Methods of collecting information

Brainstorming

• Everyone suggests ideas and someone records them. Stopping to evaluate an idea is not allowed, to avoid interfering with the flow of ideas. Even irrelevant information can cause someone to think of an important fact.
• If people run out of ideas, read the list aloud but without evaluating the items. New ideas may result.
• When people have stopped thinking of new ideas, examine the list and delete what does not belong. Add any missing details and create examples.

Clustering

• Write down the general or central topic in the middle of a large sheet of paper. Around this general topic, write subtopics allowing space to list ideas for each subtopic. The final product will resemble a spider web.
• Once each subtopic has been fully explored, go back to the main idea to review or add. When you have run out of information, establish links among the ideas and delete the irrelevant.
• Use what remains as a basis for your outline.

Free Writing

• Begin to write what you might want to include. Let your mind wander. As with brainstorming, you might find that your free associations produce good ideas and examples.

Keeping a Journal

• If you have some time before you need to produce your document, you could start a notebook. Whenever you have a few spare minutes, jot down your thoughts.