Here are some ways to get started on writing, experiment and find out what works best for you!

Freewriting

When you freewrite, you let your thoughts flow as they will, putting pen to paper and writing down whatever comes into your mind. No judging, no correcting, no filtering. That comes later. For now, let your stream of consciousness flow and see where it goes!

Organize your topic into levels

Consider your general topic and then organize it into natural sub-topics. If you are writing about your life you might organize it into time periods in your life, or family life and work life, or whatever organization makes sense to you.

Listing/bulleting

In this technique you jot down lists of words or phrases, perhaps multiple lists, to help organize your thoughts

3 perspectives

Sometimes we understand a thing better or differently, if we look at it from different perspectives. Here are three possible perspectives to use—

Describe it- What is unique about this topic and how is it similar to others?

Trace it- What is the history? What are the impacts of significant events?

Map it- How does this topic effect other things and how is it effected?

Cubing

Cubing calls for you to consider your topic from six different directions—

1. Describe it
2. Compare it
3. Associate it
4. Analyze it
5. Apply it
6. Argue for and against it

Similes

In this technique, complete the following sentence:

_________________ is/was/are/were like ________________. 

In the first blank put one of the terms or concepts your paper centers on. Then try to brainstorm as many answers as possible for the second blank, writing them down as you come up with them. After you have produced a list of options, look over your ideas. What kinds of ideas come forward? What patterns or associations do you find? Maybe it is time for a freewrite!

Clustering/mapping/webbing

Write your main topic in the center of a page or whiteboard, using just a word or two. Think of associated ideas and start jotting them in the space around your main topic. Write down related ideas, opposite ideas, examples, quotations, song lyrics, anything that comes to mind! After you finish writing down a lot of ideas, you can start circling your favorite ideas and grouping together similar ideas. You can probably use this information to begin organizing your thoughts or take these ideas and begin organizing into levels or making a list.

Adapted from the Writing Center at UNC