Getting an essay question can be stressful, especially when you don’t know much about the topic. It can be hard to think of an original, interesting idea you can use to show how much you’ve learned in class. That’s where brainstorming comes in. The word “brainstorming” was invented in the 1930s by advertising executive Alex Faickney Osborn, but the concept of trying to think of a large number of ideas in order to pick the best one goes back much farther than that.
When you get stuck trying to think of ideas, there are a few simple tricks you can use to help you get creative.
1. Free-Association. Look at the essay question and write down the first five words that spring to mind. These need to be nouns and need to be related to the topic, so “retarded” and “stupid” don’t count! Do any of your words spark ideas? Are there connections? Can you combine your words into a more complex, interesting topic?
2. Background Research. Try plugging concepts from the essay question into Google or Wikipedia. See what you find. Actually read the article and see if anything strikes you as especially interesting or noteworthy. If so, think about whether that would make a good topic. (Note: use Wikipedia to generate ideas, but don’t use it as a source for your paper.)
3. Build on What You Know. If you already know something about the topic, think about areas you want to know more about. Try to think about how the essay topic relates to you and your experience. Writing an essay is always more fun when you’re actively engaged with the material.
Trying out a few of these tips and tricks on your next essay can help you produce more creative and engaging essays—and just possibly earn you higher grades!
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