What does it mean to “brainstorm” ideas for an essay?

What does it mean to “brainstorm” ideas for an essay?

After selecting a topic, spend some time thinking about what you already know about the topic.  Then, think about questions you have about the given topic. Brainstorming is combining what you already know about a chosen topic and what you still want/need to know in order to write the essay.  Organize your thoughts into similar categories using either a list, a web, or a mindmap.  Listed below are two online tools you can use to help brainstorm your ideas.


Brainstorming Tools: 


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