Mind maps are a visual way of taking notes, brainstorming ideas or planning. They can help you organise and connect information and ideas. They are also easy to remember and quick to review.
Mind maps are a quick way to:
- show what you already know about a topic and where you may need to find more information
- summarise information from a range of sources
- find and see links between concepts and ideas
- think through complex problems
- show the overall structure of a subject.
Tip: Mind maps are also useful to help you plan research or revise for an assessment or exam.
How to mind map
You can make a mind map on paper, whiteboard, or use an online tool (there are a few available that let you create some for free such as Mindmeister, Miro or Lucidchart).
Brainstorm
- Start by putting your main topic in the middle of the page.
- Add all the key words, concepts and ideas you can think of around the topic.
- Don’t try and organise the information, just get your ideas out.
Categorise and go deeper
- Next identify the main categories of information and circle them. These are your branches.
- Draw lines to show which items fit into each category and how categories connect. Use different coloured pens and visuals to help make it clear what is in the same category.
- Each branch could generate further ideas and branches. Keep adding to each one, and if you get stuck, move on to another branch.
Review and organise
- When you are finished, look at how the information connects.
- Highlight categories that are most important.
- If you need to, redraw your map making each main category or branch a heading. Then list the information and ideas under each heading, and connect them.
Learn more about mind mapping by watching the video below.