Observation is a vital skill to have when gathering news. Observation allows the writer to accurately describe what is happening and even provide a different viewpoint. 

Photos provide the reader with visual image of what is happening, but that photo only captures one moment in time. Using careful observation, a journalist can describe an event, often in more detail, than one picture can. The journalist can cover the entire event while the photo is left with one moment in time. The photo has the ability to use colors to describe what is happening, but a writer does not. That is were observation becomes even more important. The writer relies on words to paint a mental picture for the reader, and a writer cannot describe something they have not seen.

Observation is also important when describing something. As I learned in an observation assignment, there is a big difference between saying a friend’s SUV and saying Pete’s Silver GMC Envoy. With careful, detailed observation included, the reader is not left to imagine what is going on. While in some cases imagination is great,when it comes to newsgathering, observation is king.

Writing based on observation brings life to a story. Like I said earlier, the writer paints with the words, so instead of bombarding a reader with facts and quotes, observation brings a sense of realism to the story. That connects the reader to the events and scenes in the world.