How to brainstorm essay ideasStep 1 – Find a topic

What topic do you wish to write about?

Main point 1 Main point 2 Main point 3

Your premise

What’s the issue within the topic?

• Find a topic that interests you and you want to invest time in writing about!

• Find a topic you have at least some knowledge about

How to brainstorm essay ideasStep 2 – what’s the issue?

World War II

Main point 1 Main point 2 Main point 3

Your premise

What’s the issue within the topic?

• An issue is a problem, criticism, or an interesting concept about the topic you wish to write about

• Be sure to not make the issue too broad or too narrow – make it something that’s easy to formulate opinions about!

How to brainstorm essay ideasStep 3 – What points do you want to make?

World War II

Main point 1 Main point 2 Main point 3

Your premise

Was it right for the U.S. to drop the bomb on Japan?

• Research the issue you wish to discuss, then formulate your own opinions and ideas

• Gather sources to back up your points, and DO NOT plagiarize! If an idea is not your own, give it proper citation!

How to brainstorm essay ideasStep 4 -- Premise

World War II

Effects of the bomb Alternatives to dropping the bomb

What if the bomb wasn’t dropped?

Your premise

Was it right for the U.S. to drop the bomb on Japan?

• Now that you have your main ideas, it’s time to formulate your premise, or your main point about the issue

• The premise is the main idea you are trying to get across to your readers – your argument

• It’s usually stated within the introduction and beefs up the conclusion – drive your point home!