avatarNicole Hilbig

Summary

Brainwriting is an efficient technique for generating a diverse range of story ideas, particularly beneficial for introverted individuals and group settings, by silently writing or sketching ideas and passing them to others for further development.

Abstract

Brainwriting, also known as the 6–3–5 method, was developed by Bernd Rohrbach in 1986 as an improvement over traditional brainstorming. It involves silently writing or sketching ideas on paper and passing them to a neighbor who then builds upon those ideas. This process continues in a cycle, allowing for a quiet, collaborative environment that can yield a multitude of ideas in a short period. Brainwriting is not only effective in creative writing and hyperwriting seminars but also in virtual meetings and chat groups. For individual writers, it helps to accumulate a variety of impressions by recording thoughts and observations inspired by others' work on the same topic, which can enrich their stories.

Opinions

  • Brainwriting is considered superior to brainstorming due to its ability to produce more ideas quickly and provide a platform for diverse perspectives.
  • The technique is particularly advantageous for those who are more introverted, as it allows for equal participation without the need for verbalization.
  • Brainwriting is versatile and can be applied in various settings, including seminars, chat groups, and virtual meetings.
  • The method encourages a collaborative approach to creativity, where each participant's contribution is built upon by others, leading to a richer pool of ideas.
  • For individual writers, brainwriting is recommended as a way to gather a broad spectrum of ideas and insights, which can be instrumental in developing a story.

How Can You Use Brainwriting For Your Story Ideas?

Image by pathdoc on Adobe Stock.

Brainwriting (or 6–3–5) was invented in 1986 by Bernd Rohrbach, a German marketing professional, as a better version of the well-known Brainstorming.

Because you:

  • get more ideas in less time
  • produce more diversity than with brainstorming
  • give others a voice who are more “introverted”
  • work in silence with a group

The method:

Write or sketch your ideas silently on a sheet of paper and give it to the neighbour who builds on those previous suggestions. This continues until the last person has written down their thoughts.

It works in all creative writing or hyperwriting seminars, but also in chat groups and virtual meetings.

This method also helps you as a single writer:

Write down the thoughts, ideas and observations from the texts of other writers on your topic in a row to get the variety of impressions for your story.

Short Story
Writing
Inspiration
Ideas
Creativity
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