BRAINSTORMING

A group problem-solving technique that involves the

spontaneous contribution of ideas from all members of the
group; also :the mulling over of ideas by one or more individuals
in an attempt to devise or find a solution to a problem.

TIPS ON BRAINSTORMING
1. CUBING
Cubing enables you to consider your topic from six different
directions; just as a cube is six-sided, your cubing brainstorming
will result in six “sides” or approaches to the topic. Take a sheet
of paper, consider your topic, and respond to these six
commands.
a. Describe it. b. Compare it.
c. Associate it. d. Analyze it.
e. Apply it. f. Argue for and against it.

Look over what you’ve written. Do any of the responses suggest anything new about your topic? What interactions do
you notice among the “sides”? That is, do you see patterns repeating, or a theme emerging that you could use to
approach the topic or draft a thesis? Does one side seem particularly fruitful in getting your brain moving? Could that
one side help you draft your thesis statement? Use this technique in a way that serves your topic. It should, at least, give
you a broader awareness of the topic’s complexities, if not a sharper focus on what you will do with it.
2. FREEWRITING
When you freewrite, you let your thoughts flow as they will, putting pen to paper and writing down whatever comes
into your mind. You don’t judge the quality of what you write and you don’t worry about style or any surface-level
issues, like spelling, grammar, or punctuation. If you can’t think of what to say, you write that down—really. The
advantage of this technique is that you free up your internal critic and allow yourself to write things you might not write
if you were being too self-conscious.
When you freewrite you can set a time limit (“I’ll write for 15 minutes!”) and even use a kitchen timer or alarm clock or
you can set a space limit (“I’ll write until I fill four full notebook pages, no matter what tries to interrupt me!”) and just
write until you reach that goal. You might do this on the computer or on paper, and you can even try it with your eyes
shut or the monitor off, which encourages speed and freedom of thought.
The crucial point is that you keep on writing even if you believe you are saying nothing. Word must follow word, no
matter the relevance.
When you’re done with your set number of minutes or have reached your page goal, read back over the text. Yes, there
will be a lot of filler and unusable thoughts but there also will be little gems, discoveries, and insights. When you find
these gems, highlight them or cut and paste them into your draft or onto an “ideas” sheet so you can use them in your
paper. Even if you don’t find any diamonds in there, you will have either quieted some of the noisy chaos or greased the
writing gears so that you can now face the assigned paper topic.
3. LISTING/BULLETING
In this technique you jot down lists of words or phrases under a particular topic. You can base your list on:
 the general topic
 one or more words from your particular thesis claim
 a word or idea that is the complete opposite of your original word or idea.
4. MAPPING
Brainstorming is a technique for recalling what you know about a topic. Mind mapping can then be used to work out the
relationship between those points and ideas. When you set down your ideas visually in this way, you can make
connections and develop greater understanding of information. It is a good way to begin planning for an assignment,
essay, research topic or oral presentation.
A mind map is a visual representation of your ideas, consisting of words, images and colours. It allows you to construct
an overview of the topic so that you can see its complexities more clearly and identify relationships between different
aspects of the topic
PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT IN WRITING
When beginning to write, it is helpful to determine the patterns of development that are most effective for your
purpose and audience. Some general patterns of development are:

1. DESCRIPTION the pattern of development which goes into details about a specific object, person, or location, in order
to firmly set its appearance. What does it look like? What are its characteristics?
Characteristics of Description
 has a clear focus and sense of purpose
 uses sensory details and precise words
 presents details in a logical order
Varieties of Description
1. Objective Description - looks into factual and scientific characteristics of what is being described as objectively as possible *
The writer stays away from emotional impressions or responses and instead, describes the scene as it is.
2. Subjective Description - a sort of description that the author would normally use to “paint a picture” of how he sees a
character, or how he wants the reader to see a character - also used in a literary discourse when there is stereotyped image
that can be attributed to a person, place, or an event.
2. CLASSIFICATION AND DIVISION - Classification - divides things into groups, classes, or categories - organizes ideas into
divisions based on criteria or standards
Exemplification - provides examples and illustrations in order to further clarify or explain the concept or subject matter -
presents the general statement and then provides specific and concrete examples to expound on the main idea
Signal Words for Classification another classified as one kind the last group another kind final type the first category the next part
Signal Words for Exemplification after all for instance namely that is as an example in other words put another
way to be specific consider the following in particular specifically to clarify for example in short stated
differently to illustrate
3. CAUSE AND EFFECT explains why something happens or what results a particular event produces
a. Paragraph empasizing cause b. Paragraph emphasizing effect
Signal Words for Cause as for in view of (the fact) owing to (the fact) because (of the fact) for the reason that inasmuch as seeing that
being that in that one reason since due to (the fact that)
Signal Words for Effect accordingly consequently in consequence so that as a consequence for this reason so therefore as a result (of this)
hence so much (so) that thus because (of this)
4. COMPARE AND CONTRAST - organizes ideas based on how events, places, people, things, and concepts are similar to
or different from one another
a. separately -involves describing one item first followed by the second item
b. side-by-side -involves discussing both items based on each point of comparison
5. DEFINITION explains what something is in comparison to other members of its class, along with any limitations.
Varieties of Definition
1. Scientific Definition - defines concepts in the most factual way, which is often used in scientific, proper, or real world
facts
2. Subjective Definition - defines the objects in a more personal way - usually derived from the author's own
experiences and opinion - often used by a writer to state something from the point of view of the characters or in relation
to the setting
The term could be emphasized by the following:
1. Characteristics or features 2. Function
3. Effect 4. Origin
Signal Words for Definition is defined as means to define as defined refers to to illustrate
6. PERSUASION convinces readers to agree to an argument or claim about a particular topic.
Signal Words for Emphasizing a Point again in that case to emphasize truly for this reason indeed to repeat with this in
mind in fact
Signal Words for Concluding and Summarizing accordingly consequently in brief inevitably in a nutshell all in all due to
in conclusion on the whole therefore as a result finally in short since thus as I have said in any event in summary in essence
to sum up
Signal Words for Conceding a Point admittedly it is true that obviously true assuredly needless to say of course
undoubtedly certainly no doubt to be sure unquestionably granted
7. PROBLEM-SOLUTION - focuses on either a problem or solution in a particular area or situation
Signal Words for Problem-Solution but the problem one solution is first, second the solution
8. NARRATION the most basic pattern of development, describes what, when, and where something happened
- used to tell a story or focus on a set of related events