TOPICS VS. IDEAS
ROUND 1
We need a sense of how narrow a topic needs to be for us to write about it. Roughly, let’s start with this example:
Topic: My dog
Ideas: She’s funny.
“I have a really funny dog named Boo. She is just hilarious. We laugh all the time at the stuff she does. My mom says she’s the funniest pet we’ve ever had. She chases all sorts of things–squirrels, cars, lights, my brother. She’s a really fun and funny pet.”
Ideas: What do you have to say?
The paper is clear and focused. It holds the reader’s attention. Relevant anecdotes and details enrich the central theme.
- Narrow, manageable topic
- Quality details go beyond the obvious or predictable
- Writing from experience–ideas fresh and original
So, back to the funny dog story. As a reader, we are unamused. We need to get solid ideas out there to communicate to the reader.
- Look! (And listen, touch, taste, smell…whatever!)
- Try to get the creative juices going.
There is the topic: dog. But really not any ideas. So lets decide on that.
- Boo runs until she is sick
- Chases lights from windows or water glass reflections or watches.
- Barks at the horses on TV
- Good at soccer, for a dog
- Ate mouse poison (eats everything!)
- Tries to get the laser pointer “red bug” and cries when she can’t
- Barks at real-life horses
- Tries to catch her own tail
These are really concrete examples about the dog that may be something to write about. Using examples like this, tell a story, an anecdote, to make your words come to life.
TAKE 1
The new topic can now change to:
My dog: Goofy or Gifted?
And the new ideas:
Mom says she’s not very smart because she does stuff like chase light on the floor and play ball until she gets sick, but I think that curiosity is a sign of serious smarts.
Now, a new take on the introduction to the essay:
“The debate probably started before Red Bug appeared, but it’s Red Bug that seems to be one of Mom’s big points in proving that my dog, Boo, isn’t the brightest crayon in the box. You see, when a dog is driven to crying because her best efforts aren’t helping her catch a dot of red laser light skimming across the floor, for some reason my Mom thinks that’s a sign the dog isn’t too bright. For me, though, Boo’s fascination with Red Bug is a sign of curiosity… and curiosity is a mark of intelligence. Sure, Boo’s “investigations” into her world aren’t exactly scientific–and they often make me laugh until I hurt!–but that doesn’t mean my puppy is on the slow side!”
This new introduction has more depth and examples. We can now also compare Boo with Red Bug, and the difference between how mother and daughter feel about this one dog.
IDEAS: WHERE’D WE GO RIGHT?
- We took a close look at our topic and brainstormed.
- We picked an angle.
- We got specific.
- We used anecdotes.
HOW DO WE KEEP GOING STRONG?
- Stay specific and highlight what makes Boo different from other dogs.
- Make everything point toward the debate between writer and her mother. But make sure this isn’t a sidetrack part, though it is a major part of the essay. Remember to stay clear.
- Stay away from stereotypes or universal stories. No one wants to read what one already knows.
WRAPPING IT UP: IDEAS AND CONTENT
- Take a close look– investigate with your senses until you realize what it is you actually want to say about your topic.
- Brainstorm–try more than one type of idea-generating. Webs, lists, freewrites, diagrams, and flow charts all work! Keep going until you have an idea that strikes you!
- Be specific and relevant in choosing details and examples.
