The document provides information about brainstorming techniques that can help generate ideas before writing. It discusses that brainstorming involves generating ideas in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment. Specific brainstorming methods are outlined, including clustering where main topics and subtopics are visually mapped out, listing where ideas are quickly written without filtering, and freewriting where one continuously writes about a topic without pausing. These techniques can help overcome writer's block by stimulating new perspectives and ideas for an essay.

1. BRAINSTORMING
Getting Ideas Before You Write

2. What is brainstorming
“The best way how to have a good idea is to
have many ideas”
 means of generating ideas.
 can be used to identify alternatives, obtain a
complete list of items and to solve problems.

3. HOW DOES IT WORK
 in a group of people
 free associations to the topic given
 relaxed and friendly atmosphere
 deferred judgements – release the human mind,
lateral thinking

4. WHY DO WE NEED IT?
BRAINSTORMING CAN:
 It’s the best way to collect your thoughts.
generate new ways of thinking.
facilitate team building.
encourage team problem solving.

5. BENEFITS OF BRAINSTORMING
WIDER PICTURE
FUN QUICK
CHEAP TEAM BUILDING
GREATER ACCEPTANCE

6. BRAINSTORMING CONSTRAINTS
 does not rank the ideas
 cannot help you select the important ones
 does not suggest the best solutions
 must be amended by other
methods

7. Getting Started
“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.

8. Brainstorming
Three Activities
 Clustering
 Listing
 Freewriting

9. Brainstorming
 Clustering
Listing
Freewriting 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.
Transportation
Alcatraz Museums
San Francisco
Chinatown Golden Gate
Bridge
Fisherman’s
Wharf

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

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

12. Brainstorming
Clustering
 Listing
Freewriting Listing
1. Start with the main topic of your essay. Write that word or
words at the top of your paper.
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.
Why I Want to Become a Nurse

13. Brainstorming
Clustering
 Listing
Freewriting Listing
Why I Want to Become a Nurse
Like science Challenging job
Like problem solving Opportunities for promotion
Many jobs available in nursing Interested in study of diseases
Good salary Interested in study of human
Like working in a hospital body
Want to help other people Flexible hours
Will always learn something new

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

15. Brainstorming
Clustering
Listing
 Freewriting
Freewriting
1. Start with the main topic of your essay. Write that word or
words at the top of your paper.
2. Freewriting is like talking to yourself on paper. Write as
much as you can in connected sentences (not lists) about
your topic. Write as quickly as you can without stopping to
think about grammar or organization.

16. Thank
You