freewriting

[ free-rahy-ting ]

noun

1. the practice of writing out ideas on a particular topic as they occur to the mind, in prose form and without stopping to reflect or self-edit: used as an exercise to increase fluency in a second language or to stimulate thinking while generating a first draft.

Word History and Origins

Origin of freewriting¹

First recorded in 1970–75; free ( def ) + writing ( def )

Example Sentences

This is a “freewriting” exercise that I assume could also be applied to visual media.

From Washington Post

Which pedagogical approach works best: freewriting or grammar lessons?

From New York Times

“Freewriting, hoping that children will learn or gain a love of writing, hasn’t worked,” Dr. Hochman told the teachers, many of whom work in low-income neighborhoods.

From New York Times

In classrooms where practices like freewriting are used without any focus on transcription or punctuation, “the students who struggled didn’t make any progress,” Dr. Troia, the Michigan State professor, said.

From New York Times

So-called process writing, like the lesson Lyse experienced in Long Island, emphasizes activities like brainstorming, freewriting, journaling about one’s personal experiences and peer-to-peer revision.

From New York Times