The Pre-Writing Stage

Determining a Topic

In the Pre-Writing stage, a writer will gather ideas and brainstorm a writing topic. Sometimes, determining the topic can be challenging. Good writers find it useful to begin by employing a free-writing session. In a free-write session, put pen to paper for a set amount of time (15-20 minutes). During this time, do not cross anything out or censor as you write down as many ideas as possible. At the end of the time, begin narrowing down your ideas to determine a topic.

Crafting the Thesis Review

After determining the focus of the essay, it is time to write a thesis statement. Remember that the thesis statement is one sentence that appears at the end of the introductory paragraph and reveals what the entire essay will be about.

Recall that a simple way to form a thesis is to turn an essay prompt or question into a statement. A prompt for an essay about Olaudah Equiano might be: "What is the theme of Olaudah Equino's life?"

In order to create a thesis statement from the above prompt, change the question into a statement and add a little bit of information regarding your topic. For example: The theme of The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano, by Olaudah Equiano is perseverance.

Taking the essay question and changing the prompt into a statement allows the writer to create a clear thesis statement for the reader. With a clear thesis, the writer can align the rest of the ideas and the essay to the main topic. Here are some topic ideas to get you started: compare and contrast, theme, social issue, character change.

Remember, the rules for writing a thesis statement from Writing Workshop:

Ensure that the thesis statement states the main idea of the entire essay and the student's opinion on the topic.
Do not create a thesis statement with three points that align with your body paragraphs—this is too formulaic
The thesis statement is the last sentence in the introduction paragraph.

Ex: The theme of The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano, by Olaudah Equiano explores the idea of perseverance in the midst of hardship.

Brainstorming for Details

The Writing Workshop covered two possible ways to brainstorm—the spatial method, or web method, and the list method. Recall that spatial brainstorms allow writers to create "bubbles" or "images" indicating how they group ideas. Click on the handout in the sidebar for the example of a Spatial Bubble Brainstorm Template seen in the Writing Workshop.

Web Brainstorm Method Review

To create a Brainstorm Web, on the center of the paper, write your topic and draw a circle around it. When you think of your main idea, or thesis statement, draw a big circle around it. Then, when you come up relating ideas, write them down, draw a circle around them, and draw a line to show how they connect to the topic in the center and/or the other ideas you have written down. For Example:

List Brainstorm Method Review

Begin your list with your main idea—your thesis statement. With your main idea at the top, you will know what to focus on as you brainstorm. Then, decide what you want your topic sentences to be in order to group similar ideas. After you have the topic sentences, you can create statements that support your topic sentences. These supporting points will become your paragraphs.

For Example:

Thesis: The theme of The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano, by Olaudah Equiano is perseverance.

Body Topic Sentence 1: Equiano overcame many difficulties in slavery.

Statement 1: Equiano was forced to leave his home at a young age.

Statement 2: Equiano was hurt during his time in slavery.

Body Topic Sentence 2: Equiano continued working for other slaves when he was freed.

Statement 1: Equiano spoke on countless occasions for the freedom of slaves.

Statement 2: Equiano wrote to high officials to help free all slaves.

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