Reflect, brainstorm, and

start writing!
An Introduction to
Brainstorming
 Definitions - Parameters
What brainstorming is
• Idea generation
• Common step before outlining /
drafting – but can be repeated
during drafting / revising too
• Good and bad idea generation
for everything from topic to
supporting details
• Individual / group activity
What brainstorming isn’t
• Idea completion / drafting
• One and done – to be done once
and then it’s unnecessary to
repeat, be critical or reflect
• Limited by grammar, language,
or style
• Done in a vacuum – all ideas
must come from your mind
What does it look like?

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Created using free tool at
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Version 1: Listing
• Write your topic or prompt at the top of the page
• Write all related ideas or thoughts you have
• Consider setting a timer
• Or keep your list handy so you can add to it over time
• Make a single list or spread ideas out on notecards
• Try to generate as many ideas – good or bad – as possible
• List items can be any length (i.e., word – sentence)
• List items can be question format
• Use pictures, drawings, images
Listing: Academic Essay Example
Process Essay Prompt: Think about a difficult task that you
completed, such as studying for a difficult exam, or applying for a
job. What did you do to prepare? Who helped you along the way?
How did you decide to do that, and did you ever have any doubts
that you would be successful?
*Sometimes a prompt isn’t this
detailed. You can start with one word,
phrase, idea from anywhere! For
example: “a proud accomplishment”
Listing: Academic Essay Example
• Learning to play piano • Look at all businesses hiring
• College entrance exam • Read job advertisements
• Getting my first job • Talk to other workers at that
• Running 10 km/hr business or similar business
• Completing science lab • Create or edit application and
experiment resume
• Learning to speak a new • Talk to manager directly
language • Interview
• Practice interview
Listing: Application Essay Example
Application Essay Prompt: Imagine you are the president of a fictional
university. What type of leader would you be for students? For faculty
and staff? What would your mission statement be about? What type of
5-year plan would you make? Describe any efforts or ideas you might
implement as a university president.
Listing: Application Essay Example
• Flexible schedule for exams
• No grades! But other form of feedback
• Expansion of theater department, chemistry department, etc.
• New cafeteria vendor
• Available and responsive to all staff and faculty by office hours
• Classroom surprise visits with prizes
• Mandatory research days
Version 2: Mind Map
follow
up
thought
example *See additional
brainstorming
1st example in
thought
detail example Module 2

4th Topic / 2nd

example
thought Prompt thought

follow
detail up
thought

3rd
thought
Mind Map: Academic Essay Example
talk to
employees *Depending on
talk to
your thought
tour city
manager
process, you
Selecting
real thing
•experience
business
résumé
don’t need
ideas to flow in
•interest
•skills

any direction
Interview
Getting Apply application
1st job

practice read job ad

Talk to
manager
Mind Map: Application Essay Example
new
cafeteria
food

flexible Classroom
exams surprise visit

Student
services
How: flexible open office
programs hours

Me:
President Faculty /
mandatory
Mission staff
of services
research

University

chose
Equitable for feedback /
all grading
5-Year
Plan

New theater
department
Additional Tips
• Do brainstorming exercise, then put it away for a while
• Talk about your idea with someone before / after brainstorming
• Start over and put individual items from list or mind map at the top or
center of a new list or mind map
• Practice brainstorm before writing / after reading
Reflection Activities
• Try both brainstorming methods (listing / mind map) – do you have a
preference? Try something creative too!
• Practice timed brainstorming in increments (3 minutes, 10 minutes,
open-ended, multi-day) – which works for you in terms of idea
generating, motivation, focus?
• Visit “1b Additional Genre Prompts” or “Additional Resources for
Module 2” to find more prompts to practice brainstorming.
• Check out the Mind Mapping Templates shared in Module 3 as well.