Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a way to generate ideas for writing. They help put thoughts to paper and help writers work through the process. This can take the form of freewriting, mind mapping, outlining, or other prewriting activities. Often people internalize a crucial step to brainstorming: asking questions.

 Brainstorm in-depth questions instead of topics

• Start with a broad, easy to come up with question:
• “What about ___?” or “What is ___ about?”
• “What is the nature of ___?”
• Question cannot be answered with yes or no.
• Ask how, why, and what questions that explain things
• Ask the question even if you know the answer
• Ask deeper follow-up questions
• Connect related questions to one another
• Overlap is expected don’t worry about precise organization.
• Keep asking questions until there aren’t anymore
• Don’t stop no matter how many questions there are.
• When the questions run out, it’s time for answers.
• Research and then write in answers to questions 

When you’ve written in your answers, you can start refining the brainstorm. Shift the focus from the broad question to one of the related questions. The answers will form a rough outline for a paper. Since all answers will lead back to the answer to the broad question that is your thesis statement.

Consider the examples using “Red Riding Hood”

Outline Format Brainstorm

What is the nature of the wolf?
I.    Why is he in the woods?

A.    Why is he alone?
B.    Why does he go to Grandma’s?
C.    Why does the wolf first talk with Red?

i.    Why does he talk to Red later?
ii.    Why do both talk about  hands/eyes/teeth?

II.    What kind of animal is the wolf?

A.    Why isn’t he more like an actual wolf?

i.    How does the wolf fit in with society?

a.    What is the nature of the society?

1.    How do Red & Grandma fit in society?

III.    What does the Wolf want?

A.    What desires does the Wolf have beyond hunger?

i.    What other types of appetites might he have?

a.    What emotions does the Wolf display?

1.    Why does the Wolf have emotions?

IV.    What is odd about the Wolf’s behavior?

A.    How can the Wolf talk?

i.    How intelligent is the Wolf?

a.    How does the Wolf know a shortcut through the woods?
b.    How does the Wolf know to deceive Grandma & Red?