Brainstorming is a great way to jump-start your writing flow. It does not require any strenuous thought, and there are no time limits. Whether you have too much of a perspective Paraphrasing tool on a topic, or not enough, a very helpful strategy I often use is to write the topic, and then write whatever comes to my mind about it. I do not focus on grammar, spelling and punctuation when I brainstorm. Sometimes I end up writing about things that have nothing related to the topic at all and guess what… that is okay! The goal is to loosen up the creative “thinking muscles”, and get started.
For example:
Topic: Ice Cream
Brainstorm: cold, sweet, hmm, yummy, oh so article rewriter tool good, fattening, creamy, comforting, filling, not filling, uhh etc.
You get the point; just write out whatever words come to your mind. Next, review those words, and jot down why you chose those words.
Cold- because it is cold sometimes; it tastes good all the time but in summer it is not cold outside
Sweet-because it can be sweet depending on the flavor; I like cotton candy
Hmmm-because it makes me go hmm when I eat it, I can taste it now
This simple exercise can help you pull out what you feel about a topic, why you feel that way, and what position you want to defend.
Paraphrasing
Paraprasing is repeating, or re-stating what you just read, or saw in your own words. It is a great exercise to do because it allows you to get more familiar with the topic, and more familiarity to a topic can translate to more confidence in writing, or speaking if you have to deliver a speech or report. Imagine that you have just watched a great movie, and your good friend asked you what happened in it. You probably will not recite word for word what happened in the movie because first, it would be difficult to do so (unless you have a photographic memory), and second, it would be a boring way to share your version. Instead, you summarize the movie, discuss the highlights, and add your own commentary as you go along. Paraphrasing is very similar to this concept. After reading a chapter, an article, or any form of research you have gathered, pause, and take a minute to think about what you just read. Use these questions to help guide you:
– What are the authors trying to convey?
– Did I like the material? If not why, If yes, why?
– Do I agree, or disagree with what the authors are saying?
– Would I recommend or change anything?
Conduct this exercise immediately after you read an article when you have the material fresh in your mind.
Proofreading
Although it may seem like a very small step, proofreading your work has significant benefits. I can’t share with you how many times I wrote an article, or piece, and felt that I read and re-read it so thoroughly that I could not have possibly missed anything only to be gravely disappointed the next day. Sometimes though, when there is a time crunch or deadline, proofreading with the right conditions is not always an option. It is important to plan and use time management wisely in order to give yourself sufficient time to proofread. The following tips have helped me improve communications over the years: