Thinking to Writing: How to Generate Ideas1

Step 1: Begin with significance (picking out a theme)

A) Identify the themes/concepts that you addressed in class or addressed in the prompt for your final assignment of the year

B) Pick a passage from the text that comes to mind, any passage that stands out (remember it stands out for a reason).

C) Now try to find a theme/concept from on that may be relevant to that passageEnglish:

9th grade: you will likely focus on a concept you’ve discussed in class that you’re most comfortable with10th grade: themes you have identified and discussed in class11th grade: close reading element

D) Write the theme at the top of the page

Step 2: Write a driving question

A) Derive a driving question from the prompt or your assignment. B) If you have a specific prompt, re-write that prompt as a question but focusing on the

theme/concept you identified.

Step 3: Write possible answers to your question

A) Your possible answers can turn into potential claimsB) Make sure your answers are inferences—that is opinions about

detail/theme/character/structure, etc.C) Make a long list, mind map, or do a focused free write. DO NOT worry about what is good or bad

yet. The backspace key is your enemy (like the idea-crushing panda).

1 Or: A Crash Course on Why Your Brain Is Not a Barren Field

Step 4: Gathering the evidence

It’s not time to delete any ideas yet. Let’s first gather some evidence from that passage and see what you come up with.

A) For each bullet point or inference that you made, find evidence in the passageB) Any bullet points or inferences for which you can’t find evidence stay in the brainstorming,

meaning idea-Panda can have them for dinner if he wantsC) Best evidence are the bullet points you will use to then build a plan for your essay/writing

assignment. This depends on the length:a. Freshmen: 1 paragraph should have 1 to 2 bullet points which become your supporting

points for the topic sentenceb. Sophomores: around 5 paragraphs, you want 3-4 bullet points with supporting evidence

that will form the basis for your body paragraphs. c. Juniors: multiple paragraphs: 4-6 bullet points with the best evidence

So how do I get to a cohesive answer to my driving question (i.e. the thesis)?

Find the connection between your bullet points and evidence. They should be related to the theme. That will become your thesis.

What if it’s an in-class assignment?

Practice this process at home. The goal is to internalize it (remember plasticity and how our brain learns through practice? Yup, that’s it).