Practice 1: Narrowing the topic and brainstorming ideas
Narrowing the topic
Technology
Technology → the Internet → streaming platforms → Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, Disney+ ⇒ narrowed down topic: "How streaming services affect our daily lives".
Parties
Parties → party venues + Covid-19 → the impact of Covid on party venues ⇒ narrowed down topic: "How party venues are not profitable anymore due to Covid-19".
Feminism
Feminism → women's right → the vote → suffragist organizations → Women's Social and Political Union ⇒ narrowed down topic: "The effect of the WSPU's campaign on women's suffrage".
Anime
Anime → Pokémon → video-games ⇒ narrowed down topic "How Pokémon video-games have shaped generations of kids".
Great Authors
Brainstorming ideas
Listing
Chinese Food
- Where or how to eat Chinese food:
- Chinese restaurants.
- Take away.
- Street markets.
- Dishes:
- Chow mein.
- Sweet and sour pork.
- Spring rolls.
- Fried rice.
- Rice three delights.
- Ingredients:
- Soy sauce.
- Tofu.
- Rice.
- Noodles.
Fashion
- Designers:
- Chanel.
- Giorgio Armani.
- Versace.
- Dolce and Gabbana.
- High street fashion:
- ZARA.
- Topshop.
- Forever21.
- Marks and Spencer.
- Primark.
- Supermodels:
- Kate Moss.
- Gigi and Bella Hadid.
- Cindy Crawford.
- Naomi Campbell.
Free Writing
Multiculturalism
Nowadays people should be more open minded, but it seems like the opposite is happening. Racism and homophobia are more present now than a few years ago, and not because they are disappearing. I think there is a tendency towards the extremes, there is very open minded people who do not care if you are white, black, gay or heterosexual, but then, there is those who would never accept and respect different cultures and ideologies. A few years ago people would be ashamed to look like they were racist or homophobic, but today they are actually proud of being like that. So, is it really possible to accept multiculturalism and enjoy it openly?
Clustering
Dancing
dancing lessons ← dancing styles ← DANCING → professional dancing → ballet ⇉
Ballet in pop culture ← Swan Lake, The Nutcracker ⇇ famous ballets ← BALLET → Classist? → Is ballet accesible for everyone?
Asking Questions
Short stories
- What are some great short stories? Edgar Allan Poe, for example, wrote some great short stories.
- Who reads short stories? Everyone! They are easy to read and understand for younger readers but more complex ones can be read by advanced readers.
- Where are short stories published? They can be published online, for free, or as books.
- When did they become more famous? Nowadays people lead very busy lives, so reading short stories is a good way of enjoying a good story but without committing to a longer book.
- How are short stories collected? They are usually part of a bigger book which contains lots of different short stories, might be related or not.
- Why do people enjoy short stories?
⟹ Why do people enjoy short stories?
Short stories are a quick read but that does not make them any less enjoyable. The world building is not as important as in a full length novel and that leaves more space for the characters and their stories to be told. The fact that they are usually easy and nice reads does not mean that they are only for children, adults can enjoy short stories to.
Cubing
Cinema: book and comic adaptations
- Describing: they have always been very popular, but a good book does not necessarily mean a good movie.
- Comparing: the enjoyment from watching the film vs the enjoyment from reading the book.
- Associating: what are some similarities between book and comic adaptations to the big screen?
- Analyzing: what makes a good adaptation? A good script, faithful to the original story, and a good cast that can bring the characters to life.
- Applying:
- Arguing: they are made to make money from the book fans / they are made so everyone can enjoy the great stories told in the books.