Generating ideas

Generating ideas

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  Generating Ideas Umm-e-RoomanYaqoob
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  Writing Strategies: •A strategy is a plan that is intended to achieve a particular purpose. • Brannan , in his book “ A Writer`s Workshop ” has pointed out five types of strategies for effective writing one of which is “Strategies for Generating ideas”
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  Strategies for Generatingideas: • For many people, the toughest part of any writing task is getting started. Here are some exercises that help with "blank page syndrome" or "writer's block." • Following are some common strategies for generating ideas…….
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   Free-writing Brainstorming  Clustering  Cubing  Mapping  Listing  Looping  Nutshelling  Researching  WH-questions  Story board  Invisible writing
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  Free-writing: • Freewritinginvolves letting your thoughts flow freely on paper or your computer screen. Set aside a time frame like 15 minutes for writing or determine to write and fill a certain number of pages and get down to it. Write whatever comes to your mind. Don’t worry about typos, spelling or any other surface-level issues of grammar and style. Just write until your time is up or your page goal is attained.
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  Brain Storming: •Brainstorming is an activity with which most people are familiar. The object in brainstorming is to compile as large a list as possible of potential examples for a given topic. This is a great activity to do in small groups or with the entire class. • To generate ideas , to do it effectively , usage of appropriate words and do ask as many questions as you can.
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  Clustering: • Clustering,also known as idea mapping, is a strategy used to explore relationships and associations between ideas. If you have run out of ideas on a subject or topic, write down the subject in the centre of a page. Highlight the subject either by underlining or circling it. Think of an idea that relates to the subject and jot it down on your page. Link the idea to the central subject. • Cluster mapping is also part idea generation and part organization, so students will know exactly how to group their ideas once they are ready to write.
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  Cubing: • Cubingis a critical thinking process that involves examining a writing project from six distinct angles to generate ideas for your stalled projects. Describe your project: What is it? What is it like or unlike? What makes up its constituents? How can it be used? Finally, what are its pros or cons or how can you oppose or support it? At the end of the exercise you should have an angle or outline on how to approach your writing topic or project.
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  Listing: • Ifone want to write about a specific topic or communicate a certain idea, jot down a list of single words and phrases that relate to the general topic you are thinking about off the top of your mind. Don’t outline or edit at this point. Let the activity be uninhibited. When you are finished listing, group the items on your lists in a logical manner and provide a label for each group. Write a sentence about each group and you will have several topic or theme sentences you can develop. Build on the topic sentences and define associations of the groups to get broader topics or themes with possible points to write on.
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  Looping: • Readthrough what you have produced in all the freewriting looping cycles and analyze all interesting sentences, ideas or phrases. You will likely discover a recurrent topic idea or theme you are unconsciously thinking about has taken precedence. You can develop this topic idea or theme and use it in your next writing project.
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  Researching: • Visitthe library or go to a writing centre near you and browse dictionaries, thesauruses, guide books and any other reference texts that you find. You will be surprised at how much background information, little-known facts and golden topic ideas relevant to your writing projects reference books can give.
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  WH-Questions: • Writethe five "Wh" questions (who, what, where, when, why) across your paper. List as many questions as you can think of that a reader might ask about your topic in those categories. Write down answers or features of your topic that might address those concerns.
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  Story Board: •This is ideal for narrative assignments. In each "screen," sketch the stages of a story (like a comic strip). Under the sketch, briefly define the action. In a large box below, list at least three descriptive phrases or adjectives which clarify the action.
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  Invisible Writing: •If you have trouble writing without constantly re-reading and editing what you've said, this may work for you. Using computer, turn the contrast down on your monitor so the screen is blank. Type for at least 20-30 minutes without looking at what you've written. Then, turn the contrast up and, ignoring typos, find out what you have to say!
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  Thank You 