Approaches to Writing
Focused Freewriting

Focused freewriting requires you to do a second round of freewriting in order to narrow a topic even further. Take one topic that emerged in your freewriting sample, then freewrite again to generate topic ideas that are even more focused. (Again, don't worry about grammar, spelling, logical connections between ideas, etc.) After reviewing your new freewriting sample, make a list of more focused potential topics.

Below is an example of focused freewriting. The writer freewrote originally on the subject "Crime in America." Choosing the topic "gunslingers as early-day versions of serial killers," the writer freewrote again to generate a list of several more focused topic ideas.

SUBJECT: Crime in America
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Potential Topic Ideas Generated in
First Freewriting Sample

  • the changing nature of American crime
  • historical perspective of crime in America
  • how society defines crime
  • crime in colonial America
  • crime in the Old West
  • gunslingers as early-day versions of serial killers











Helpful Hint!
Freewriting means free association. Let your mind rove! You may discover a new related topic quite by accident.

Helpful Hint!
Before freewriting, choose an item which seems more focused than the others. You'll be surprised how much more focused your thinking can become.


Selected Topic:
gunslingers as early-day versions of serial killers
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Focused Freewriting Sample

I never thought about this before, it never even crossed my mind, whether gunslingers during the Old West were serial killers or not. I suppose they were. I suppose the notorious gunslingers who made reputations for themselves going around shooting people, putting notches in their belts were the Old West serial killers. I never thought of sheriffs as serial killers, but I suppose they were too. People like Wyatt Earp and the OK corral. I visited the OK corral on a recent trip but didnt pay to go in. Anyway. It all goes back to the definition of serial killing, and whether anybody who makes a career of going around killing people is a serial killer. The gun ruled the Old West. Still rules America today. Of course guns aren't the only type of instrument used by today's serial killers. Maybe that's one thing that makes today's serial killers different, the type of tool they use to kill. Even so, I keep thinking that the Old West killer who moved from town to town was a type of serial killer. Similarities are greater than the differences.

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More Focused Potential Topics Generated by
Focused Freewriting Sample
  • changing definitions of serial killers throughout American history
  • method of killing as a factor in determining serial killers
  • Old West sheriffs and criminals as serial killers
  • role of guns in serial killing
Any questions or comments for Kenn?
Where do I go next?
Go to "Juxtaposing Subjects."


Web Architect: Michael L. Geiger
Content by Kenn Pierson
Created 1.13.98 -
©2000 M.L.Geiger
URL: http://www.kjpierson.com/TEACHING/ENG101