Strategy 2

Use a timer for each segment of this exercise.

• One minute: For one minute, focus on the sense of sight. Make a list of everything you can see from where you are. Do not move from your position.
• One minute: Shift to the sense of hearing. Make a list of everything you hear. It is better not to identify the sound (an air conditioner); instead just describe it (a low hum).
• 30 seconds: Shift to the sense of smell. Make a list of everything you smell or any sensations in your nose, such as dryness or dustiness, or tickling.
• 30 seconds: Shift to the sense of taste. Make a list of everything you can taste or any sensations in your mouth.
• One minute: Shift to the sense of touch. Make a list of any tactile sensations you are experiencing: the feeling of your clothing against your skin, the hardness or softness of your chair, a breeze, humidity, etc.

Now look at your lists. You gathered all this information in only four minutes of focused observation!

Strategy 3

The object of this exercise is to explore the connotations of words. Words are not interchangeable. For example, if I say I am going to wear a hat to class tomorrow, you may have many different ideas of what will be on my head when I walk through the door. But if I say I am going to wear a cap to class, you have a clearer idea, and you also assume that I am not going to be formally dressed because a cap is an informal piece of headgear. However, if I say I am going to wear a chapeau (French word for hat), you might get the impression I’m going to show up in something with flowers and netting or maybe a broad, sloping brim. You get the idea.

• Set your timer for 3 minutes.
• Go through your lists and try to choose different nouns or phrases to describe the same observations. Don’t worry if you can’t think of an alternative for every observation. If you get stuck, move on.
• When you are finished, notice how the different choices may have different tones or feelings.

Strategy 4

The object of this exercise is to play as much as possible with comparisons. I don’t care how far you have to stretch the comparison; as long as there is any kind of connection, it’s great. Just let yourself play.

Your job is to fill in the blanks with as many comparisons as you can think of. Give yourself one minute for each sentence.

Example: How is a piece of pizza like a piece of chalk?

Answers: Both come in boxes with other, similarly shaped pieces.
                Both come in different colors and shapes.
                Both can stain your clothes.
                You can write a message with either of them (although the pizza might be messy—but it can be done!).

OK, here are your sentences. Remember, one minute each.

• How is a shirt like a picture?
• How is concrete like chocolate?
• How is an elephant like a cloud?