Strategies for Generating Ideas Chapter 19 Strategies for Generating Ideas

Building from Your Assignment As you examine an assignment, read through the assignment once read it again, marking info about your situation as a writer list the questions that the assignment raises for you list any questions that the assignment doesn’t answer or ask you to do

Brainstorming Gain sudden insight or inspiration using free association to stimulate a chain of ideas Start with a word or phrase and write down whatever comes to mind Brainstorm to define a topic, generate an example, or find a title for a paper Can do this as a group activity

Freewriting Simply write sentences without stopping for about 15 minutes Don’t make it pretty — just write Use these steps: Write a sentence or two at the top of the page Write without stopping for at least 10 minutes Explore without censoring yourself Prepare yourself if necessary Repeat the process if necessary

Doodling or Sketching Give your ideas room to grow Concentrate on your topic, but welcome new ideas Mix visuals and text by adding icons, symbols, colors, figures, labels, notes, or questions Follow up on your discoveries

Mapping Taps your visual and spatial creativity as you position ideas on a page or in a file Allow space for your map to develop Begin with a topic or key idea Add related ideas, examples, issues, or questions Refine the connections

Mapping (cont’d) RADIO STATION Form committee to screen program proposals Program slots go to manager’s friends Too many oldies Aim for more musical diversity WHY? Survey campus preferences Many students don’t listen RADIO STATION Aim for more musical diversity

Imagining Speculate about changes, alternatives, and options Shift perspective Envision what might be Synthesize

Asking a Reporter’s Questions Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? The questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how can condense your story into the lead, a sentence or two that answers all of the above questions Add details later, going from most important first to the least important Copyright © 2017 Macmillan Learning

Seeking Motives Discover motives behind actions Break an action down into five components (a pentad) The act The actor The agency The scene The purpose or motive for acting

Keeping a Journal Types of journals Reflective journals Responsive journals Warm-up journals E-journals Blogs

Getting Ready Setting up circumstances Devote one special place to writing Establish a ritual Relocate Reduce distractions Write at your best time Write on a schedule

Preparing Your Mind Talk about your writing Lay out your plans Keep a notebook or journal handy Read