This chapter contains the following sections:
- PART A: Freewriting
- PART B: Brainstorming
- PART C: Clustering
- PART D: Asking Questions
- PART E: Keeping a Journal
Chapter introduction:
This chapter presents five effective prewriting techniques that will help you get
your ideas onto paper (or onto the computer). These techniques can help you
overcome the "blank-page jitters" that many people face when they first sit down
to write. You can also use them to generate new ideas at any point in the writing
process. Try all five to see which ones work best for you.
In addition, if you write on a computer, try prewriting in different ways: on
paper and on computer. Some writers feel they produce better work if they
prewrite by hand and only later transfer their best ideas onto the computer. Every
writer has personal preferences, so don't be afraid to experiment.
To navigate through this chapter's online resources, click the Prepare for Class, Improve Your Grade, and ACE the Test buttons in the blue sidebar on the left.
