Structure: generating ideas/brainstorming

This topic will address the basics of communication through writing. While each individual will have a different approach to composing and a different writing style, it is necessary to understand the basics. This topic will demonstrate the basic process of composing. Following this process will help you to create compositions that are clear and logical. The topic will focus on an exposition text form. It is important to realise that what you learn about clarity and cohesion in this topic can be applied to all text types that you will be asked to compose. The message is simple. English is about communication. Effective communication is clearly understood by a responder.

Composition is much like a jigsaw puzzle. You have many ideas and you need to fit them together to make a coherent picture. This involves three major processes. Firstly, you need to generate your ideas, then you need to organise your ideas and then you need to write down your ideas. We will examine the entire process through an example question.

How important is the impact that Atticus Finch has on the themes in To Kill a Mockingbird? Answer in 1000 words.

Sample Question

Range	Students in this range:
11 - 15	compose an effective and appropriate exposition. make effective choices about language and content appropriate to purpose in order to present a strong and effective evaluation of a novel. demonstrate a clear understanding of language techniques and how it shapes meaning.
6 - 10	compose a sound exposition. make sound choices about language and content appropriate to purpose in order to present a sound evaluation of a novel. demonstrate a sound understanding of language techniques and how it shapes meaning.
1 - 5	compose a text that demonstrates an emerging understanding of the conventions of an exposition. make some relevant choices about language and content in order to present some analysis of a novel. demonstrate a developing awareness of language techniques and how it shapes meaning.

Sample Marking Guidelines.

Understanding the question and the guidelines

The first step in composing or response is analysing the question. This sample question requires you to demonstrate your knowledge of Atticus Finch and the themes of To Kill a Mockingbird.

You are also required to demonstrate your understanding of the impact that Atticus has on the themes.

The marking guidelines require demonstration of three things. These are:

• The ability to structure an exposition
• The ability to choose appropriate language
• An understanding of how language techniques shape meaning

Generating ideas/ the brainstorm

The generation of your ideas can be done through brainstorming.

Initial brainstorm

You will need to brainstorm everything that you know that relates to the question and the marking guidelines. You can structure this as a table.

The knowledge that you have been asked to demonstrate is as follows:

• Atticus Finch
• Themes
• The impact that Atticus has on the themes
• How the language techniques of the composer have made this relationship more effective

A table that you create might look like this:

ATTICUS

THEMES

RELATIONSHIP

TECHNIQUES

To fill in your table, it is probably easier to start with simple headings. These are the two columns 'Atticus' and 'themes'. The better your notes, the easier this will be. The notes used for this exercise are the notes on To Kill a Mockingbird on this website, in the English Texts subject. Using your knowledge and your notes, fill in all the points that you can think of.  The animation Atticus and themes columns provides an example of what your table might look like.

The important part of this composition is linking the two ideas. How does Atticus's character relate to the presentation of the themes? In the above animation there are already some links. The next step of your brainstorm is to single out the links and to copy them down. The animation Link your ideas provides an example of what your table might look like.

Notice that the subheadings in the relationship column follow the structure of the themes column. This is mostly because the theme column has fewer and broader points. This will make structuring the exposition easier.

Finally, we need to try to list some techniques. If you are not yet sure which techniques link, it does not matter. You could just list the techniques from your notes. The animation Techniques provides an example of what your table might look like.

Now the preliminary brainstorm is complete. You should have most of your ideas on paper. Note that you can cut bits out and add more as required, but this is a solid platform from which to organise your ideas.