A Concept Map of Good Writing

    What makes writing truly effective? In this blog post, I share a comprehensive concept map that explores the core principles of writing, the traits of high-quality work, and the vital role communication plays in our professional and personal lives. Writing is not just about putting letters on a page; it is a way to express and create, making an impact on the world and its readers.

    As we have seen, good writing is a really important skill in our world. Whether for academic, professional, or personal purposes, being able to express ideas clearly and correctly is what gives our voice impact.

Audio, steps of writting process

The Art of Brainstorming

Have you ever been in front of a blank page, waiting for inspiration that never comes? You're not alone! We have all been in the same boat. You have a deadline that's coming up, an empty word document in front of you, and you can't think of anything to put on paper. This is the worst feeling! For this reason, I have chosen to focus on the topic of Brainstorming for this assignment. I think that everybody thinks they know what Brainstorming is, and while this might be true, my research shows that I have personally been doing Brainstorming all wrong most of my life.

Let’s Go Back to the Beginning The concept isn't exactly new! It was first popularized in the 1950s by an advertising executive named Alex Osborn, and he based this information on the book he wrote titled: Applied Imagination. In his book he explains why it is impossible to create and critique simultaneously, and that you will be immobilized if you try to come up with a “perfect” idea at the same time as thinking about your ideas.

The one principle that stood out to me was this: Quantity Versus Quality. The objective is not to come up with “one” great and perfect idea; it's to come up with “50” ideas, with the expectation that 49 of the ideas will be less than great. You must “suspend judgment” of your own ideas for this!

How to Actually Use It 

• In Creative Writing: This is where I find it most useful. When I'm stuck on a character name or a plot twist, I just set a timer for 5 minutes and "brain dump." I write down everything like, clichés, nonsense words, etc. For example, if I need a villain's name, I might write down "Shadow," "Darkness," "Spike"... all boring. But then, idea #20 might be "Vex," which sounds cool. You have to clear out the obvious ideas to get to the unique ones.

• Solving Problems: Think about group projects. Usually, someone suggests an idea and someone else immediately says, "That won't work." Brainstorming stops that. It forces the group to say "Yes... Let’s see" instead of "No." so everyone contributes pieces.

• Starting a New Project: Before opening PowerPoint, grab a piece of paper or grab a board and markers. Draw your main topic in the center and just draw lines to related words (Mind Mapping). It’s technically a visual brainstorm. It helps you see connections you didn't know were there.

Final Thoughts The biggest lesson I learned is that we need to stop being so hard on ourselves at the start of a process. Brainstorming gives you permission to be messy. And honestly, the most polished, professional projects usually start as a very messy list of random thoughts.    

Brainstorming audio