Success with WritingOnline Workshop

Part 6: Brainstorming and Planning

Created by: Jane Mangano

What is next?

• Brainstorm for supporting evidence and examples.

• What questions do I need to explore in order to support my arguments?

Why is brainstorming so important?

• Write a few sentences answering this question: Why is brainstorming so helpful as you create your provisional plan?

Answer• Why is brainstorming an important step?• Brainstorming gives you the beginnings of a writing plan – at a time

when you are close to the question and therefore less likely to miss parts of it.

• You should notice a central theme or argument emerging.• This process also helps you to focus your research by raising more

specific questions to answer (this helps to minimise unfocused meandering through the set reading).

• It further helps by giving you some ideas about what you might want to write about. Keep in mind that, as you discover more about the topic, your ideas will shift and change. This is part of the process.

• http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/asu/download/Writing-TertiaryEssayWriting-booklet.pdf

A question ...

• Why is it a good idea to have developed a provisional plan before you begin your research?

Aaaggghhh!!!

Without a provisional plan you run the risk of becoming overwhelmed by information overload!

An example

• Discuss and evaluate the legal approach to euthanasia and criminal responsibility in Victoria. (2000 words)

• Where would you begin if you didn’t have a plan?

• What would you search for?

Provisional Plan• Introduction (150 words).• 2. Discussion of the current state of the law on euthanasia and

criminal responsibility in Victoria (400 words).• 3. Evaluation of the current situation• A. What are the problems with the current law? What/who are

the drivers of reform? Include detailed discussion of the most recent/influential case (600 words).

• B. What reform proposals are there? Are they viable? How have these problems been addressed elsewhere? What conclusions/ recommendations can I make about the current state of law (700 words)?

• 4. Conclusion (150 words). http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/asu/download/Writing-TertiaryEssayWriting-booklet.pdf

Time to have a go

• Take your provisional thesis statement.

• Use the brainstorm strategy to create a provisional plan.

• Fulltime study may impact upon mature age students socially, emotionally and financially.

Fulltime study may impact upon mature age students socially, emotionally and financially.

• Body Para 1: Social impacts• Do students lose touch with old

networks?• Do students develop new social

networks through uni?• Body Para 2: Emotional

impacts• Do students enjoy increased self

esteem when they achieve good marks?

• Do students experience lowered self esteem as they struggle with demands of university?

• Body Para 3: Financial impacts

• Are students’ incomes reduced when they return to study?

• Do students enjoy greater earning potential once they graduate?

• Conclusion• Negative impacts appear to be

short term. Appear to be long term positive impacts that make returning to fulltime study worthwhile.

Provisional means ‘provisional’

• Once you have done your research, it is likely your provisional plan will change and develop.

• That’s why it is called a ‘provisional’ plan ...

Find and evaluate resources

• Start with your reading list

• Visit the Library.• Ask for help.• Go to Library

workshops.

• How many references?• The more recent, the

better (general rule).

Note Taking

• Be selective• Point form• In your own words• Use your plan as a guide• Read critically• Adapted from University of Melbourne ‘Language and Learning

Skills Unit Tertiary Essay Writing’ • http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/asu/download/Writing-Tertiar

yEssayWriting-booklet.pdf

Know when to stop

• How do you know when to stop?

Create a plan ‘take two’

• Revisit your first plan• Do you need to change it? Add more main ideas or

supporting arguments/evidence/examples?• Revise what will be included in your introduction

(particularly the thesis statement)• What are your main ideas for each body paragraph?

What examples or evidence will you use to support each main idea?

• How will you conclude? Restatement of thesis? Recommendation? Prediction? Final comment?

First Draft

Having prepared so thoroughly, you WILL be okay!Follow your plan – some students like to write the body paragraphs first.Let your ideas flow, while following your plan. Don’t labour over grammar, spelling or presentation at this stage.If you really are struggling to write, you may need to go back to the planning stage.

Editing Checklist• Have you answered the question?• Is the introduction clear and effective?• Have you defined key words (if appropriate)?• Is the thesis clearly stated? Does the introduction provide a map of the

essay?• Does each body paragraph have a topic sentence? • Do all other sentences clearly support the topic sentence?• Have you used transition signals to link each body paragraph?• Is your conclusion clearly stated?• Are any sections repetitive?• Have you referenced all ideas throughout the essay?• Have you included a reference list?• Have you followed the correct referencing style?

Preparing the final draft

• Good idea to have a break before preparing the final draft.

• Check the format requirements – these should be in your unit outline.

• Proofread, proofread, proofread, proofread!!!• • Fill in the receipt at the bottom of the Cover Sheet.

• Collect the receipt and keep it in a safe place.

End of Part 6

Please ensure you have completed each of the tasks in section 6 online.