Pre-writing techniques help writers organize and develop their ideas before starting to write a first draft. Some common pre-writing methods include brainstorming, freewriting, making lists, journaling, and using graphic organizers like mind maps, fishbone maps, and Venn diagrams. Regardless of the specific technique, pre-writing allows writers to get their ideas flowing on paper before beginning to craft a full composition.

1. Pre-writing techniques ENG 093 – QVCC – Fall 2009

2. Writing works the same way. Preparation is the key to good writing. Would you jump into an empty pool?

4. Focus your thinking

5. Organize your ideasPre-writing Techniques

6. Brainstorming Let it ALL out! Don’t restrict yourself on this step. Sketch, write, talk out loud – whatever gets you thinking

7. Various ways of writing out your ideas including freewriting, journaling and lists. Written organizers

8. Freewriting Specified time period. Don’t worry about grammar/spelling. Just write! Don’t stop until time is up.

9. Lists Write down characteristics of your topic. Look for commonalities. Pros/Cons, Causes/Effects

10. Journaling Keep a notebook and write every day OR Collect “snippets” – photos, articles, notes, etc. Look for inspiration in your collection Look for common threads

11. Visual depictions of your ideas including Mind Maps/clustering, fishbone maps and other charts. Graphic Organizers

12. Fishbone Fill in what you know to start – add info as you develop your ideas.

13. Mind Maps Details Main Idea Reviewing Science & Chemical Formulas, Source: Revise GCSE Science Single Award by Eileen Ramsden, David Applin with Tony Buzan, Mind Map by: Patrick Mayfield

14. Ven Diagrams Ven Diagrams are useful to determine where two ideas cross-over. For instance, you might use a Ven Diagram to think about relationships in a Compare/Contrast essay. www.brighthub.com/.../k-12/articles/42282.aspx

15. Most importantly…use what works for you! Prewriting = Preparation = Better Essays