Conceptualizing Your Essay

Most essays begin with a germ of an idea which the writer then develops into a full-fledged thesis and supporting arguments.

Strategies for exploring a topic include brainstorming, free writing, creating an issue tree, clustering, and asking the journalist's
questions.

brainstorming: involves putting as many ideas on the table as possible within a specified time. It can be done with a group of people or in solitude. For five minutes, list the words and phrases you associate with your topic; then share them with others or, if you are alone, read through the list; add to it; and analyze it for patterns or a major idea.

variation: after compiling your list, circle the three items that most intrigue you and write a paragraph about each. Then ask three questions about each paragraph. Now choose the paragraph that most interests you and list two ways of beginning your essay.

free writing: a less structured form of brainstorming. Think about your topic; then write continuously for ten minutes; record everything that comes to mind without censoring any word or phrase--no matter how seemingly nonsensical. Now reread, looking for a central idea.

to narrow your topic: repeat this process several times. Take the central idea from the previous free write and write about it for ten minutes. Reread to discover the new central idea then repeat.

creating an issue tree: write the central idea of the topic at the top of your page; underline it and then list related ideas down the left side. Beside each subheading, list related ideas.

clustering: provides a non-linear diagram of your thinking about the topic. Write the central term of the topic in the center of the page and circle it. Then list related ideas in a circle around the central term. Enclose each related idea in a circle and draw lines to connect the circles to the center.

the journalist's questions: list the following questions down the left side of the page and then answer each one: who, where, when, why, how. Reporters ask these questions as a means of gathering the essential facts for a news story and also organize their articles in terms of these questions.

Callaway North 205A | (404) 727-0886


	Conceptualizing Your Essay Most essays begin with a germ of an idea which the writer then develops into a full-fledged thesis and supporting arguments. Strategies for exploring a topic include brainstorming, free writing, creating an issue tree, clustering, and asking the journalist's questions. brainstorming: involves putting as many ideas on the table as possible within a specified time. It can be done with a group of people or in solitude. For five minutes, list the words and phrases you associate with your topic; then share them with others or, if you are alone, read through the list; add to it; and analyze it for patterns or a major idea. variation: after compiling your list, circle the three items that most intrigue you and write a paragraph about each. Then ask three questions about each paragraph. Now choose the paragraph that most interests you and list two ways of beginning your essay. free writing: a less structured form of brainstorming. Think about your topic; then write continuously for ten minutes; record everything that comes to mind without censoring any word or phrase--no matter how seemingly nonsensical. Now reread, looking for a central idea. to narrow your topic: repeat this process several times. Take the central idea from the previous free write and write about it for ten minutes. Reread to discover the new central idea then repeat. creating an issue tree: write the central idea of the topic at the top of your page; underline it and then list related ideas down the left side. Beside each subheading, list related ideas. clustering: provides a non-linear diagram of your thinking about the topic. Write the central term of the topic in the center of the page and circle it. Then list related ideas in a circle around the central term. Enclose each related idea in a circle and draw lines to connect the circles to the center. the journalist's questions: list the following questions down the left side of the page and then answer each one: who, where, when, why, how. Reporters ask these questions as a means of gathering the essential facts for a news story and also organize their articles in terms of these questions. Callaway North 205A \| (404) 727-0886