Mind mapping is a graphical technique for organizing information that mirrors the way the brain works. It helps make thinking visible. To create a mind map, place the central idea in the middle of the page and radiate other ideas outward using lines, colors, arrows and branches to show connections. Leave plenty of space to allow for adding details over time. Summarizing readings involves first skimming to get an overview, then reading the full text and creating a mind map from memory to identify gaps, and finally reviewing the source material and personalizing the mind map.

1. Mind Mapping

2. Mind mapping
 Is a powerful thinking tool. It is a graphical technique
that mirrors the way the brain works, and was invested
by Tony Buzan.
 It helps to make thinking visible.
 Most people make notes using lined paper and blue or
black ink.
 Making notes more attractive to the brain by adding
color and rhythm can aid the learning process and can
help to make learning fun.

3. How to do a Mind Map
1. Look for a relationships.
- Use lines, colours, arrows, branches or some other way of
showing connections between the ideas generated on your map.
These relationships may be important in you understanding new
information or in constructing a structured essay plan. By
personalizing the map with your own symbols and designs you
will be constructing visual and meaningful relationships
between ideas which will assist in your recall and
understanding.

4. 2. Draw quickly on unlined paper without
pausing, judging or editing
- All of these things promote non-linear thinking and
the idea of mind mapping is to think creatively and
in a non-linear manner.
3. Write down key ideas.
- Some students find that using capital letters
encourages them to get down only the key points.
Capitals are also easier to read in a diagram.

5. 4. Put the main idea in the centre.
- With the main idea or topic in the middle of the page this
gives the maximum space for other ideas to radiate out
from the centre.
5. Leave lots of space
- After the initial drawing of the mind map you may wish
to highlights things, add information or add questions
for the duration of a subject right up until exam time.
For this reason it is a good idea to leave lots of space.

7. Essay Preparation
Housekeeping
Prior knowledge
Possible topics to be covered
Areas to research
Alternative approaches

8. Summarizing Readings
1.Skim
- firstly, read the abstract, introduction, conclusion, key
headings or chapter headings. When skimming through the
text observe any diagrams, pictures or graphs. This gives
you an overview of what you are about to read, puts it in
context and may already give you some clues as to where
the most relevant parts are located.
2. Read
- Read the article in one sitting (or chunk it into
sections/chapters if it is a whole book) and go over any parts
of which you are not quite sure.

9. 3. Mind map
- It is important to do the mind map from memory at this
stage so don’t consult the article or any other source of
information.
4. Study
- Study your mind map to discover the gaps in your
knowledge and refer back to the source material to fill in
any of these gaps.
5. Personalize
- Using different colours or symbols, add your own comments
and questions to the mind map.

10. Lectures, seminars, workshops
and tutorials
 Adds structure
 Helps review
 Suits repeated reviews
 Better recall
 Prompts questions
 Helps exam preparations