university of north carolina - asheville
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There are several strategies you can use to generate ideas for your writing. Because people vary in learning styles, you might want to try a few, or even all of them, to see what gets your ideas churning.
Listing: Write your topic at the top of a piece of paper, or read over your assignment. Now, quickly, without stopping to think, list everything that comes to mind. Fill as much of the paper as you can. Next, go over your list. Which words stimulate ideas you can write about? Which connect with one another? Can one function as your central theme?
Freewriting: Not quite so orderly as the lists--great for kickstarting the thought process and overcoming writer's block. Again, write your topic at the top of the paper or look over your assignment. Put pen or pencil to paper, and--write. Do not stop. Do not correct your grammar or spelling. Just keep on writing until you can't any more. Now look it over. What kind of IDEAS (not beautiful sentences, coherent paragraphs, etc) do you have. Which make you want to explore more? Take one or two of these ideas, and start the process again. As you develop your ideas, be alert for how they might connect to each other or form a theme that can become a thesis.
Cubing: This one is good if you work well with outlines and structure and like to go one step at a time. Like a cube, it lets you see an idea from six sides. Write your topic at the top of the page or review your assignment, then respond to these six commands:
1. Describe it.
2. Compare it.
3. Associate it.
(What other ideas/facts/circumstances does your topic connect to?)
4. Analyze it.
5. Apply it.
6. Agrue for or against it.
When you are done, look for patterns, themes and new ideas. See if they can be pulled together for a thesis.
Similes: Another way to get ideas flowing. Write the following sentence: __________________ is/was/are/were like __________________. Put one of your central ideas or terms in the first blank. In the second, list as many answers as you can think of. What patterns, new ideas and associations do you see?
Journalist's questions: When people write articles, they have to answer six basic questions. Write your topic at the top of a piece of paper, then answer these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Which questions give you the best answers? Use this information to help direct your research, create your thesis, or shape your paper.
Cluster/Mind Map/Web: It's not just for second grade any more. Basically, write your topic or main idea in the center of a piece of paper or on one of our white boards. Circle it (or make a square, or a triangle, or....) Free associate and write ideas all over the page, then connect them. For a visual of this highly visual technique, see our sample web on the wall.
Index cards: Write down main points and supporting evidence on our index cards. You can use different colors to help keep you organized. Move the cards around to see how your ideas flow together. Do you need all the points? Do you need more evidence? Does your thesis fall apart when evidence is laid out in front of you? This technique can help you organize and refine your ideas.
Here in the writing center, we also have supplies you can use as you see fit as you brainstorm.
People who prefer hands-on experiences might want to try building ideas with our Legos, Tinker Toys, or wooden blocks.
Need to talk things out, but a tutor isn't available yet? You can use our cassette recorder and keep the tape. Or talk to one of our stuffed animals. The stuffed animals can also talk to one another, great for perfecting an agrument.
Prefer the more traditional methods? We have handbooks on the shelves at the back of the room; help yourself.
This handout was created with the help of: www.swc.utexas.edu/samples/writingprocess/brainstorm.shtml and www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/brainstorming.html
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