Here are some suggestions for how to generate volume first before organizing into structure:
- Brain dump freely without editing as many ideas, thoughts, details as possible on a topic. Get it all out on paper.
- Do timed free writes where you allow yourself to list/explain without pausing for a set period, like 10-15 minutes.
- Record yourself talking through the topic for 10+ minutes and transcribe the recording later.
- Try mind mapping/concept webbing software that lets you dump concepts in any order without outlines.
- Use flashcards, post-its or note cards to jot details randomly and cluster similar ones later.
- For essays, brainstorm each paragraph topic first before writing full paragraphs.
- Note external research materials as you find them and sort/summarize all at once later.
- Take a walk, shower, do mindless tasks and record any resulting ideas/notes on your phone.
- Review your massive collection of details, group related ones, title categories, reorder as needed.
- Speak your ideas out loud to a friend and have them help you spontaneously organize.
- Come back to your work later with a fresher perspective to organize more easily.
The key is dumping details freely first before structuring. Let the organization emerge from your collected volume once it’s all externalized.