EVEN THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED WRITERS can experience "fear of the blank page".  

 

But these time-tested, expert idea-generation methods will help

you overcome the even the biggest writer's blocks and get started:

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LISTING/BRAINSTORMING

List all thoughts and ideas that come to your mind.  Then group them based on logical connections.

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FREEWRITING/JOURNALING

Similar to listing and brainstorming, write all your thoughts about the topic and assignment with little regard for spelling, grammar, or "correctness".  Then group ideas based on logical connections.

 

QUESTIONING

Ask questions relevant to the topic.  What, where, when, who, how, why, what if, etc.  

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RESEARCHING

Perhaps using those questions, research the topic.  Researching may give you more ideas with which you can dialogue or even cite in your own essay.  

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CLUSTERING/MIND-MAPPING

Connect ideas using shapes to represent big ideas, little ideas, etc.

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OUTLINING

Use symbols, letters, numbers to indicate headings, sub-headings, and details---big ideas, little ideas, supporting points

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