Listing is particularly useful if your starting topic is very broad, and you need to narrow it down. Making a list can help you develop ideas for writing once you have a particular focus. If you want to take a stand on a subject, you might list the top ten reasons why you’re taking that particular stand. Or, once you have a focused topic, you might list the different aspects of that topic.
Concept maps are a visual and verbal way to link together thoughts and ideas. It can be a good way to get started by getting thoughts on paper quickly. These ideas can be used as keywords during the research process.
Freewriting is just what it says—writing freely. It’s a way to free up your thoughts, help you know where your interests lie, and get your fingers moving on the keyboard (and this physical act can be a way to get your thoughts flowing).
Set a timer for five minutes. The object is to keep your fingers moving constantly and write down whatever thoughts come to mind, without caring about spelling, punctuation, etc. If you can’t think of anything to say, keep writing "I don’t know" or "this is silly" until your thoughts move on. If the first freewriting doesn't produce anything of value, that's alright! Take a break and then do another session. You can review all of your writings at the end and see if there is a common thread of interest.
Who?, What?, Where?, When?, Why?, and How? Better known as the five W's and an H, these questions can help you explore the topic you are writing about for an assignment. A key to using the journalists' questions is to make them flexible enough to account for the specific details of your topic. Not every topic will have a who or a where. Focus on the questions that matter most to your topic.
Possible generic questions you can ask using the six journalists' questions follow:
1. Plan your chart
Drawing your map on paper before using Word may decrease your work time by creating a simple planning guide. This design should include all sections and connecting elements planned for your chart. Making appropriate adjustments now, including changing segment positioning, may minimize error correction later when using Word.
2. Open Word and create a page
Open your copy of Microsoft Word and click on "Create New Page." Use the "Layout" tab to adjust margin, header or text settings before creating the concept map. This may minimize more complex adjustments later. Choose an easy-to-read text font, like Times New Roman or Courier, for the labels on the chart.
3. Open the Illustrations section
Click on the "Insert" tab on your new page's top menu. Select "Illustrations" from the new drop-down menu and "Shapes" from the next sub-menu. When you open this section, the circles, rectangles, arrows and lines you may need for your chart appear.
4. Create map shapes
Click on the shapes you want to create from this drop-down menu and draw each on your Word page with the mouse. The program should automatically maintain your desired shape as you change its size and positioning on the page. Draw your map's segments in this way, following your drawn chart's design.
5. Label each section
Position your text bar within the main point on your map. Type its labeling text here, centering it in the box to minimize reading problems. Repeat this process with each segment, double-checking all text for typos and errors.
6. Add connecting lines
Draw lines between each connected chart segment to illustrate their interconnected nature. Adding arrowheads to a line end may show the relationships between each chart item. For example, a line pointing from one subsection to another shows that the first segment influences the second. These relationships may include variations on the primary point or evidence supporting it.
7. Save, print or share the file
When finished, click on "Save File As" and type a name for your file. You can now select "Print," select a printer and create a physical copy. You may also share your file by attaching and sending it via email or uploading it to shared cloud folders and sending the share link to others.
1. Plan your chart
Drawing your map on paper before using Google Slides may decrease your work time by creating a simple planning guide. This design should include all sections and connecting elements planned for your chart. Making appropriate adjustments now, including changing segment positioning, may minimize error correction later when using Google Slides.
2. Open Google Drive and create a Presentation
Visit Google Drive and click New > Google Slides. You can remove all text on the slide by going to Slide > Apply Layout > Blank.
3. Insert a Diagram
Click Insert > Diagram > Relationship. Choose whichever option suits your needs. You can change the number of "layers" with the dropdown menu at the top.
4. Label each section
Type each sections labeling text, centering it in the shape to minimize reading problems. Repeat this process with each segment, double-checking all text for typos and errors.
5. Save, print or share the file
When finished, click on "Save File As" and type a name for your file. You can now select "Print," select a printer and create a physical copy. You may also share your file by attaching and sending it via email or uploading it to shared cloud folders and sending the share link to others.