How to brainstorm ideas for report writing
A Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a “brainstorm”as“a sudden bright idea”. Your ideas, thoughts and information are the meat of the matter or the body of your e-mail, memo or report. The first step to writing is to record initial ideas on paper before they float away or evaporate off. Listed below are the building blocks for you to use them to structure the report into orderly manner. Go back to the listing, free writing or mind-map and sort through the ideas and assign similar or related ones to separate groups.
A. LISTING 1. Write the topic or assignment title at the top of the page and then quickly list keywords associated with the topic. In this way, you will have information and ideas to start off the writing. 2. The most important rule: NO COMMENTS ALLOWED. Focus on gathering as much information as possible; the review comes later. 3. Free writing or free typing. Discoveries happen also when you are free writing or free typing. Informal writing is relaxing and, in turn, produces some of the best ideas. B. COPYING AND PASTING 1. This is useful for research-based writing like college assignment, journal articles or even magazine article. Highlight the relevant text and paste it in new Word document or postcard-sized cards, along with reference details. 2. The “list of ingredients” compiled in one document, is ready for you to review, sift through, blend and then knead into the desire shape. C. CLUSTERING OR MIND-MAPPING 1. For some writing assignments, especially complex ones with overlapping and conflicting topics, a visual way of clustering ideas together or mindmapping will helps you dig your way out of an avalanche of information. a. Using a pen and a blank sheet of unlined paper, write the topic/ title in the center and then note down key ideas related to it as they come to mind. (i) Add each ideas new idea to the most suitable sections and soon you will have a cluster of notes for review. b. Tony Buzan’s mind-mapping techniques dictates the use of an image or picture as the center of idea and colors for your mind map. This method is useful for group writing.
1
1
Kbxssk1