What it Means to Have an Idea?

The Greek philosopher Socrates once said “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This statement is often used as a starting point for philosophy in its quest to examine everything. In the same sense, the analytic writing common in academics requires the exploration and examination of ideas to construct our own “examined” understandings of the world we inhabit. Both philosophy and analysis require a spirit of questioning and exploration beyond the surface of everyday things, common assumptions, and simplistic thinking.

Analysis is often referred to as a process of examining the parts of something to get a better understanding of the whole. We examine things to find meaningful patterns which are often uncovered when we dig deeper into something beyond first glance. Analytic thought is a dynamic questioning and exploration which aims at going beyond surfaces to uncover complex patterns and meanings, thus examination aiming at new understandings of things. In this sense analytic writing begins in thought or the generation of ideas.

Ideas emerge from our discoveries in learning. They can be the discovery of a question where there seemed not be one, before our investigations.

An idea can often start with an observation that is puzzling, leading to something you want to figure out rather than something you think you already understand.

An idea makes explicit something that is implicit. This can be something implied but not overtly stated, or an assumption upon which an argument rests.

An idea can also be a logical consequence of a given position. Try exploring ideas further by imagining possible consequences of different scenarios or “what ifs?”

Ideas connect elements of a subject and help explain its significance. They answer the question- “so what?” by explaining why something is important or meaningful.

Ideas also emerge from dissonance, when thinks do not fit together. Sometimes problems, contradictions, and puzzles can be the starting point and focus of analysis in search of solutions.

An idea can answer a question; it explains something that needs further explanation. While your thesis should be a statement or assertion, it can be a response to a question.

Consider the process of problem solving in generating ideas. Uncover a problem, then explore and research possible solutions after gaining new understanding and insights.

Use ideas to begin the process of exploring information, to discover problems, find patterns and competing positions. Asking questions and making choices will help you engage in the process of analytic thinking and explaining the significance of your ideas.