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25 Writer Brain Boosters
By Ellen Weber (PhD)
Writer Brain Boosters
Posters and Prompts
1- Perk up Moods
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Write what if questions
2- Set your Stage
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Setting boosts spatial IQ
Write solutions to tame the amygdala.
3 - Run from Rants
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Forgiveness builds new neuron pathways to rare writing adventures.
4 – Pardon Not Pity
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Trigger more curiosity by writing across arts and sciences.
5 –Write Art & Science
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Inspire change – use working memory.
6 Inspire Change
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7. Hop to New Beats
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Try background music as you write, and expect new insights.
Interview peers and listen for voices on the other side.
8. Address Authentic Problems
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9 Stretch your IQ
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Write differently from usual pattern, and your brain grows new dendrite brain cells.
Written words can build goodwill – even in war zones.
10. Disagree by Building Goodwill
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Awaken both sides – with brainpowered tools to disagree.
11. Awaken Both Sides
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Hook difficult facts onto one experience or observation that is familiar to most readers.
12. Hang New Facts on Old Hooks
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Brains come with a small notepad (or working memory) that holds new facts.
13. Rev up Working Memory
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Working
Memory
Tell topics through language, self, others, visuals, music, movement, nature, science or math.
Survey your best intelligences
14. Engage Multiple Intelligences
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Surround yourself with creative writers who think in possibilities.
Cynicism kills talent.
15. Tackle Cynicism with Creativity
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Working memory holds news facts a very short time, so you may wish to sketch new ideas and then refer
to them as you write.
16. Outsource More Memory
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Writing can rewire your brain and grow intelligence.
Plasticity increases with use.
17. Play Plasticity to Win
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Boost a peer’s writing with encouragement. Support boosts writing capabilities andraises serotonin .
18. Rate through Encouragement
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Meta-messages torpedo trust through implications that differ from words written.
Within the brain, common sense includes intrapersonal IQ to write sincerely and build trust through communication.
19. Say it Squarely!
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20. Integrate Right & Left Brain
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How could your writing appeal to people who excel in left and right-brain talents?
Stress literally shrinks the brain, and is amplified in toxic communication.
21. Don’t Shrink Reader Brains
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Name people respectfully and you spike personal awareness in their brains.
22. Name Call
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My name designed in ChinaDuring my recent work there.
23. Teach as You Learn
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Model how to teach at the same time youLearn throughwriting.
24. Propose Plausible Solutions
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The brain creates new neuron pathways to possibilities you propose Design innovative solutions!
25. Imagine We-They Circles
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How do writers look through different filters to write wider views?
http://goo.gl/X4igb
Change filters
Simply click on the link from the number in top left hand corner of posters above and you will link to related research.
Or click on the research below and you will be linked to its corresponding poster above. The link is located in the top left hand corner – and appears when you click the number there.
How to link Research Below to 25 Writer Brain Booster Posters
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Prepare to write! Rotate brain boosters in this kit to build curiosity. Pack more brainpower into words.
Add life-changing zip to your writing through 25
recent facts from the brain sciences: (See http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/index.php )
Trigger brainpower and build curiosity so that
readers take away more from your words. Question possibilities at the start of each paragraph,
and apply your content to address reader issues.
25 Facts to Rejuvenate Brainpower
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1. Perk-up Moods – Boredom, it turns out, is a habit formed in brains and reinforced by words that lack punch. Help readers choose improved moods as their reality, Sidestep boredom!
Jump start your writing with a what-if-question, such as, What if you could use information in this essay to design an innovation that would win an award for improving one related situation you face?
Words can inspire new possibilities because reader brains come equipped with mirror neurons or mimicking devices. (See http://www.brainleadersandlearners.com/mirror-neurons/more-magic-in-mirror-neurons/ )
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2. Set your Stage – Were they listening to a boring lecture in uncomfortable chairs?
Readers gain more from your writing when you engage their visual or spatial intelligence. See http://goo.gl/L637h
How will you add word pictures?
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3. Run from Rants. Negative emotions fade when dangerous cortisol chemicals decrease before you write.
Take a few minutes to tame your amygdala – which is the brain’s emotional storehouse. How so?
Share traits of one leader you admire who faced similar situations.
