Brainstorming Strategies
When you begin thinking of topic ideas for any type of essay, try answering these questions from Donald Murray's The Craft of Revision. Just jot down your answers as honestly as possible. No one has to see this work, so don't worry about misspellings, misused commas, fragments, or run-ons. Just explore.
- am I thinking about while waiting in line?
- irritated me today?
- made me laugh?
- made me angry?
- did I learn today?
- contradicted what I know--or thought I knew?
- made me feel good?
- made me feel bad?
- confuses me?
- does somebody need to know that I know?
- questions do I need answered?
- surprised me today?