How do you select the

information you will include in

your writing? What technique do
you do to organize the
information?
Brainstorming
 Brainstorming
The Key to
Successful Essay Writing

Adapted from http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/brainstorming.html

 Brainstorming
What is it?
A gathering of ideas from your brain
onto paper.
The variety of ideas and the use of your
imagination assist you in producing a lot of
material with which to work.
Why do we need it?
Its the best way to collect your thoughts.
Its helpful for organization.
It ensures only quality ideas are used in the essay.
 Brainstorming helps
you generate topics
and narrow them down
to one.
 To make a brainstorming
list, start by writing down
a general topic.
 General Topic: College Course
my interests
my skills
long-term plan
school prestige
cost of schooling
course requirements
financial status
practicality
demand
parents' approval
 You can also make a
brainstorming list based on a
thesis statement. The thesis
statement is the main idea,
argument, or purpose of your
paper.
 Should parents choose the
course or career for their
children, or should their children
make the choice themselves?
 Thesis statement: Children
and not their parents should
choose their course or
career.
 They know themselves best.
They know their strengths and
weaknesses.
They will be more willing to learn if they
are doing what they want to do.
They are more likely to succeed if they
pursue their dream.
They will look forward to their daily classes
or work.
Gain more confidence
Personal happiness
 In a college entrance exam, you are asked
to respond to this quote:
"Your work is going to fill a large
part of your life, and the only way to
be truly satisfied is to do what you
believe is great work. And the only
way to do great work is to love
what you do."
-Steve Jobs
Thesis statement: Love
whatever you choose to
do.
 Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Pursue a dream.
Do what you are good at.
Choose a job wherein you can use your
skills.
Give it your best shot.
Respect your work.
Practice, practice, practice.
Always find new ways of loving your work.
Love your work even if it is not your first
choice.
 Brainstorming Technique
Number One

Freewriting
Options:
Write for a specific time period
Write for a specific amount of paper
 Brainstorming Technique
Number One
???
???

Freewriting

When is it helpful?
When you have NO ideas about a topic
When you have TOO MANY ideas about a
topic Maybe I could say
this or maybe I
could say that
hmmm
Brainstorming Technique
Number Two

Making a Cube
What is it?
Imagine a cube. It has six sides. On
each side, you have a different task
regarding the topic.
 Brainstorming Technique
Number Two

Making a Cube
Side One: Describe the topic.
Side Two: Compare the topic.
Side Three: Associate the topic. Associate
Compare
Describe
Analyze
Apply
Argue
Side Four: Analyze the topic.
Side Five: Apply the topic.
Side Six: Argue for or against the topic.
 Activity 3

Make a brainstorming list for

any of the following topics:
1.2016 national elections
2.Graft and corruption
3.Political advertisements