Final answer:
Before brainstorming for a writing project, the necessary preliminary steps include selecting and narrowing a topic that interests you, developing a working thesis, and creating an outline to organize your ideas effectively. It's important to define your audience and the purpose of your project, and be ready for a recursive writing process with multiple drafts and revisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before brainstorming for a writing project, a necessary preliminary step is to choose and narrow your topic. It's important to start with something that aligns with your interests or experiences to maintain enthusiasm throughout the writing process. You might consider making a list of potential ideas, circling those most appropriate for the assignment, and then combining related ideas to refine your focus.
After selecting a topic, developing a working thesis will give direction to your brainstorming efforts. This involves thinking critically about your position and formulating a clear statement that encapsulates your stance on the issue. Subsequently, you can generate a broad outline to organize the 'big ideas' of your essay and plan the logical progression of your arguments.
It is also essential to understand your audience's perspective and define both the situation and the purpose of your project early on. These steps will help to shape your narrative and ensure that your communication is effective. Finally, remember that writing is a recursive process, so be prepared to revise and refine your topic, thesis, and outline as you draft and receive feedback.