Brain Circles

Brainwriting is a method of stimulating new ideas by writing them down, as opposed to brain storming which is a verbal dynamic. This silent approach allows more time for thought and reflection than brainstorming.

copyright 2002

Group creativity: Each person writes three ideas and passes it to the person on their right. They read these and add three more ideas that are triggered by the preceding ideas. This continues around the circle until each person gets their original paper back.

Group problem solving: One person writes the setup or problem and then passes the paper to the left. The next person writes two ideas triggered by the setup, then passes the paper to the next person and so on until the originator gets the setup back with several possible solutions.

This exercise should be short and fast because the idea is to write the first thing that comes to mind. Free associate and don't worry about what others will think of your suggestion.