Lesson Topic 2: Brainstorming Big

What is Brainstorming?

An illustrated man with light skin and dark blond hair has his left hand on his chin and his eyes turned upward in a classic "thinking" pose. A cartoon bubble above him shows a cloud with a thunderbolt and raindrops, symbolizing a "brainstorm." There are many ways to brainstorm, and one person's way of brainstorming might not be the way you brainstorm best. Brainstorming happens when we, as writers, sit down and think about what we are going to write, and how we are going to put all of our ideas together in an essay. Some ways to brainstorm include webs, lists, or outlines.

No matter how you decide to brainstorm, taking the time to sit down and really think about what you want to include in your essay will help you in the long run when you begin to write. Practice with both methods below in order to determine which way you think you brainstorm best.

What is a Web?

If you learn best by seeing pictures, a web might be the best way for you to brainstorm. In the center of the map, 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 with 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. The ideas that connect will be grouped into paragraphs.

For example:

An example of a web brainstorm. In this example, the main argument, or thesis, is at the center of the web. Supporting arguments branch from the thesis, with statements that support those arguments underneath. It is arranged as a web, a good way to organize thoughts for visual learners.

What is a List?

Some people learn best by listing out all of their ideas. 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. Writing out your topic helps you focus on it. Then, list the ideas that relate to your main idea in the order that they come to you. You can make multiple lists to find supporting points for each of your ideas. These supporting points will become your paragraphs.

For example:

An example of a list when brainstorming The thesis statement, or main idea, is at the top of the page. Main supporting arguments come after the thesis. Each of the main supporting arguments is supported by statements in bullet form.

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION