Visual Writing Reflection

             The writer’s toolbox was interesting because it broke up the idea of brainstorming into multiple groups when I usually just think of brainstorming as one thing.  The different kinds of brainstorming techniques that were mentioned were mind mapping, concept map, free writing, brain writing, and word lists.  The two techniques that we used in class for this project were mind mapping and word lists.  I think that word lists are more effective when you are working as an individual but I think mind mapping is an extremely effective way to brainstorm when working in a group.  I have done free writing in school before and it is a very good way to get ideas out of your head and onto paper very quickly.   This technique, however, is very disorganized and would work best if you used it and then organized the ideas in a concept map of some sort.  I think the concept map sounds like a really good way to brainstorm because it is the most organized and its like you are reflecting on your ideas as you produce them and connect them to other ideas on your map.