Question bank: Developing Writing: Observation Records

Imagine you are a scientist and you are exploring a very different place, like a park or a garden. Choose an animal, a plant, or a special place that you discovered in this space. Now, I want you to describe this animal, plant, or place, using your own words. Tell how it looks, what makes it interesting, and why you think it is important for nature. Remember to use complete sentences and pay attention to the spelling of words.

While observing the sky during a science class, João noticed that the clouds were moving from side to side while the stars seemed to stay in the same place. Wanting to describe his observations in a coherent way, he decided to write a short text. Considering the importance of recording observations in a logical and clear manner, what would be the first step for João to describe his observed phenomenon in an organized and understandable way? He should:

Imagine that you are a detective and found a mystery in nature, ants are stealing seeds from the school garden and you want to find out why. To do this, you decided to observe the ants and take notes on what they are doing. Write a short text telling what you observed about the ants and what is your hypothesis for the reason they are taking the seeds. Remember to use the words you learned about ants and seeds during Science and Portuguese classes.

When we observe something interesting, we can write about what we saw to tell our friends or to remember in the future. For example, if you saw a beautiful rainbow in the sky, how would you describe this observation in text? Describe the rainbow, the colors, and what else caught your attention, using the words you know. Remember that a good text has a beginning, middle, and end.

When we observe the world around us, we notice details that often go unnoticed in our fast-paced daily lives. The ability to record these observations is an essential skill for the development of reflective and critical writing. Consider the following excerpt: 'The park was full of sounds and colors. Children ran among the flower beds, while birds sang melodies that competed with the laughter of the visitors.' Using this context, explain how the careful recording of observations contributes to the construction of texts rich in details and what is the importance of these details in conveying sensations and experiences to readers.