This week, we focus on Brainstorming Techniques… but first, a quick review:
You will work in groups and format the following document appropriately for a piece of Academic Writing in our class:
With that quick review complete, let’s move on to the new stuff…
Week 3, Lesson 1
In today’s lesson, we discussed the Brainstorming Process, which is an important part of the writing process.
Specifically, we talked about:
- Topic Choice
- Free Writing
- How to build Mind Maps
- Assessing What’s Interesting Here?
If you missed class, check out this week’s Non-Textbook Videos at the bottom of this page: they cover most of the same content.
(The folder also contains some copies of handouts I distributed during the Week 3, Day 1 class.)
Please note: I built the Mind Map on the whiteboard in class, but you may be asked to build one or more Mind Maps using some software. See below for some recommendations.
Lesson 1 Handouts
Recommended Mind Mapping Software
There are several options available:
- Scapple (My Mind Mapping Software): Scapple is the Mind Mapping software that I use, and the one I recommend most highly for students.
- Simplemind (Mind Mapping App): Simplemind is one of two free (trial) Mind Mapping applications I recommend trying for onscreen Mind Mapping.
- Xmind (Mind Mapping Software): XMind is the other free (trial) Mind Mapping software you might use.
All of these programs are either free or offer a free-to-use trial period that is long enough for you to use for the semester.
Week 3, Lesson 2
For Lesson 2, we’re having small group meetings to discuss the Brainstorming Process. You can bring samples to your meeting to discuss with me and verify that you fully understood the process.
Textbook Videos and Tasks
In Great Writing 2, please do the following:
- Read Grammar: Descriptive Adjectives (pg. 29)
- Complete Activities 6–7 (pg. 29–30)
In Great Writing 2, please do the following:
- Read Adjectives with More Exact Meanings (pg. 31)
- Complete Activities 8, 9, and 11 (pg. 31–33)
In Great Writing 2, please do the following:
- Read Grammar: Simple vs. Compound Sentences (pg. 34)
- Complete Activities 12–14 (pg. 34–36)
In Great Writing 2, please do the following:
- Read Titles (pg. 37)
- Complete Activity 16 (pg. 37)
Optional Textbook Work
If you’d like more practice with the material in Unit 2, do the following in Great Writing 2:
- Complete Activities 17–23 (pgs. 38–42).
- Choose one of the Additional Topics for Writing (page 43) and write a paragraph about it.
- Try the Test Prep exercise (page 43).
Optional Week 3 Paragraph Practice
For Week 3, your practice paragraph should be on a topic of your own creation. Use the Brainstorming Process as we discussed it in class, going through the following steps.
- Free Writing,
- What’s Interesting Here?
- a Mind Map
- a Statement of Intent and Topic Sentence
Save all of this material, and then do your best with the Topic Sentence to create a good paragraph that suits.
Note: Make sure you practice all of the steps we discussed whenever you write a paragraph for this class. You will be expected to demonstrate your familiarity with the entire writing process on the exams.
Non-Textbook Videos
For those who missed our meeting for Lesson 1, please check out the following videos, which cover some of the same ground.