Brainstorming a Paper Topic

1) Think about the kinds of subjects you like to talk about outside of class with friends, co-workers, parents and family, etc.

Make a list of these topics.

2) Complete the following "idea-starters"

     My friends and I like to argue about. . . .

     I think it is wrong when. . . .

     I wish I could convince (someone) that. . . .

     I am definitely opposed to. . . .

     (Someone) believes. . . .; however, I believe. . . .

     I think we should pass a law so that. . . .

3) Read through the newspaper and note the stories that particularly interest you. Think about why they interest you; is this an issue that you would like to know more about? one that you've been following in the news? one that you have a particular

expertise about? Make a list of these possible topics.

4) Choose one topic from the lists you made above. Spend a few minutes writing down words, ideas, and phrases that come to mind when you think of that topic. You may want to intuitively group certain words and ideas together, but don't spend time thinking about connections between them yet.

5) Spend 5-10 minutes "freewriting" about the topic in #4. Don't stop writing, even if you run out of things to say about the topic; in that case, write about anything that comes to mind (freewrites often include sentences along the order of "can't think of

anything else. . . .thinking. . . .let me see. . . . ummm. . . .oh, yeah, I remember now. . . ."). This is a way of thinking on paper, so don't worry about how your freewrite sounds--you're simply trying to generate ideas.