This is an effective brainstorming method for writing short reports about familiar topics. It’s also a great way to brainstorm about a personal experience.
Mindmaps are especially effective with spatial and visual learners.
Graphic organisers such as the one above are worksheets that help you sort ideas and plan stories or report details.
Traditional graphic organisers come in grids, charts, or idea clouds. But they can also take on more fanciful shapes, such as hamburgers or robots.
Ask questions. For your story it's good to ask yourself questions, such as: What funny situations might a monster find himself in? Could he get stuck in an elevator? Could he have trouble learning to skateboard? Or maybe he looks silly—a pink monster who wants to be scary but only ends up making people laugh.
After tossing ideas around, you might say: OK. I’ve decided that Mike the Monster has bad breath. Why is having bad breath a problem? For the beginning of the story, let’s make a list of funny things that could happen because of his bad breath.
As you come up with possibilities, jot words and phrases on your whiteboard/paper.
Keep thinking about how to include humorous elements such as ridiculous situations and silly solutions.
Mike is a mess! What do you suppose would be some ways he could try to solve his breath problem?
What funny or ridiculous things could happen as he tries these different solutions?
Brainstorming is about throwing out ideas. Don’t worry whether an idea is good or bad; just keep talking/thinking about funny situations that could happen.
How do you want the story to end? What solves the problem?