Lets get some ideas

After you have figured out what it is that you are suppose to do--from the prompt, now you have to start collecting ideas.

Start writing down words that are connected to this prompt. Take a piece of paper and start writing listing, any way you want. Put those words down on the paper. Too many times I have heard students say "Oh, I'll remember those points" -- that is until you face a clean white page and suddenly you have a "brain freeze." Put it down on paper now. Especially if this is an "In class essay." Write the list on the inside cover of your blue book.

Remember: Write fast! Something about writing fast just opens the gates.

Now pick out three of the most important points. I put a circle around them. Then I start listing important things you need to know about those three points. Don't look for perfection at this time.

Example:
Bicyle Safety
Three points I could think of that are important: 1. Look for cars around you, 2. Safe places to park my bike and 3. Law says I have to have a helmet.

OK. Now I have to list some points on each item. #1 -- Look around for cars -- careful when riding on the street someone can open a car door in front of you, a car could back out of the drive way and not see you, and stop at intersections (Try to keep it at three)
#2 -- Safe places to park my bike -- a bike rack, enclosed lockers, and maybe a tree (Remember we are brainstorming. You can go back and change it later. Keep thinking!)
#3 -- Wear a helmet -- make sure it fits you, make sure you can still see without a problem, and make sure it fastens correctly.

Remember this is brainstorming -- not a time to worry about spelling or grammar. You are trying to get as much down as fast as you can. If you can only think of two things. List those two things. While you are writing you will remember more.

Don't shut the brain down trying to think of that thing, you know, that thing, darm I can't remember the name, it's on the tip of my tongue, I know it, I know it.

Stop that. If you can't think of names put down a color or shape or letter, and go on. It will come back to you.

This is not the time to worry about being neat. You are letting your brain do an information dump, and you just hope your hand can keep up with it. You are not going to use everything.

Once you have some ideas. Try to get it in three lists. Not four or five. Just three -- unless the prompt asks for more or less.

Now lets see if we can write a Topic Sentence.