Brainstorming

Version 22.1 by Martina Wagner on 2026/04/27 14:31

Information

Before you start writing an essay, you need ideas.
Brainstorming helps you collect many thoughts before you begin to write.
There are many creative ways to do it – choose the ones that work best for you!

1.Mind Map – Organize Your Thoughts

Write your topic in the middle and draw lines to connect subtopics, like:
πŸ’‘ school – money – time – stress – experience – future
Add short notes or examples to each subtopic.
This helps you see which ideas belong together.

2. Think in Roles – Different Perspectives

Sometimes it helps to think from different points of view.
What would other people say about this topic?
A student: β€œI can earn my own money.”
A teacher: β€œIt’s hard to focus on schoolwork.”
A parent: β€œIt teaches responsibility.”

3.  The β€œIf…” Trick – Use Your Imagination

Creative questions can bring new ideas!
Example:
If you had a part-time job, what would it be?
If nobody worked during school, what would change?

4. Take one possible argument and ask β€œWhy?” five times.

Example: Fast food should be banned in schools.

  1. Why? It’s unhealthy.
  2. Why? Too much sugar/fat.
  3. Why? Doesn’t keep you satisfied.
  4. Why is that a problem? Leads to obesity.
  5. Why is that important? Affects concentration and school performance. 

5. β€œSPECS” to find different arguments

Social – how does it affect people and relationships?
Political – how do governments / laws react?
Economic – what about costs, jobs, money?
Cultural – traditions, values, identity?
Scientific / Environmental – technology, research, planet?
Handy sentence to remember: Strong People Explore Creative Solutions

Use the Why?-method and brainstorm β€œDiscuss if table football should be placed in general areas of schools.”

  1. Why?
    2. Why?
    3. Why?
    4. Why is it a problem?
    5. Why is it important?
Source   AG Englisch