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Brainstorm and Explore Topics

A guide to brainstorming and exploring topics

What is brainstorming?

Brainstorm and Explore Topics

These are the first steps in the Research Process - and this guide is aimed at helping you get started with that process! Use the tabs to the left to navigate the pages of this guide.  

Brainstorming, mindmaps, and concepts maps are terms that are often used interchangeably. They all refer to a quick, simple technique for generating and focusing ideas and making connections between concepts. 

When brainstorming, don't worry about grammar, spelling, or formatting initially. Just jot down ideas until you can't think of anymore, then go back and make connections between the ideas. If an idea appeals to you, make it the center idea on a new piece of paper and brainstorm more details.

 

Brainstorming can help you develop an idea for a topic or thesis and identify questions and keywords. 

Video: The power of brainstorming

Video source: "The Power of Brainstorming" video by Clark College Libraries, 2016

Examples of Brainstorming

Mind Map

Here's an example of a mindmap, in a more free-flowing, informal method of getting ideas down on paper. 

(click on image to enlarge)

Example of a concept map/mind map

Image source: Figure 5.3.1 from 5.3 Defining the Scope of your Project, Technical Writing Essentials, by Suzan Last, CC BY 4.0

Problem-Based Concept Mapping

This concept map example shows a more specifically problem-based approach to concept mapping, with the general idea and finding areas of potential focus.

(click on image to enlarge)

Problem-solving concept map example

Image source: Figure 5.3.2 from 5.3 Defining the Scope of your Project, Technical Writing Essentials, by Suzan Last, CC BY 4.0

Use a Chart for Your Brainstorming

Click below to download your own "Search Word Brainstorming Chart."

Keep this chart with you to help you search more effectively!

Structured Brainstorming

This example below demonstrates a more formal example of brainstorming to go from a:

research question or broad topic --> identifying main concepts --> to narrower, related keywords and topics 

  1. State your research question/topic

    • Example: "How do cigarette companies target children with their advertising?"

  2. Extract main concepts:

    • CONCEPT #1 CONCEPT #2 CONCEPT #3
      cigarettes children advertising

  3. Brainstorm key words:

    •   CONCEPT #1 CONCEPT #2 CONCEPT #3

      BRAINSTORM

      KEYWORDS

      cigarettes

      smoking

      chew

      tobacco

      smokeless tobacco

      nicotine

      smoking industry

      big tobacco

      children

      child

      adolescents

      adolescence

      teens

      teenagers

      students

      youth

      advertising

      ads

      advertisements

      marketing

      commercials

      promotions

      television spots

      product placement

Keywords can be:

  • synonyms
  • related terms
  • broader ideas
  • narrower ideas
  • alternate spellings
  • specific examples
  • abbreviations or acronyms

This guide was adapted, with permission, from the "Brainstorm and Explore Topics" libguide developed by Clark College Libraries.

Note: This guide was last reviewed in April 2025. See errors? Have feedback or suggestions? Click on the "Get Help" tab in this guide to contact us and let us know!

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Except where otherwise noted, the content in these guides by Tacoma Community College Library is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
This openly licensed content allows others to cite, share, or modify this content, with credit to TCC Library. When reusing or adapting this content, include this statement in the new document: This content was originally created by Tacoma Community College Library and shared with a CC BY SA 4.0 license.

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