The following section defines terms, explains the value of the writing that results, and, where possible, credits sources. Brainstorming collects, in writing, all ideas generated by an individual or group charged with a given topic. Brainstorming provides students with an abundance of ideas about a given subject, showing them how many perspectives are possible.
Clustering helps arrange ideas that have been generated by brainstorming.
Clustering organizes bits of information into forms that show their relationship. Like nutshelling, this strategy leads to evaluative thinking. Focused writing invites writers to concentrate on a single topic during nonstop writing of specified duration. Like brainstorming, focused writing enables students to see how much they have to say on a given subject. Free writing emphasizes fluency by asking writers to write continously for a specified period of time.