This is the third and final video in a series for authors who get stuck in thinking creatively (to many ideas!) or get stuck in thinking logically (I have to find that perfect word!).
Today, we are talking about thinking convergently, which involves narrowing down options, identifying patterns, and arriving at a single solution or conclusion. I am going to talk about how to get into your logical mind so you can mine all those ideas for the diamond.
- Define the Problem: Articulate the specific problem or question you’re trying to solve. Establishing a specific goal or aim provides clarity and focus for your convergent thinking process.
- Gather Information: Collect relevant data, information, and evidence related to the problem at hand. Conduct research, analyze sources, and gather insights to inform your decision-making process.
- Identify Criteria: Determine the criteria or factors that are important for evaluating potential solutions or options. Consider factors such as feasibility, effectiveness, cost, and impact to guide your decision-making process.
- Generate Options: Brainstorm multiple solutions or approaches to the problem. Explore different alternatives and consider various perspectives before moving forward with your analysis.
- Evaluate Alternatives: Assess each option based on the established criteria. Compare the pros and cons of each alternative and consider their implications and potential outcomes.
- Eliminate Less Viable Options: Narrow down your list of options by eliminating those that do not meet the established criteria or are less workable or effective than others. Concentrate on the options that show the most promise and eliminate the rest.
- Analyze Patterns and Trends: Look for patterns, trends, or recurring themes among the remaining options. Find shared traits or patterns that suggest a preferred course of action or resolution.
- Synthesize Information: Integrate the information and insights gathered from your analysis to form a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the problem and potential solutions. Synthesize disparate pieces of information into a unified framework to guide your decision-making process.
- Make a Decision: Based on your analysis and evaluation, choose a course of action that best addresses the problem or achieves the desired outcome. Select the option that aligns most closely with the established criteria and objectives.
- Implement and Monitor: Once you have decided, implement the chosen solution and monitor its effectiveness and impact. Be prepared to adapt and adjust your approach as needed based on feedback and new information.
By following these strategies, you can enhance your convergent thinking skills and analyze information, evaluate options, and make informed decisions to solve problems and achieve your goals.

Combining Thematic Analysis, Evidence Integration, and Outline Refinement for Enhanced Nonfiction Writing
Thematic analysis, evidence integration, and outline refinement are integral components of effective nonfiction writing. By combining these practices, authors can create compelling narratives that engage and persuade readers. Here’s how you can integrate these approaches:
- Thematic Analysis: Thematic analysis involves identifying and synthesizing key themes within your manuscript or research material. To conduct a thematic analysis:
- Select a section of your nonfiction manuscript or relevant research material.
- Identify recurring ideas, concepts, or motifs that emerge as you read through the text.
- Use coding or highlighting to categorize passages according to these themes.
- Analyze the relationships between themes and their contributions to the overall message or argument.
- Consider narrowing down the most prominent themes and synthesizing them to strengthen the coherence and clarity of your writing.
- Evidence Integration: Effective nonfiction writing relies on integrating credible evidence to support arguments or claims. To integrate evidence:
- Review the evidence and research collected for your nonfiction book.
- Identify the most relevant and credible sources that support your central argument.
- Evaluate each piece of evidence based on its reliability, significance, and alignment with your objectives.
- Integrate the strongest evidence into your manuscript, focusing on how each piece contributes to the overarching narrative or analysis.
- Eliminate or minimize less impactful or redundant evidence to streamline your argument and enhance persuasiveness.
- Outline Refinement: The outline of a nonfiction book serves as its roadmap, guiding both the author and the reader through its central arguments and themes. To refine your outline and practice convergent thinking:
- Review the structure and organization of chapters and sections in your nonfiction book.
- Identify areas where multiple ideas or subtopics overlap or can be merged to avoid repetition or fragmentation.
- Evaluate each chapter or section based on its relevance to the central thesis and the overall flow of the book.
- Refine the outline by eliminating redundant or tangential content and merging related ideas into cohesive sections.
- Ensure each chapter or section contributes to the central argument or narrative trajectory of your book.
If you consider yourself a creative thinker or an ideas person, these tips will help you bring your ideas to fruition.
Keep writing and Keep thriving,
Melody Ann

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