Prewriting
Prewriting is actually about thinking—we think through ideas before we write. We may organize these ideas if we need to. This section includes both thinking and organizing strategies for prewriting.
Writers do not have to use all these strategies or even use them in order. They can pick and choose the ones that will work best for them as writers and for their writing purposes.
Prewriting Strategies
These strategies may work better with beginning writers or for more informal purposes:
- Freewriting
- Brainstorming:
- Question strategy
- List strategy
These strategies may work better with more experienced writers or for more formal purposes:
- Venn diagrams
- Mind maps (also called spider maps or cluster strategy)
- Outlines
Freewriting
Start writing without stopping to help get ideas flowing—no editing allowed!
Brainstorming
Come up with ideas by asking questions or making lists—just write what comes to mind.
Venn Diagrams
Use tools like Venn diagrams to see how ideas relate to each other.
Mind Maps
Use tools like mind maps to see how ideas relate to each other.
Outlines
Organize ideas from big picture to small details before you start writing.
Pro Tip
Do all prewriting on a crumpled-up piece of paper so that the writer knows
prewriting doesn’t need to be perfect—it’s not being handed in to anyone!