Brainstorming

Version 8.1 by Martina Wagner on 2026/04/27 14:21

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