Written Communication Toolkit

Idea generators

Idea generators can stimulate the writing process by helping the writer to:

• Discover more ideas;
• Discover new paths or slants;
• 'Kick-start' your brain;
• Prevent or dissolve writer's block; and
• Manage time more effectively.

Idea generators include:

Brainstorming - write down all ideas about a topic. Do not censor or edit any idea.

Freewriting - just start writing anything about the topic without any regard to structure, spelling, or grammar.

Flow Charting - construct a formal chart with major points and arrows signifying flow of information.

Mapping - write topic in centre of page, and box it. Put other boxes around page and draw lines to link ideas to topic.

Fishboning - use a sequence of lines instead of mapping boxes. Use main line as subject, and draw branches, or bones, to show how other ideas link to main topic.

Petelin, R., & Durham, M. (1994). The Professional Writing Guide . Sydney: Longham Professional,
pp. 35-41.

Thesis statement

"A thesis statement puts forward the point of view or organising idea for an essay."

Davis, L., & McKay, S. (1996). Structures and Strategies: An Introduction to Academic Writing. South Melbourne: Macmillan, p. 76.

A thesis statement can be true or false, but must be able to be supported by evidence. Give students lots of practice in summarising an entire essay or written assignment into one thesis statement which is unambiguous, controversial and above all, 'provable.'