Generating Ideas: Brainstorming Using Freewriting and Listing

1. Freewriting is a way of generating ideas whereby you write freely about a topic. The purpose is to have one idea lead you to another. Concentrate on writing as much as possible without worrying about correctness, organization, logic, or spelling.

Freewrite on one of these topics:

• the weather
• the economy
• education
• work
• friends
• fashion
• shopping
• nutrition/dieting
• the future

When you have written without stopping for 10 to 15 minutes, look back at what you have written and see if you can spot a developing trend or area or speacial interest. Try freewriting or listing everything you know on this narrower topic.

2. Listing is similar to freewriting, but rather than writing sentences, you make a list of ideas using single words or short phrases. Select one of the topics below and list everything you know or would like to know about it.

• free trade
• the fur industry
• the future of the Ainu
• political correctness
• poverty in Japan
• pollution in Shizuoka city (or your home town)
• AIDs and young people
• immigration
• family history
• global warming
• political reform
• educational reform
• the elderly

When you finish listing, have another student look at your work and ask questions. Try to find an opinion in what you have written. Use it as the start of an essay.

3. Here is another listing exercise.Write down one of the following topics at the top of your page.

• How to be a good language learner.
• How television is a learning tool.
• The characteristics of a good teacher.
• My favourite leisure time activity
• Tourist attractions in Shizuoka.
• A dream day.
• Another similar topic.

1. List idea that comes into your mind about that topic.
2. Include examples and supporting ideas.
3. Keep the ideas flowing -- don't worry about going off topic.
4. Circle the main ideas.
5. Cross out ideas that do not apply.
6. Rewrite the list, grouping similar ideas.

Outlining

1. Choose two ideas for your paragraph.
2. Give the paragraph a title.
3. Write a topic sentence.
4. Write down some supporting ideas or examples.
5. Write it out using transition signals to help it flow together as a paragraph.

4. Choose one of the compare/contrast ideas below and list similarities and differences. Divide the screen side-to-side or top-to-bottom, or use two separate documents.

• university and junior college
• your parents and yourself
• women at work in the 21st century and women at work in the fifties
• baseball and soccer
• summer and winter in Shizuoka
• summer Olympics and winter Olympics

When you have finished, look at your lists and decide whether you have more of a basis for a comparison essay or a contrast essay. What might your thesis be?

5. Tell a story. Select from the possibilities below, if you do not have a story in mind already.

• A story your mother always tells you
• A paranormal experience
• Describe how you got the worst scar on your body
• Tell of an event that changed the way you think about something.
• What was the best/worst experience of your life?
• Did you ever have a peripheral connection to a major world event? For example, serving as a volunteer at an international conference.