Help: Old Mind Mapping

What is Mind Mapping?

Mind maps (also called thought maps) are a non-linear note making technique that encourages active thinking and creativity, through creating pictures or diagrams. It can help you to make plans, increase recall and save time in a wide range of study tasks.

The non-linear format of mind maps breaks away from notes that go from left to right, down a page. Mind maps make free use of space and symbols. They are a powerful graphic tool, using words, images, numbers, logic, colour and spatial awareness.

Mind maps can:

• Give an overview of a large topic.
• Gather and hold large amounts of data.
• Encourage active planning techniques by allowing you to see links and make connections.
• Are a useful memory aid.
• Are visually stimulating and aid concentration.
   

Example of a Mind Map:

Compare this writing to the mind map below it:

"Thought mapping can be applied to a variety of study tasks including planning, note making, organising and exams. Plans for dissertations, reports, presentations, projects and essays can be made with a thought map. It can be applied to note taking tasks in lectures, seminars and with texts, as well as with note making tasks such as brainstorming ideas, making initial plans for work or recording your own thoughts and ideas When tackling exams this technique can be made use of in revision for condensing, reviewing and recalling material. It provides a quick way of practising exam answers, allowing you to rehearse ideas, try out plans and test your recall. Finally, thought mapping can help with organisation skills, enabling you to overview your thoughts, manage your time and order everyday tasks."

The thought map above presents the key aspects of information in an ordered format. It provides a clear overview of the material.

More About Mind Maps

Click on the image above to go to look at a good example of a thought map.
It is a Creative Commons Flickr picture by Mode de Vie Software (BY NC ND).

Making a Mind Map:

Let's look at how to make a mind map:

Step 1

• Use blank landscape paper.
• Start in the centre with an image or word that represents the topic.
• Choose keywords or images that will represent your main themes and put each one on a line that is connected to your topic in the centre.
• The best keywords are the ones that use your own personal associations to link the keyword to the point it represents.

Step 2

• Branch off from the main themes with points represented by keywords or images.
• Put each word or image on its own line.
• Make each line the same length as the work or image.
• Words and images are larger in the centre and smaller further out.
• Keep lines thicker in the centre. Make lines thinner as they move towards the edges of your mind map. This helps show the order of your material.

Step 3

• Add more levels of thought as necessary.
• Use colour to categorise your information and make the thought map visually stimulating. Use three or more colours for the central image and then use a different colour for each branch.
• Use symbols and images in place of keywords to represent a point concisely, or in addition to keywords to reinforce a point and aid recall.
• Keep your thought map clear and add levels of order by enclosing grouped branches, using numbers and showing links with arrows.

Once you are familiar with these steps you can adapt the technique. Develop your own personal style of mind mapping to make the best use of your own personal associations and thought processes.

Use mind maps to:

• Plan assignments, reports and presentations.
• Take notes.
• Brainstorm ideas.
• Revise for tests by creating an overview of a topic, condensing notes and testing recall.
• Organise your time by creating lists of tasks or action plans that feed into an overview of your goals.

[The text above is based on that provided by the University of Leicester]