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hit list
Brainstorm ideas in the form of a list. Start by writing your topic at the top of
the paper. Then divide the paper into three or four areas.
Next, start to brainstorm the main points or ideas you might want to explore,
putting one idea at the top of each area you marked off. Leave plenty of room
below each of those ideas to brainstorm and list your supporting points.
Learning to Canoe
MAIN IDEA 1: summer camp
-really wanted to go
-first time, needed tons of supplies
-didn’t know girls in cabin
MAIN IDEA 2: canoe lessons
-embarrassed because everyone
else knew what to do
-DON’T STAND UP!
-different strokes
MAIN IDEA 3: how I did it
-practice
-working with team
-Eagle Island!
Pencil
Point
Boost your brainstorming
by setting a timer for 5 or
10 minutes. Keep writing
ideas until the timer
beeps—without judging!
Just write down anything
that comes to mind as fast
as you can. When you’re
done, look for the best
ideas. There are some gold
nuggets in there!
question Yourself
Take a look at your topic, and think about the basic questions you want to answer
in your writing:
Brainstorm answers (when you know them) and think of new questions, too.
Learning to Canoe
WHAT? learning to canoe
WHO? me, along with summer camp
friends
WHERE? Camp Woodsy, on the lake
WHEN? this summer
WHY? wanted to try something new.
Also, cabinmates all knew how and
wanted me to canoe with them
HOW? lessons and practice
How did I FEEL?
-nervous at first, wanted to fit in
-embarrassed (fell out of canoe)
-proud to canoe to Eagle Island
Two More Questions
Whichever brainstorm techniques you try, make
sure to ask yourself two final questions:
What is the main idea
I want to share?
What is my job or
purpose for writing?
The first question is simple. It helps you choose the main idea you’re going to
write about before you actually start writing.
WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA I WANT TO SHARE?
I want to tell the story of how I learned to canoe.
The second question is a bit trickier. The
purpose of your writing is the job you want
it to do. It’s the why.
Writing can do lots of jobs, but three of the
most important are to . . .
A “piece” of writing (think PIE!) can do any or all of these jobs. For instance, a
newspaper article about the weather informs. A story about a magical princess
who uses her powers for good might entertain and persuade. A book review
informs and persuades. Think about your purpose before you begin writing.
WHAT IS MY PURPOSE FOR WRITING?
I want to show how I learned to canoe.
(I want to INFORM.)
I think how I learned to canoe makes a good story.
(I want to ENTERTAIN.)
As you move forward, keep your main idea and purpose
in mind to keep your writing on the right track!
Order, order
Use outlines to organize your ideas.
Making an outline helps you put your ideas in order before you start writing.
Think of it as a map showing how you’ll connect your brainstorm ideas, moving
from the beginning of your piece to the end. When you start writing, the outline
will keep you from getting stuck and wondering what should come next.
Here’s how:
Look at your brainstorm notes and decide which order to put your main
ideas in—from first to last, from beginning to middle to end.
Write each main idea in order and number it,
