What technique involves jotting down ideas without evaluating them?

The technique of jotting down ideas without evaluating them is known as brainstorming. This method encourages individuals or groups to generate a wide range of thoughts and ideas freely, without the constraints of judgment or criticism during the initial phase. The goal is to foster creativity and explore possibilities that might not have emerged in a more structured environment.

During brainstorming sessions, participants are prompted to think expansively, and every idea, no matter how outlandish, is recorded to ensure that no potential solution is overlooked. This unfiltered approach can lead to innovative ideas and insights that can be refined and evaluated in later stages of the creative process.

In contrast, mind mapping is more focused on visually organizing information and showing relationships between ideas rather than simply generating them. Drafting involves developing a more structured version of ideas, where evaluation and refinement begin to take place. Lastly, proofreading is a critical step applied after writing to correct errors and enhance clarity, rather than an ideation technique.

Therefore, brainstorming effectively embodies the process of generating a plethora of ideas without immediate critique, making it the correct answer.