Unit 4.

2
Methods of Brainstorming
 Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a way of gathering ideas about a topic. Think of a
storm : thousands of drops of rain, all coming down together. Now,
imagine thousands of ideas ‘raining’ down onto your paper !

When you brainstorm write every idea that comes to your mind.
Don’t worry now about whether the ideas are good or silly, useful
or not. Your task is to gather as many ideas as you can.
Methods of
Brainstorming
1. Making a List

Write single words or a phrases

or sentences related to your topic
and create a list.
Methods of
Brainstorming
2. Free Writing

When you free write, you write

whatever comes into your head about
your topic, without stopping for just 5 to 10 minutes.
Methods of
Brainstorming
3. Mapping

To make a map, use the whole sheet of

paper, and write your topic in the middle, with a circle around it.
Write other ideas in circles above or below and connect all circles
with lines.
Methods of
Brainstorming
4. Questioning

In questioning, you generate ideas

and details by asking questions about your subject. Such questions
include why, when, where, who, and how. Ask as many questions as
you can think of.
Methods of
Brainstorming
5. Preparing a Scratch Outline

In a scratch outline, you think carefully

about the point you are making, the
supporting items for that point, and the order in which you will
arrange those items. The scratch outline is a plan or blueprint to help
you achieve a unified, supported, well-organized essay.
 References
Bailey, S. (2014). Academic writing: A handbook for International
Students (4th ed.). Routledge.

Langan, J. (2011). College writing skills with Reading (8th ed.).

McGraw Hill.

Zemach, D. E., & Rumisek, L. A. (2005). Academic Writing: From

Paragraph to Essay. Macmillan.