| Whether we need to write a term paper for | | | | after all). |
| school or a proposal for work, many of us | | | | 3. Directed Questioning. |
| experience "writer's block." No matter how much | | | | If you already have a general topic to consider, |
| we rack our brains, we simply can't come up with | | | | then you may need to pinpoint exactly what to |
| stuff to write. So we end up wasting a whole lot | | | | write about. The key is to ask yourself the right |
| of time and effort. Well, it doesn't have to be this | | | | questions. For example: |
| way! One of the best ways to avoid writers | | | | - How does this topic compare with other topics? |
| block, is to do "pre-writing" activities. These will | | | | - How would you define the topic? |
| help to get the creative juices flowing, and your | | | | - What is the relationship of the topic with the |
| keyboard keys clicking. Here are some effective | | | | other ideas? |
| methods to use: | | | | - Can you support or oppose the topic? |
| 1. Audience. | | | | - Why are you interested in the topic? |
| It's always crucial to think about the audience, as | | | | Asking such questions will help you to make the |
| another effective pre-writing technique. Who is | | | | focus of your writing laser-sharp. Sometimes this |
| the intended audience? What is their background | | | | can be just as challenging as choosing the topic |
| and educational level? How much do they know | | | | itself. |
| about the topic you're writing about? Who would | | | | 4. Freewriting. |
| be interested in what you're writing about? How | | | | As its name suggests, this pre-writing process |
| formal or informal should the writing be? Thinking | | | | involves literally writing what's on your mind. Don't |
| about these questions will help to shape your | | | | worry about incorrect grammar or punctuation. |
| writing in a way that is appropriate for your | | | | The goal is to transfer what's in your |
| intended audience. | | | | subconscious mind-onto paper. Set a particular |
| 2. Brainstorming. | | | | amount of time for freewriting, and don't stop |
| Think of a particular word or phrase, and then | | | | until you're done! |
| think about everything that pops into your mind, | | | | This method can be "open" or "focused." If you |
| which is linked to the word or phrase. You can | | | | haven't determined the specific topic yet, then |
| either make a list, or draw "bubbles." Use lines to | | | | write about anything related to the general |
| link the original word or phrase to other bubbles | | | | subject you're considering. However, if you |
| (ideas), and then use lines to link the content of | | | | already have a topic, then "focused" freewriting |
| those bubbles-to other bubbles. | | | | can help to pinpoint a more precise topic to write |
| After completing this method, look at the list or | | | | about. At first glance, your writing from this |
| picture that you created. Start looking for | | | | process may seem like gibberish. But this is a |
| connections between the different key words and | | | | fantastic method for helping to get the creative |
| phrases. The amount of information that you use | | | | juices flowing and more importantly-improve the |
| from the brainstorming will likely range from | | | | quality of your writing. |
| some-to-most. That's normal! The essence of the | | | | These pre-writing activities can definitely make |
| method is to start making connections between | | | | the whole task much more achievable. So make |
| random thoughts (which actually aren't so random | | | | sure you do the 'writing before the writing'! |