Observe
Observing means 'collecting material to think from, and to think with': it is the first necessary step for readers, watchers and listeners.Â
Observing means 'collecting material to think from, and to think with': it is the first necessary step for readers, watchers and listeners.Â
With written texts, it means Close Reading: paying attention to what is said and how (by whom, to whom, when, where); to what happens (how, by whom, to whom, when, where); to what is described (how, in which context, by whom).
With written texts, it means Close Reading: paying attention to what is said and how (by whom, to whom, when, where); to what happens (how, by whom, to whom, when, where); to what is described (how, in which context, by whom).
It means paying attention to the details, the nuances, picking out differences, recurring words or images (= motifs).
It means paying attention to the details, the nuances, picking out differences, recurring words or images (= motifs).
This Observing phase is crucial: without it, readers will skim the surface and rush to a judgement without having considered alternatives - without having considered other interpretations.
This Observing phase is crucial: without it, readers will skim the surface and rush to a judgement without having considered alternatives - without having considered other interpretations.
That also means that during the Observation phase, readers should remain objective and refrain from interpreting what they observe; you must also make sure they do not evaluate the text immediately - readers must take time to observe before going on to interpret, and they must take time to interpret before they evaluate.
That also means that during the Observation phase, readers should remain objective and refrain from interpreting what they observe; you must also make sure they do not evaluate the text immediately - readers must take time to observe before going on to interpret, and they must take time to interpret before they evaluate.
As close reading (i.e. good observing) requires focus, it is often best to start with short texts, especially with non-experienced readers who may find it difficult to sustain focused attention for a long time.
As close reading (i.e. good observing) requires focus, it is often best to start with short texts, especially with non-experienced readers who may find it difficult to sustain focused attention for a long time.
Let's try our hand at observing with the short short-story 'Sentry', by Fredric Brown: what do we see? What is there in the text? Which information are we given, in what way, by whom?
Let's try our hand at observing with the short short-story 'Sentry', by Fredric Brown: what do we see? What is there in the text? Which information are we given, in what way, by whom?