Why not write about a problem through an opponent’s view, an optimist’s possibilities or a peacemaker’s perspective? See - http://www.brainleadersandlearners.com/amygdala/tame-your-amygdala/
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4. Pardon Not Pity - Venting creates new neuron pathways for more blame or gridlocks.
Forgive by writing the opposite of a vent. See http://www.brainleadersandlearners.com/amygdala/a-brain-on-forgiveness/ to discover a brain on forgiveness.
Check out New York Times story at http://goo.gl/9qQ5g to see forgiveness move writing from blame into possibilities for a finer future.
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5. Write to Fuse Arts and Science - The idea is to engage both sides of the brain in order to increase innovation.
Would you agree that most people tend to ask questions with predictable answers? Boring to boot!
Involve readers in your questions and watch how it suddenly draws ordinary people into action.
Splash brilliant new colors, onto a canvass so that both sides of human brains leap into life.
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6. Inspire Change. Writers who inspire change can often say with Helen Keller, Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing at all.
See how one autistic teen learned to write about change that inspires others by using more working memory.
Change can comes with wonders or woes. http://www.brainleadersandlearners.com/change/wonders-and-woes-of-change/
What will change because of your written inspiration?
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7. Hop to New Beats - Music changes brain wave speeds in ways that impact writing and alter creativity.
What music increases your focus to write well. Select a genre http://goo.gl/m8jZo
Different music adds different brain wave speeds for focused writing.
Start with a favorite tunes but check out Psychologist Don Campbell’s list to see how music alters mental states.
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8. Address Authentic Problems- Interview peers to see what issues they care about.
What questions are readers asking on your topic? Listen with your brain. http://goo.gl/0q9QU
What concerns readers most and what possibilities would they like to consider further.
Look at the research on your topic, but also listen to your potential readers.
Catch readers’ problems and help them to step in the direction of a resolution.
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9. Stretch Your IQ – Rather than expect the same routine, consider new alternatives and write to learn about unusual or unfamiliar topics.
Consider what essentials readers should take away from your words.
Then invite another writer to review and help edit your conclusion to ensure those takeaways are evident.
When you act or write differently from your usual pattern, your brain grows new dendrite brain cells. See http://goo.gl/qdYQf
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10. Disagree by Building Goodwill - Write in tone that allows you to express alternatives with respect. Learn from views on another side.
Imagine many readers agreeing with one side because you agree well. Then see readers learning from your no-side - because you defend opposite views with similar solid facts.
Switch sides in ways that defend opposing views – with supportive examples to engage robust debate.
Respect ramps up curiosity for opposing views. See http://goo.gl/rkpHJ
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11. Awaken Both Sides
Awaken both sides – with brainpowered tools to disagree. See http://goo.gl/0xyLl
Brain waves spark both deep reflections and peak performances on opposite sides of topics, based on how you activate them.
Research both sides of your essay topic, and then show why and how some readers will support one side.
With equal enthusiasm show why and how others will support an opposite side.
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12. Hang New Facts on Old Hooks
See http://goo.gl/y5hz8
Hook difficult facts onto one thing you know and more learning increases in less time.
Readers take away more when content they read about relates to their real-life experiences, or familiar observations.
Your words can help readers to see connections, in ways their brain will increase their appreciation from your written words.
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13. Rev up Working Memory
Your brain’s basal ganglia stores facts and create ruts, while its working memory in contrast, holds few facts and leads change.
Write to shift readers from basal ganglia ruts to new insights that engaging working memory.
After seeing the video at http://goo.gl/qHFos what will you write to ignite reader curiosity for new insights?
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14. Engage Multiple Intelligences
How will readers see your topics through language, self, others, visuals, music, movement, nature, science or math? See http://goo.gl/093FH
A far wider range of intelligences is common to all readers, yet used by few writers.
How will you hold the interest of readers who are strong in one or more of the intelligences named above? Survey your best intelligences for free!
What will an artist gain, or a musician, for instance?
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15. Tackle Cynicism with Creativity
Cynical mindsets or pessimistic outlooks literally block creativity, impact talent, and stomp out innovation that could fuel your writing.
Cynicism at the start of an essay tanks creative possibilities for an entire work.
