This document provides a 4-step process for generating ideas for writing assignments: 1. Identify a theme or concept from the class material or writing prompt. Write this as the top of the page. 2. Derive a driving question from the prompt or theme to focus the writing. 3. Generate possible answers to the question by making inferences and listing ideas without judging quality yet. 4. Find evidence from the source text to support each idea, keeping those without evidence for further brainstorming. The best supported ideas will form the basis for the written assignment.

1. Thinking to Writing: How to Generate Ideas1
Step 1: Begin with significance (pickingouta theme)
A) Identifythe themes/conceptsthatyouaddressedinclassoraddressedinthe promptforyour
final assignmentof the year
B) Picka passage from the textthat comesto mind,anypassage thatstands out(rememberit
standsout fora reason).
C) Nowtry to finda theme/conceptfrom onthat may be relevanttothat passage
English:
9th
grade:you will likelyfocusona conceptyou’ve discussedinclassthatyou’re most
comfortable with
10th
grade: themesyouhave identifiedanddiscussedinclass
11th
grade: close readingelement
D) Write the theme at the top of the page
Step 2: Write a drivingquestion
A) Derive adrivingquestionfromthe promptoryour assignment.
B) If you have a specificprompt,re-writethatpromptasa question butfocusingonthe
theme/conceptyouidentified.
Step 3: Write possible answersto your question
A) Your possible answerscanturninto potential claims
B) Make sure your answersare inferences—thatisopinionsabout
detail/theme/character/structure,etc.
C) Make a longlist,mindmap,or do a focusedfree write.DONOTworryabout whatis goodor bad
yet. The backspace keyis yourenemy (like the idea-crushingpanda).
1
Or: A Crash Course onWhy Your Brain IsNot a Barren Field

2. Step 4: Gatheringthe evidence
It’snot time to delete anyideasyet.Let’sfirstgathersome evidence fromthatpassage andsee what
youcome upwith.
A) For eachbulletpointorinference thatyoumade,findevidenceinthe passage
B) Anybulletpointsorinferencesforwhichyoucan’tfind evidence stayinthe brainstorming,
meaningidea-Pandacanhave themfordinnerif he wants
C) Bestevidence are the bulletpointsyouwill use tothenbuildaplanforyouressay/writing
assignment.Thisdependsonthe length:
a. Freshmen:1paragraph shouldhave 1 to 2 bulletpointswhichbecome yoursupporting
pointsforthe topic sentence
b. Sophomores:around5 paragraphs,youwant 3-4 bulletpointswithsupportingevidence
that will formthe basisforyourbody paragraphs.
c. Juniors:multiple paragraphs:4-6bulletpointswiththe bestevidence
So how do I get to a cohesive answerto my drivingquestion(i.e.the thesis)?
Findthe connectionbetweenyourbulletpointsandevidence.Theyshouldbe relatedtothe theme.
That will become yourthesis.
What ifit’s an in-classassignment?
Practice thisprocessat home.The goal isto internalizeit(rememberplasticityandhow ourbrain learns
throughpractice?Yup, that’sit).