1. What do you know? (Ideas from school, hobbies, home?) If you are stuck, think of a time when you had to make a big decision or try to anticipate a big decision you might have to make.

2.  find topics that have clear advantages and clear disadvantages  consider the “why” and “who” – why are you writing this essay and who will be reading it * Don’t just pick the first idea that comes to mind.

3.  Use the fishbone outline to help you organize your ideas…  Assignment: for next time, come up with four or five ideas for an advantage/disadvantage essay.  for at least one of these essay ideas, come up with three advantages and three disadvantages…