disclosure that Warnock filed last year, covering the year 2022, the senator even went on a book tour for his 2022 memoir, "A Way Out of No Way," in June and July of that year amid his competitive reelection fight against Republican Herschel Walker.

In his most recent disclosure, Warnock indicated that he had signed a new agreement with Penguin Random House in June 2023 to write two more books, entitled "We're All In This Together 1" and "We're All In This Together 2."

There's little public information about those forthcoming books, including when they're set to be released, and a Warnock spokesperson did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas

Ted Cruz, the Texas senator and 2016 GOP presidential candidate known for hosting a thrice-weekly podcast , earned $390,000 last year from book royalties.

But that's just one portion of a much larger windfall that Cruz is set to receive for his book writing.

In January 2022, Cruz signed an agreement with the the right-leaning Regnery Publishing to write two books for a grand total of $1.1 million, to be paid out in four installments. In total, Cruz has disclosed receiving $890,000 of that sum so far.

Those books include "Justice Corrupted: How the Left Weaponized Our Legal System," published in 2022, as well as his 2023 book "Unwoke: How to Defeat Culture Marxism in America."

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas

In 2022, Cotton published his second book, " Only the Strong: Reversing the Left's Plot to Sabotage American Power." Since then, he's received a total of $600,000 in book royalties — $300,000 in both 2022 and 2023.

But while most senators appear to receive their book royalties directly, Cotton does it differently. He has established a limited liability company called TBC Books (Cotton's full name is " Thomas Bryant Cotton") that holds his royalty earnings. Then, he draws money from that entity as he sees fit.

In 2023, he withdrew $100,000. In 2022, he withdrew $73,537.

It's not clear why Cotton uses an LLC rather than receiving the royalties directly, and a spokesperson did not return Business Insider's request for comment.

Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama

Britt, the freshman Alabama senator best known for her 2024 State of the Union response , earned $233,750 in book royalties last year for her 2023 memoir, " God Calls Us to Do Hard Things: Lessons from the Alabama Wiregrass."

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky

Paul, the staunchly libertarian Kentucky senator and 2016 GOP presidential candidate, earned $185,000 last year in book royalties for his 2023 book, " Deception: The Great Covid Cover-Up."

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont

Sanders, the independent socialist Vermont senator and two-time Democratic presidential candidate, earned $148,750 in royalties last year from Penguin Random House.

The Vermont senator has published several books, the most recent of which is "It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism." In 2022, he earned enough in book royalties to essentially double his Senate salary .

"I wrote a best-selling book," Sanders memorably told the New York Times in 2019 . "If you write a best-selling book, you can be a millionaire, too."

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri

Hawley earned $127,500 in book royalties in 2023, according to his most recent financial disclosure.

That's likely a windfall from his 2023 book "Manhood," which argues in part that the political left is waging an assault on traditional masculinity.

But Hawley has another book on the way, as Business Insider first reported in May .

In October 2023, the Missouri senator signed an agreement with Regnery Publishing to write a book entitled " The Awakenings: The Religious Revivals that Made America — and Why We Need Another One."

It is unclear when that book will be published, but a manuscript is due in January 2025, according to Regnery.

In 2021, Hawley made $467,000 in book royalties.

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia

Kaine, the Virginia senator and 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee, earned $114,000 in book royalties last year for his memoir, " Walk, Ride, Paddle: A Life Outside."

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Guest Essay

My Son and Gus Walz Deserve a Champion Like Tim Walz

By Tina Brown

Ms. Brown is the author, most recently, of “The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor — the Truth and the Turmoil."

The sight at the Democratic convention on Wednesday night of Tim Walz’s 17-year-old son leaping to his feet, with streaming eyes, a hand to his chest with a cry of “That’s my Dad” was heart piercing.

As the mother of Georgie, a 38-year-old on the spectrum who still lives with me, I recognized him immediately as one of “ours,” a sweet, unfiltered, slightly bewildered-looking young man who wasn’t quite sure what was expected of him in this epic moment of political adulation.

Gus Walz has, according to his parents, a nonverbal learning disorder, A.D.H.D. and an anxiety disorder, all of which they regard not as a setback but as his “secret power,” that makes him “brilliant” and “hyperaware.”

I know exactly what they mean. One of the joys of my life in the social churn of New York is living with a son whose inability to read the room makes him incapable of telling anything but the truth. Once, as my husband, Harry Evans, and I left a pretentious social gathering in the Hamptons, Georgie told the host sunnily: “Thank you very much. No one spoke to me really, so it was a very boring evening. The food was OK. I doubt I will come again.”

“I have never been prouder of you in my life!” shouted my husband in the car. How many times have all of us wanted to say that as we gushed about the fabulous time we just hadn’t had? Then there was the moment he went up to Anna Wintour at one of my book parties and asked if she was Camilla Parker Bowles. And the time at the intake meeting for a supported work program, when the therapist asked Georgie, “Has anyone ever molested you?” “Unfortunately not,” he replied. Georgie teaches me every day how much we depend on social lies to make the world go round. His sister — his forever best friend — and I feel so lucky to have him in our lives. So did his dad, who died in 2020.

And yet for people who are different and have no support, the world can be bleak. Their loneliness can be agonizing. Some people assume the school days are the hardest, but it’s the years after that are the social desert. Having a friendly, forgiving workplace to go to is critical. It’s often their only taste of community and what makes them such reliable and rewarding employees. The work from home movement has been a killer for people with special needs, often depriving them of the only social connections they have.

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