Freewriting and Brainstorming
Focused freewriting and brainstorming are two methods used by
professional writers when the waters of creativity are dammed
up somewhere in their brains. While similar, there are a couple of
important differences between the two methods of getting started.
In both cases, set a brief time limit (perhaps 10 or 15 minutes), sum-
marize your main topic in a phrase or sentence to get your thoughts
moving, and do not edit or even review what you have written until
the time is up.
Brainstorming is writing down everything you can think of that relates
to the topic. It does not require that you work in any sequence or that
your notes be logical or even reasonable. Asking yourself questions
about the topic, no matter how strange, may help you generate new
ideas.
In focused freewriting, the emphasis is on writing...anything...with-
out worrying about whether what you put down is even vaguely
related to your topic. The key is just to start writing—a diary entry,
the biography of your dog, your thoughts about current rock videos—
and not to stopuntil the time is up.
Brainstorming is useful when you are ready to write but just can’t
get a handle on exactly where to begin. Freewriting is useful when
you can’t get your brain to work at all. Both methods will help you
start writing, which is all you are trying to do.
Document Your Sources
To avoid plagiarism, you must document the source when you put
any of the following in your paper:
■ Quotations taken from a published source.
■ Someone else’s theories or ideas.
■ Someone else’s sentences, phrases, or special expressions.
■ Facts, figures, and research data compiled by someone else.
■ Graphs, pictures, and charts designed by someone else.158 How to Study