This document provides guidance on brainstorming and outlining techniques for writing an MLA short essay. It discusses freewriting and idea mapping as brainstorming methods, and recommends generating ideas without editing to develop topics. Outlining involves dissecting the thesis into main points and subpoints, then organizing these thoughts coherently with a numeric or alphabetical system. An example thesis is provided to demonstrate creating an outline.

1. Brainstorming and Outlining
Week Five

2. Brainstorming: Freewriting
 When you begin writing and write non-stop (usually 5-10 minutes) without
worrying about structure, grammar, or correctness
 The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible without stopping to edit your work
 If you cannot think of anything to write, try writing the topic or thesis again and again

3. Freewriting exercise
 Consider your claim for MLA short essay. Write it at the top of a blank page.
 When your instructor says begin, write for 5 minutes without stopping

4. Brainstorming: Idea Mapping
 Draw a circle in the middle of the page
 In the circle write a trigger idea (a broad topic)
 The trigger word should be connected to your thesis
 Record ideas about this idea on branches and subbranches

5. Idea Mapping Exercise
 Create an idea map using your MLA topic
 Use a trigger idea and branch from there

6. Creating an Outline
 Dissect your thesis
 Understand your main points
 Understand the sub-points and evidence for each main point
 Organize these thoughts consecutively or coherently
 Outline the body first
 Use a numeral and/or alphabetical organization tactic
 Color coding often helps

7. Let’s create an outline using this thesis:
 Katrina Van Tassel, from the short story The Legend of Sleepy
Hollow by Washington Irving, represented the ornamental
role female characters played in early American literature
because she was only discussed in terms of monetary worth,
beauty, and coyness.