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Brainstorming
Brainstorming
The Key to Successful Essay Writing
Adapted from http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/brainstorming.html
Brainstorming
What is it?
Why do we need it?
A gatheringgathering of ideas from your brain onto paper. The variety variety of ideas and the use of your
imaginationimagination assist you in producing a lot of material with which to work.
It’s the best way to collect your thoughts. It’s helpful for organization. It ensures only quality ideas are used in the essay.
Ground Rules
• Avoid subtle evaluations– How is it going to do …– Isn't this violating the rules– That is an excellent idea– How is this different than that idea– No boundaries– Completely free your mind– No limits on the number of ideas– Fragmented ideas………… OK– Just keywords……….. OK
BrainstormingBrainstorming
References© 2001 by Ruth Luman
Getting Ideas Before You WriteGetting Ideas Before You Write
ClusteringClustering
BrainstormingBrainstorming
ListingListing FreewritingFreewriting
Three Activities
BrainstormingBrainstormingListing
Why I Want to Become a Nurse
Like science
Like problem solving
Many jobs available in nursing
Good salary
Like working in a hospital
Want to help other people
Challenging job
Opportunities for promotion
Interested in study of diseases
Interested in serving humanity
Flexible hours
Will always learn something new
ClusteringClustering
ListingListing
FreewritingFreewriting
IntroductionIntroductionGetting Started
“Writer’s block” is a commonproblem to many students. This iswhen ideas for writing do not comevery easily. It is easy to get veryfrustrated when beginning to write.Brainstorming activities can helpyou get ideas for your essay andhelp you become less frustrated.
Brainstorming TechniqueFreewriting 4-1-4
What is it?
There is no specific topic. You have to write whatever comes into your mind.
Once you have started writing, just go on; write, write and write without stopping your pens for 4 minutes. Freewriting is like talking to yourself on paper. Write as much as you can in connected sentences (not lists). Write as quickly as you can without stopping to think about grammar or organization
Brainstorming TechniqueNumber One
FreewritingOptions:Write for a specific time periodWrite for a specific amount of paper
Number One
FreewritingWhen is it helpful?When you have NO ideas about a topicWhen you have TOO MANY ideas about a topic
Maybe I could say this or maybe I
could say that… hmmm
??????
Brainstorming Technique
Number Two
Making a Cube
What is it? Imagine a cube. It has six sides. On each side, you have a different task regarding the topic.
Brainstorming Technique
Brainstorming TechniqueNumber Two
Making a Cube
Describe
Side One: Describe the topic.
Side Two: Compare the topic.
Side Three: Associate the topic.
Side Four: Analyze the topic.
Side Five: Apply the topic.
Side Six: Argue for or against the topic.
CompareAssociateAnalyzeApplyArgue
Brainstorming Technique Number Three
ClusteringWhat is it?When you write down words or concepts associated with the topic – any ideas that come into your mind
ClusteringClusteringExample
My Mother
Liked SportsVery Religious
A LeaderIntelligent
Hard Worker
Housewife
Waitress
Cleaned Houses
Read many books
Had many different interests
Went to church
Taught Sunday School
Gave to charity
After-School Club Coordinator
President of PTA
Volleyball Soccer
ClusteringClustering
ListingListing
FreewritingFreewriting
Brainstorming TechniqueNumber Four
Listing or BulletingWhat is it?Create a list of terms/ideas/concepts about the topic. Create multiple lists depending on the purpose.
Global Warming
Toxic fumes
SUVs/Cars
Extinction
Belief/Disbelief
Kyoto Agreement
Belief/Disbelief
Scientists disagree
Average American
China/USA
Normal occurrence or abnormal event?
Brainstorming Technique Number Five
Venn DiagramWhat is it?Draw two circles that connect, like this:List two topics above the circles.Brainstorm about the topics – what do they have in common and what is unique about each one.
Cities
Eiffel Tower
Capital
Became Paris in 400 A.D.
francophone
County seat
Anglophone
Founded in 1839
Brainstorming TechniqueNumber Five
Venn DiagramWhen is it used?When you are writing a comparison or contrast essay.
Cities
Eiffel Tower
Capital
Became Paris in 400 A.D.
francophone
County seat
anglophone
Founded in 1839
Brainstorming Technique Number Six
Tree DiagramWhat is it?This diagram has a central idea to which you add branches that focus on details.
Number Six
Tree DiagramWhen do you use it?This type of diagram is helpful in classification essays.
Media
Print VisualAudio
Newspaper magazine booklettelevision webpage movie
cd mp3 cassette
Brainstorming Technique
Brainstorming Technique Number Seven
Act like a JournalistWhat is it?Using the question words in English to explore the topic.
Who?
What?
When? Where?
Why?
How?
Brainstorming TechniqueNumber Seven
Act like a JournalistWhen is it useful?Use this technique when you want to write a narrative.
Who?
When?
What?
Where?
Why?
How?
Brainstorming Technique Number Eight
T-DiagramWhat is it?Using a T shape, list a category that you want to compare or contrast about a specific topic or topics. Do this for a variety of categories.
Paris, France and Paris Texas
location
Europe
Northern France
North America
Northern Texas
Brainstorming TechniqueNumber Eight
T-DiagramWhen is it useful?This technique helps when you are writing a contrast or comparison essay.
Paris, France and Paris Texaslocation
Europe
Northern France
North America
Northern Texas
Brainstorming Technique Number Nine
Spoke DiagramWhat is it?Write the topic in a circle. Then think of about causes and effects. Write these around the circle like spokes on a wheel.
Global Warming
too many people
cars/suvs not recycling chopping down trees
Crazy weather
loss of polar ice caps
dying animals
Brainstorming TechniqueNumber Nine
Spoke DiagramWhen is it useful?Use this technique when you want to explore cause and effect.
too many people
cars/suvs not recycling chopping down trees
Global Warming
Crazy weather
loss of polar ice caps
dying animals
Brainstorming
In your class and assignments, you will need to show evidence of the
brainstorming technique that you used to begin the essay process.
It’s part of your grade because it’s important!
Remember to ask for help or clarification if you need it.