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.