Whether the topic is assigned or not, writers need to examine what they are being asked to do, such as inform or persuade, and their audience. Brainstorming can be done alone or in groups with the goal of coming up with as many ideas as possible. Techniques like listing and free writing can generate ideas, which can be classified and organized, suggests Mary Guffey in her book "Business Communication: Process and Product."
Sometimes assignments require writing about unfamiliar topics. Prewriting allows writers to explore topics so they can write about them with more authority. Asking questions about the topic and writing down the answers helps writers discover what interests them most about the topic and suggests areas to conduct further research. Common questions to ask are who, what, where, when, why and how. Mind maps and drawings can help writers not only generate ideas, but add to them.
A writer's journal helps document writers' reflections and reactions, all of which can be inserted into a paper. Annotating texts and creating double-sided journal entries, where writers enter key quotes and their initial responses, help writers single out ideas to expand upon. Recording your own feelings is a way to "give your ideas room to grow," state X.J. Kennedy, Dorothy Kennedy and Martha Muth in their book "Writing and Revising: A Portable Guide."
Prewriting leads to invention. Oftentimes the act of writing will produce more writing. Instead of staring at a blank page, writing anything, even if off topic, is better than nothing. Timed free writing works well to unclog the mind. Set a timer for five minutes and write whatever comes to mind, without giving thought to spelling, grammar or the information's usefulness. Examine what you've come up with for useful ideas.