1. Strategies for Generating Ideas
Chapter 19
Strategies for Generating Ideas

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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
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10. 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

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

12. 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

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