Activity 1: Freewriting

When you freewrite, you write without worrying about spelling, grammar, punctuation, or what you say. Instead of staring at a blank page, you can use freewriting to generate ideas while you write.

Directions: Give yourself ten minutes to write about the following topics. Do not stop to think. If you don't know what to write, write "I don't know what to write," or repeat your last words until you get an idea. Keep the keyboard clicking!

• The biggest challenges facing teenagers today
• The things I dislike most about writing
• My favorite 20th-century invention

Activity 2: Questioning

• Why was my job waiting tables at the local coffee shop my favorite? (nice customers, good pay, a friendly boss, cute uniforms)
• What did the coffee shop look like? (big windows, shiny, polished countertops, big red booths, holiday decorations up all year round)
• How did I get the job? (One day I was in the coffee shop, enjoying a milkshake with my friends, when the owner approached the table. "Business is really good," he told us. "But two of my waitresses are leaving to go back to school. Do you know anyone who would like to work here?" I immediately said yes.)

Directions: Here are some topics for you to ask yourself questions about. Give yourself ten minutes to generate as many details as possible:

• The worst job I ever had
• The most peaceful place I know
• The most exciting day of my life

Activity 3: Making a List

Directions: This prewriting technique involves simply writing down, in list form, everything that comes to mind about a given topic. For practice, give yourself ten minutes to type as many details as you can about the following topic:

• What I hope to accomplish in the next four years

Activity 4: Making a Scratch Outline

Directions: Visit The New York Times and locate a short article about a topic that interests you. Try to imagine the outline the writer might have created before writing the article. Write the outline yourself.