Final answer:
Brainstorming is an activity that encourages the generation of numerous ideas without initially worrying about quality, thus fostering creative behavior. It is the first step in the recursive writing process, leading to prewriting activities that help develop initial ideas. These ideas are then refined through drafting and revision.
Step-by-step explanation:
Brainstorming: The Key to Creative Quantity
An activity that fosters creative behavior with an emphasis on quantity over quality is brainstorming. This technique is used to discover topics, ideas, positions, and details rapidly without the immediate pressure of being critical about the ideas generated. The brainstorming process allows you to freely explore and jot down all your thoughts, which can later be refined and organized.
Prewriting and The Writing Process
The writing process is recursive and often begins with prewriting activities like brainstorming. This stage is crucial as it helps in developing a writer's initial ideas and sets the foundation for the subsequent phases of writing, such as drafting, collaborating, and revising. As writers engage with different viewpoints and subject matter, brainstorming fosters a creative exploration that is essential for a robust writing process. The goal is to generate a vast array of ideas that can be narrowed down and refined through further writing and revising steps.
Applying Brainstorming to Writing Assignments
When applying brainstorming to writing assignments, the student is encouraged to list out as many ideas as possible that are pertinent to the topic. These ideas could range from various angles of the topic to possible evidence or argumentative points. The more expansive the brainstorming session, the more material the student will have to work with, which can then be filtered through to find the most compelling points for the final piece of writing.