Brainstorming

Last updated: 25 Oct 2006

Too many test-takers just start writing as soon as they have finished reading the essay topic/question (or even before they finish reading).

One of the big dangers of doing this is that it is easier than one might think to misunderstand what the essay exactly is about, and then write something completely off-topic. If you happen to so this, you run the risk of getting a 0 score for that essay.

You should take at least a couple of minutes in order to understand what is being asked of you and to jot down some ideas on how you will approach this essay.

Let's assume this is your essay topic in an analysis of an issue problem:

"Trust is a key ingredient in successful business relations".

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.

We recommend that you take 2-4 minutes to consider and note down what you are going to write.

First, you determine you are going to agree with and support the statement.

Second, you jot down some points on your noteboard, usually in a short-hand version for yourself:

• buyers must trust suppliers in order for deliveries to happen
• clients must trust lawyers, patients doctors
• businesses must trust credit card company to pay them
• credit card companies must trust cardholders to pay them
• cardholders must trust credit companies not to overbill them
• Francis Fukuyama book: Trust
• My uncle's store: clientele through mutual trust

Next page: Organize your essay