1. How-to Brainstorm
1. Start with the framework of the prompt (outline of paragraphs)
2. Select a brainstorming option: outline, list, chart, T-Chart, web, bullets,
table.
3. Follow the topic of the paragraph while jotting notes.
4. Move notes/ides if they belong elsewhere.
Example:
Have you ever made somebody happy – or given someone a surprise?
Tell a story about a time when your actions had a positive effect on
someone else.
(You do not start brainstorming until you have approached the prompt
head-on. See suggestions)
From the suggestions, I got these paragraphs and then I brainstormed the
interior of the paragraphs:
I. Intro
a. a surprise
b. who, when , where
c. give the reader the ending scene of the look of surprise on her face
II. Planning the Surprise
a. why I decided to surprise her: make things exciting
b. she likes it when I show-up places unexpected instead of flowers
and chocolates, etc.
III. The Actual Surprise
a. arriving in the parking lot
b. hangout in lobby (she was busy making coffees)
c. then seeing her surprised as she sees me and does a double take
IV. The Positive Effects
a. now she wonders if I’ll show-up unannounced
b. she surprised me
c. happiness
V. Conclusion
a. how it made me feel to make her feel good
b. the next plan to see if I can get that surprised face back
2. 1. If you were asked to name three things
that are important to you that money
cannot buy, what three things would you
name? Do you think anyone has ever tried
to buy any of these things anyway?
2. Has anyone ever been jealous of you?
Tell a true story about what that person
was jealous about? How did it make you
feel?
3. Imagine you are stranded on an island
with one person. If you could choose that
one person, who would it be?
