Page 56 - English Grammar and Composition-Student Textbook short

Study Section 16: Prewriting

16.1 Connect

As was discussed in the previous lesson, prewriting is the most important part of the writing
process. It is the plan and map for your writing. Imagine setting off on a long journey across
your country with no map or GPS. You could easily take the wrong road and end up far from
your destination. You could even end up travelling in circles! This is exactly what happens
when there is no plan for your writing. You could get off track or even needlessly repeat
parts of your argument. Your prewriting is a planned route that will keep you on the road to successful
writing.

16.2 Types of Prewriting

Brainstorming
Brainstorming is the process of listing information about a topic by writing down whatever
comes to mind.
 Do not worry about whether the idea makes sense, just make a list.
 After the ideas have been exhausted, items can be put into groups.
 Each group can be titled and the groups can be used to develop subtopics under a main topic.

Thinking Maps
Thinking maps are ways to see visually how ideas are linked together or related.
 Circle Map- defining in context
 How are you defining this thing or idea? What is the context? What is your frame of reference?
Something you need more ideas about would go in the inner circle. Things that describe that
thing would go in the outer circle. The square frame provides the following information about
the topic:
• How do you know what you know about this topic?
• Did your information come from a specific source?
• Is this information being influenced by a specific point of view?
• Who could use this information?
• Why is this information important?

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