If you like to think visually or want a way of seeing how your ideas fit together, try one of these methods. Mapping ideas can have the advantage of showing how one idea connects with others, and these connections can become the basis for a rough outline. Then draw lines branching off from the main topic into ideas, examples, people, places, things, activities, attitudes, emotions, or anything else that comes to mind about your topic. Then start labeling parts of the picture with your ideas and observations. Ask yourself what tone is appropriate for your purpose and audience.
Some writers discover most of their ideas during the act of writing.
If you start writing with a discovery draft, you may find you will have to do more revision than someone who follows the process of listing ideas, making an outline, and then writing a rough draft. And this is fine as long as you are honest with yourself and do the necessary revision. If you do a discovery draft, consider making a post-draft outline to help you organize the ideas, find weak spots, and make revision easier to manage. Keep a journal. Like an artist's portfolio, a journal is your storehouse of ideas for writing.