Fifth Lesson

Now we are elaborating the third method of beginning to write:

Brainstorming

The next method that we look at for getting started on as assignment uses note form rather than the continuous prose of practice writing.

•  The idea of brainstorming your ideas is that you simply note down as many ideas as possible about a topic, in words or phrases. 

• Later you will select and throw out some items. you can do task as a list, but many people like to begin to arrange their brainstorming ideas spatially, which helps them to see how they relate to each other.  

• It can therefore be a good idea to use a blank piece of paper so that you can arrange your jottings where you like the page as you think of them. 

• This technique has now become very familiar and helps to select the appropriate ideas for your academic writing.  

As  in practice writing exercise, use your own topic for the following activity if you prefer.

Activity Five: Brainstorming for writing

Take the topic "The family in your country today". Write down as many points about this topic as you can, using single words or phrases. You may find it useful to arrange your ideas spatially on your page, to give you an idea of how they begin to group together. 

Now compare the brainstorming ideas that you have noted with the list below. Can you think about where your own ideas have come from?

The family in your own country today

• Parents
• Different cultures
• High rate of divorce
• Family values
• Are families in decline? 
• New kind of family emerging   
• Families religion