BRAINSTORMING

GENERATING IDEAS FOR WRITING TASKS

1. Look at the essay title and match the different methods of generating ideas to their definitions.

TITLE: The advantages of studying a foreign language

Methods Definitions
A. Brainstorming ( ) Use online article or information from
B. Key words and phrases newspapers and magazines to help you generate
C. Using text-based sources ideas.
D. Using visual information ( ) Write ‘studying a foreign language’ in the
centre of a piece of paper and write down as many
ideas connected with this as you can think of. Do
not exclude ideas, positive or negative.

( ) Research images, video clips, or data online or

in the media associated with studying a foreign
language, and note down key ideas or information.

( ) Make a list of nouns or brief phrases that you

associate with studying a foreign language.

2. Look again at the methods in 1 above. Which one works best for you when you have to write a
paper or prepare for a presentation?

CREATING SIMPLE PLANS FOR WRITING TASKS

3. Match essay titles A–C to plans I–III.

A. The benefits of being able to use a computer ( )
B. The factors which make young people choose a particular career ( )
C. The disadvantages of not having access to the internet ( )

1
 4. Think of two topics in your research area – topics you would like to present or write about – and
create two plans similar to the one below.

Suggestion: use https://bubbl.us/ to create your plans OR create a list of key words and
expressions related to the topic.

Example:

Source: Nucli IsF UFMG

Adapted from: De Chazal, E., & McCarter, S. (2012). Oxford EAP: a course in English for academic purposes. Upper-
intermediate/B2. Oxford University Press.