All writing, from essays to creative pieces, begins with an idea. However, it’s important for a writer to figure out early on what she wants to do with the idea and where she wants to take it over the course of her project. Prewriting is the stage in the writing process that allows a writer to flesh out her idea and turn it into a plan for a coherent document. While no two writers tackle prewriting the same way, there are a few proven methods that can help speed along this critical step.
Free Writing
Free writing is a tool writers use simply to get their ideas out onto paper. The point is not to write a full-blown draft, but just to focus attention on the topic and let what ideas come, come. There is no need at this point to over-think anything that you write down, but rather, just keep writing. Begin with a blank page and your idea or topic and free write continuously for five to ten minutes. You don’t even have to write complete sentences—just get every idea down, no matter what it is. Organization and mechanics will come later.
Clustering
Clustering is a technique that allows writers to map out their thoughts and connect them visually. By beginning with a general subject written in the center of a blank page, you can branch out into subtopics, and from the subtopics into supporting details. Connect each word or phrase to related items by drawing arrows between them, and soon you will have a topical map of your entire writing project. Clustering is an ideal prewriting method for situations with time constraints, such as timed writing assignments.
Outlining
Outlining is more structured than free writing or clustering, so many writers use this method in conjunction with others to further organize their thoughts and prepare them for drafting. As with clustering, outlining allows you to bring your ideas together into specific subtopics and details. Using bullet points or letters and numbers, write your subtopics flush with the margin, and indented under each one, write your supporting details. Use single words or phrases, or write a sentence outline that you can later turn into a first draft.
By trying out various methods of prewriting, writers learn which ones are most helpful to them in planning their writing projects. Some prewriting techniques work well for one writer but not for another. Every writer should remember one thing, though: the best writing is always well-planned.
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