Prewriting Techniques

Past Prewriting Techniques

        I have tried various types of prewriting techniques for a number of projects and assignments, but they almost always begin with brainstorming. I like to get several points of views and gather ideas and data before putting them down on paper.

        Another technique I am becoming comfortable with is Mapping. My Mapping to date is a combination of Clustering and Branching, where my subject is in the center of the page and my ideas sprawled out in all directions around it. I used this technique in our first blog when comparing the two narratives we were assigned.

        Last but easily my favorite would be free writing where sometimes my very first sentence starts with; I don’t know what to write about, or I don’t know where to begin. I will write nonstop for ten to twenty minutes before reading what I’ve written. Some of it may have no relevance what so ever, but somewhere in there I usually find what I’m looking for.

        I have not tried Listing, but I may use this for our first assignment. For me the hardest part is just getting started and prewriting is a way to get your ideas on paper sometimes before you even know what they are.