How to Prewrite to Generate Ideas

Writing comes easy to some, while others who just cannot seem to formulate their thoughts into flowing words, sit and stare aimlessly as they mull their writing frustrations. Let’s face it, not everyone is going to reach the level of a famous author, but somewhere along the line you will have to write a paper, and write it well. Taking control of “blank-page jitters” can be accomplished by incorporating writing exercises and techniques that will help you take hold of your writing assignment and not allow it to defeat you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Freewriting Freewriting is a great tool that can assist writers in warming up and focusing their ideas. You can use a notebook to write in or a computer.
2. Time yourself writing for either five, ten or fifteen minutes and write as rapidly as you can without stopping.
3. Write about anything that comes to your mind with respect to the specific topic you are writing on. This will allow you to jot down all your thoughts and ideas quickly without allowing that “inner critic” that lurks inside us to scrutinize and pick apart the writing.
4. Do not concentrate on grammatical or spelling mistakes you may be making as you quickly write.
5. After the timed interval ends, read what you have written and underline the parts you like. These freewriting ideas can help you turn the thoughts and feelings into possible topics, interests or something worth exploring in your writing.
6. Brainstorming Brainstorm by Jotting down ideas about your topic. This will generate possible focuses for your specific topic, giving you something to work with and choose from.
7. Write everything that comes to mind down. Your list should include words and phrases, ideas, details and examples.
8. Read over list and underline or mark interesting ideas that might be worth developing further.
9. Brainstorm again. Each time you do this process, you will move toward a more focused topic, and once the topic is narrowed, you can brainstorm again to generate specific details and reasons that will support the topic idea.
10. Ask Questions Formulate ideas about a specific subject by asking questions and then answering the questions.
11. Write down the six basic questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
12. List the possible answers to these questions to help you explore the general subject.
13. Read over the answers and note the possible focus of the ideas used to answer the six basic questions. This can then be used to give your paper detailed direction.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose to write about topics you are interested in or have some knowledge on. It will help you keep with the focus and direction of the paper you are writing.
• Share your prewriting thoughts and ideas with someone else. Sometimes, two heads are better than one, and having another person to ponder your thoughts with can help you bring more clarity to your ideas.
• Give yourself enough time to think about the topic, and use one of the above techniques to gather your thoughts and ideas with. Waiting to last minute can stifle thoughts and throw your focus off track.
• Research your topic and subject so that you have a broad bank of knowledge to assist your writing.