5. Gather your ideas and materials for the chosen topic
Once you have your topic, the next step is to gather all the information you have about it, including personal stories and anecdotes. This is also a good time to brainstorm ideas for the topic on your own or with someone you trust. As you come up with all kinds of thoughts, stories and ideas, note them down on a piece of paper or on a computer. It’s very important that you keep written notes of brainstorming sessions because after a few minutes – let alone days – it will be nearly impossible to remember what you have thought or said. You don’t want to lose the good “stuff!”

Here are the notes Peter took from a brainstorming session about basketball:

Basketball Brainstorm notes:

• I’m better at playing basketball than the average person on the street who doesn’t play basketball.
• But I’m probably the worst player on the best team in my division.
• I absolutely love basketball because:

+ Unlike football, soccer or even tennis, I can be a part of a team, but I can also practice on my own or pick up a game just about anywhere.

+ Like chess, basketball is a very strategic game. Coaches are always saying that basketball is like chess. There are strategies for offense, defense, winning. Like chess you play to the weaknesses of other players. You have to have a plan.

+ I love running around. Basketball uses up my physical energy.

+ I started playing basketball in the 4th grade.

+ Even though I’m not very good, I get to play enough. Get to play when our team is killing the other team. Can’t hang onto the rim, don’t do dunks.

+ Main reason I’m on the team is because I work so hard. Never slack off, always there, arrive early; bust my butt. Seems like even though I lack the skills, I’m kind of a team leader (team cheerleader).

+ Like that I’m with a different group of guys I don’t usually hang with: jocks. Diverse: white boys and “bros.” Never talk about school. Talk about girls, the game, cars, other sports, music. It’s fun.