Brainstorming techniques
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The document discusses various brainstorming techniques that can be used to generate ideas for essays. It describes 9 different techniques: freewriting, making a cube, clustering, listing/bulleting, Venn diagram, tree diagram, acting like a journalist, T-diagram, and spoke diagram. Each technique is explained, with examples provided. The document advises using brainstorming techniques to overcome writer's block and organize thoughts before writing an essay.
Brainstorming techniques
- 2. Brainstorming The Key to Successful Essay Writing Adapted from http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/brainstorming.html
- 3. Brainstorming What is it? Why do we need it? A gathering of ideas from your brain onto paper. The variety of ideas and the use of your imagination 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.
- 4. 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
- 5. Brainstorming References © 2001 by Ruth Luman Getting Ideas Before You Write
- 7. Clustering Brainstorming Listing Freewriting Three Activities
- 8. Clustering Brainstorming Listing 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 Listing Freewriting
- 9. “ Writer’s block” is a common problem to many students. This is when ideas for writing do not come very easily. It is easy to get very frustrated when beginning to write. Brainstorming activities can help you get ideas for your essay and help you become less frustrated. Introduction Getting Started
- 10. Brainstorming Technique Freewriting 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
- 11. Brainstorming Technique Number One Freewriting Options: Write for a specific time period Write for a specific amount of paper
- 12. Number One Freewriting When is it helpful? When you have NO ideas about a topic When you have TOO MANY ideas about a topic Brainstorming Technique Maybe I could say this or maybe I could say that… hmmm ??????
- 13. 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
- 14. Brainstorming Technique Number 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. Compare Associate Analyze Apply Argue
- 15. Brainstorming Technique Number Three Clustering What is it? When you write down words or concepts associated with the topic – any ideas that come into your mind
- 16. Clustering Clustering Example Listing Freewriting My Mother Liked Sports Very Religious A Leader Intelligent 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
- 17. Brainstorming Technique Number Four Listing or Bulleting What 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?
- 18. Brainstorming Technique Number Five Venn Diagram What 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. Paris, France Paris, Texas Cities Eiffel Tower Capital Became Paris in 400 A.D. francophone County seat Anglophone Founded in 1839
- 19. Brainstorming Technique Number Five Venn Diagram When is it used? When you are writing a comparison or contrast essay. Paris, France Paris, Texas Cities Eiffel Tower Capital Became Paris in 400 A.D. francophone County seat anglophone Founded in 1839
- 20. Brainstorming Technique Number Six Tree Diagram What is it? This diagram has a central idea to which you add branches that focus on details.
- 21. Number Six Tree Diagram When do you use it? This type of diagram is helpful in classification essays. Media Print Visual Audio Newspaper magazine booklet television webpage movie cd mp3 cassette Brainstorming Technique
- 22. Brainstorming Technique Number Seven Act like a Journalist What is it? Using the question words in English to explore the topic. Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
- 23. Brainstorming Technique Number Seven Act like a Journalist When is it useful? Use this technique when you want to write a narrative. Who? When? What? Where? Why? How?
- 24. Brainstorming Technique Number Eight T-Diagram What 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
- 25. Brainstorming Technique Number Eight T-Diagram When is it useful? This technique helps when you are writing a contrast or comparison essay. Paris, France and Paris Texas location Europe Northern France North America Northern Texas
- 26. Brainstorming Technique Number Nine Spoke Diagram What 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. too many people cars/suvs not recycling chopping down trees Global Warming Crazy weather loss of polar ice caps dying animals
- 27. Brainstorming Technique Number Nine Spoke Diagram When 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
- 28. 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.