Free writing is the process of continuous writing unimpeded by any of the conventional rules that are employed by the writer. You don't worry about grammar or spelling, and you don't consider themes or a thesis; you simply unleash a flurry of words onto the page for a fixed period of time. While the process might seem counterintuitive to organization, it is often through free writing that you can discover the golden thread of a work, the theme that pulls everything together.
A bubble map or mind map is an organizational technique that begins with the core concept placed in a bubble at the center of a piece of paper. Other related ideas inspired by the central concept are represented by connecting lines and new bubbles. This technique provides visual representation of the organizational possibilities of a piece of writing. By creating a bubble map, you can easily see how all of your ideas relate to your central theme.
Lists and outlines perform a function similar to bubble mapping, but they present the information in a more orderly fashion. The outline lists key concepts, usually numbered on the page, followed by subheadings which list ideas that support each key concept. This method of organization creates a skeletal structure that can be used as a guide through the writing process. Simply follow the outline in order, developing each of the key concepts and supporting ideas along the way, and you will have a working first draft.
Though you may be initially unsure of your thesis during the first step or two of the writing process, it is important that you identify a central idea, theme or concept that runs through your work. A clear thesis will provide you the boundaries in which to write, preventing you from unnecessarily straying from the course. If you stick to ideas related to your thesis, you will be able to explore ideas in your writing without wasting a lot of time.