Pre-writing

Pre-writing strategies use writing to generate and clarify ideas. While many writers have traditionally created outlines before beginning writing, there are other possible prewriting activities. Five useful strategies are

brainstorming,
clustering,
free writing ,
looping, and
asking the six journalists' questions.

English Works! Writing: Prewriting

Pre-writing is a way of organizing your thoughts and beginning to put the information you have on paper. It is best to do a pre-writing activity before
you begin ... depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/prewriting.html

http://www.brigantine.atlnet.org/writesite/prewriting.htm
How do I complete this step?
There are many activities you can use to help plan and organize your writing.The type of prewriting you choose will depend on the writing task you are given. Click on one of the following links to see examples of different prewriting activities:

-Web

Prewriting

Faigley, The Brief Penguin Handbook

Listing Ideas Listing Thesis Statements Questioning | Free-writing
http://wire.rutgers.edu/p_pre.html

Listing Ideas:

Prewriting is important because it helps you generate ideas for writing.
One popular technique is listing. One reason that this technique is popular with writers is that we use list-making skills often in our everyday lives. Many people make lists of grocery items before going to the supermarket, and others make lists of "things to do," like homework assignments and chores.