The document provides guidance on brainstorming techniques to help overcome writer's block and generate ideas for writing. It describes two brainstorming activities: clustering and listing. Clustering involves writing the main topic in the center and connecting related sub-topics with arrows. Listing involves freely writing down as many ideas as possible related to the main topic without worrying about structure or grammar. Examples of each technique are provided to illustrate how they can be applied.

1. Brainstorming References © 2001 by Ruth Luman Getting Ideas Before You Write

2. “ 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

3. Clustering Brainstorming Listing Two Activities

4. Clustering Brainstorming Clustering 1. Start with the main topic of your essay. Write that word in the center of your paper. 2. Write down any sub-topics that are connected to that main topic. Draw arrows to the sub-topics from the main topic. Listing Freewriting San Francisco Chinatown Fisherman’s Wharf Golden Gate Bridge Alcatraz Museums Transportation

5. Clustering Brainstorming Clustering 3. If you have new ideas, connect those words to the appropriate sub-topic. Listing Freewriting San Francisco Chinatown Fisherman’s Wharf Alcatraz Museums Transportation Golden Gate Bridge American Legion Modern Art Museum Asian Art Museum Clam Chowder Ships boats Cable Car Bus BART Restaurants Stores Theaters Old Military Prison Civilian Prison 1934-1963 Famous Prisoners Completed 1937 Scenic View

6. Clustering Clustering Example #1 Listing Freewriting Favorite Room Quiet Bedroom Big Closet Comfortable Furniture Windows Sunny View of Sky View of Trees Soft Bed Rocking Chair Yellow Good-Sized

7. Clustering Clustering Example #2 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

8. Clustering Brainstorming Listing 1. Start with the main topic of your essay. Write that word or words at the top of your paper. Why I Want to Become a Nurse Listing Freewriting 2. Write down any word or phrase that might relate to your main topic underneath. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar. Your goal is to write down as many ideas as quickly as possible.

9. 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 study of human body Flexible hours Will always learn something new Listing Freewriting

10. Clustering Listing Example #1 How to be a Successful Language Learner Practice speaking with others Take classes Guess at the meanings of words Listen to radio or TV Observe others Set reasonable goals Don’t be afraid to experiment Study vocabulary in related topics Ask others to correct you Look for patterns in your errors Organize your study time Use special techniques to remember new words Ask for help when you don’t understand Review material regularly Use a dictionary Choose a good textbook Listing Freewriting

11. Clustering Listing Example #2 Cambodia Major Cities: Battambang, Phnom Penh Angkor Wat Borders Vietnam, Laos, Thailand Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers Once a French colony Tuol Sleng Prison Agriculture: rice, rubber, fish, timber Cambodian writing: originally from India Artful dances Theravada Buddhism King Sihanouk Pol Pot/Khmer Rouge Weather: hot and rainy Minority Groups: Cham, Pear, Brao Land mines Education Listing Freewriting