Brainstorming

BRAINSTORMING
Getting Ideas Before You Write

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.

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

human mind,

WHY DO WE NEED IT?
BRAINSTORMING CAN:

 It’s the best way to collect your thoughts. generate new ways of thinking.
facilitate team building.

BENEFITS OF BRAINSTORMING
WIDER PICTURE
FUN

QUICK

CHEAP

TEAM BUILDING

GREATER ACCEPTANCE

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 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.

Brainstorming
Three Activities

 Clustering


Listing



Freewriting



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
Golden Gate
Bridge

Chinatown
Fisherman’s
Wharf



Brainstorming

Clustering
Listing
Freewriting

Clustering

3. If you have new ideas, connect those words to the appropriate sub-topic.
Cable Car
Civilian
Prison
1934-1963
Old Military
Prison

Alcatraz

BART

Transportatio n Bus

Museums

American
Legion
Modern Art
Museum
Asian Art
Museum

Famous
Prisoners

San Francisco
Restaurants

Chinatown

Golden Gate
Bridge

Stores
Theaters

Fisherman’ s Wharf
Clam
Chowder