Convert toxic cynical statements into creative possibilities with brainy writing benefits.
Does your writing avoid toxins in the mind of a cynic? http://goo.gl/gTtWn
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16. Outsource More Memory Outsource More Memory –
Research and jot down a few new facts about your topic. It’s a bit like outsourcing unfamiliar facts and figures.
This frees up your working memory to focus on integrating these new facts in ways that solve real-life problems in your writing.
Working memory holds new facts a very short time, so you may wish to sketch the fact in a quick image or diagram next to its meaning.
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17. Play Plasticity to Win More Plasticity refers to the brain’s equipment to rewire your brain, and increase its capabilities to write. See http://goo.gl/qdYQf
Plasticity expands writing ability when you.Laugh at yourselfSpeak and feel heardEngage readers who rarely get involvedMonitor your inner language to succeedAsk good questions respectfully
How will you continue to play with new writing approaches to see what works best?
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18. Rate Through Encouragement Boost a peer’s writing talents by encouragement. Support builds writing capabilities through raised serotonin .
Avoid punishing mistakes through negativity that sends stress hormones –or cortisol – that kill growth possibilities.
Pre-empt all feedback with appreciation. The brain fuels creativity with serotonin –increased by appreciation.
Rate the person as you would like to be rated and your feedback will open innovative pathways for that person’s progress.
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19. Say it Squarely
Meta-messages blur clarity through implications that differ from words actually written.
Examples at http://goo.gl/QWaAy
What do you write when you really mean,“this topic stinks!”
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20. Integrate Right and Left Brain
It often takes a few whole brain essentials to communicate big pictures for a wider audience.
From their left brains readers look for language, detail, scientific facts, strategies, logical thinking and sequencing approaches to show the order or timelines explored.
From their right brains, readers may expect word pictures, shared stories, musical rhythms or designs with novel and innovative possibilities.
See http://goo.gl/XHohH
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21. Don’t Shrink Reader Brains Stress can literally shrink brains. Use stress busters before you write.
1. Breath deeply 10 times, with an effort to relax.2. Listen to classical or ambient music.3. Appreciate something and write about it.4. Remember fun with a good friend.5. Break down a difficult fact into smaller pieces.6. Write a comical story, or laugh at yourself.7. Prioritize difficult parts of a problem.8. Interview a person you admire most.9. Tackle one difficult thing to show courage. 10. Create a winning stress-buster to relax.
See http://goo.gl/2gt2S
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22. Name Call
To name people with respect, is to spike personal awareness in their brains. That means looking for value that people add and communicating that value in your writing. You may enjoy this link related to brains, new neuro discoveries and spoken names. See http://goo.gl/oIyRk
How will your writing cherish more names in ways that communicate genuine respect for another’s offerings?
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23. Teach Readers as Your Learn
Inspire creativity and invention through teaching at the same time you also learn. Ask readers what you can do to help them to enjoy learning and teaching
Open with a brain booster question to build curiosity in your readers. Remind them that we retain far more whenever we teach others at the same time we learn. Model how to learn and teach at the same time.
See why telling works against brains – while engaging sparks interest. http://goo.gl/9wvs9
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24. Propose Plausible Solutions
The brain creates new neuron pathways toward possibilities you propose to problems encountered. Design innovative solutions!
Create T-Chart - and on left side – list 3 problems.
On the right ride of T-Chart list plausible solutions.
Write possibilities from T-Chat list and discuss doable solutions to address any problems raised.
To design your solutions see http://goo.gl/mnBxn
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25. Imagine We-They Circles
Female and male brains differ biologically and intellectually in ways that few optimize. Cultural preferences differ and you can capitalize of people’s unique strengths. Change filters to write from new views.
Change filters to insert new view. Write from different filters, from another’s vantage point. Ask readers to do the same. See http://goo.gl/X4igb
More brain related details on gender learning differences at http://goo.gl/ohFSc
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Why not write your way to more success!
All writing brain booster materials here involve proven writing approaches to rewire for writer/reader takeaways: Dr. Ellen Weber is a brain based leader – who designs writing materials from new neuro discoveries for teens and adults. Do email Ellen at [email protected]. If you enjoyed these materials please visit site at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Ellen-Weber
