Brainstorming and Listing Exercise Student Instructions
Now that we've brainstormed and listed some possible topics for a Literacy Essay I might write based on my personal experiences, spend
some time doing the same for possible topics for YOUR Literacy Essay.
First, brainstorm randomly about possible topics for the essay.
Then, pick two or three possible topics and list as many subtopics for these as you can think of.
After finishing your list, draw lines, make arrows, stars, whatever works for you, to indicate connections between different subtopics.
Then, cross out any topics you think won't generate enough information for a three-page paper.
Select two of the remaining topics and freewrite on each of them for five minutes.
Brainstorming is an informal way of generating topics to write about, or points to make about your topic. It can be done at any point along
the writing process. You can brainstorm a whole paper or just a conclusion or an example. The important point about brainstorming is that
there should be no pressure to be "brilliant." You should simply open your mind to whatever pops into it. Think of it as a kind of free
association. When I say "literacy," what pops into your mind? Much of what you will come up with will not be useful, but that's okay. Part of
brainstorming will involve a selection process.
Listing is a brainstorming technique many people find useful. It means doing just what its name suggests -- listing possible topics and then
sublists of things you could say about each topic. A list could consist of the main topic of regional dialects and then sublists would be
regional dialects you know or have experienced. Additional sublists might be particular words of each of those dialects, things you have
noticed about those dialects (i.e. New Yorkers speak fast), what you think those dialects sound like, etc.
Brainstorming – capturing all thoughts ,ideas, and fragments in one’s head and writing them down on paper
4 Reasons To Try Brainstorming Techniques
You’ve probably used many of these methods already in your life. But if you
want to become a better writer, regular brainstorming will help you write more
creative content.
-Gives you new idea
-Helps you work through problems.
-Improves your creative thinking.
-Helps your team work better together.
Brainstorming is an informal way of generating topics to write about, or points
to make about your topic. It can be done at any time during the writing process.
You can brainstorm the topics for a whole paper or just a conclusion or an
example. The important point about brainstorming is that there should be no
pressure to be "brilliant." Students should simply open their minds to whatever
pops into them. Think of it as a kind of free association. When I say "literacy" what pops into your mind? Much of what the students will
come up with will not be useful, but that's okay. Part of brainstorming will involve a selection process.
Individual Brainstorming
While group brainstorming is often more effective at generating ideas than normal group problem solving, several studies have shown that
individual brainstorming produces more – and often better – ideas than group brainstorming.
This can occur because groups aren't always strict in following the rules of brainstorming, and bad behaviors creep in. Mostly, though, this
happens because people pay so much attention to other people that they don't generate ideas of their own – or they forget these ideas
while they wait for their turn to speak. This is called "blocking."
When you brainstorm on your own, you don't have to worry about other people's egos or opinions, and you can be freer and more creative.
For example, you might find that an idea you'd hesitate to bring up in a group develops into something special when you explore it on your
own.However, you may not develop ideas as fully when you're on your own, because you don't have the wider experience of other group
members to draw on.
Tip:To get the most out of your individual brainstorming session, choose a comfortable place to sit and think. Minimize distractions so that
you can focus on the problem at hand, and consider using Mind Maps to arrange and develop ideas.
Individual brainstorming is most effective when you need to solve a simple problem, generate a list of ideas, or focus on a broad issue.
Group brainstorming is often more effective for solving complex problems.
Group Brainstorming
Here, you can take advantage of the full experience and creativity of all team members. When one member gets stuck with an idea,
another member's creativity and experience can take the idea to the next stage. You can develop ideas in greater depth with group
brainstorming than you can with individual brainstorming.
Another advantage of group brainstorming is that it helps everyone feel that they've contributed to the solution, and it reminds people that
others have creative ideas to offer. It's also fun, so it can be great for team building!
Group brainstorming can be risky for individuals. Unusual suggestions may appear to lack value at first sight – this is where you need to
chair sessions tightly, so that the group doesn't crush these ideas and stifle creativity.
Where possible, participants should come from a wide range of disciplines. This cross-section of experience can make the session more
creative. However, don't make the group too big: as with other types of teamwork, groups of five to seven people are usually most
effective.
