Mind mapping is a technique for visually organizing information in a diagram format rather than written sentences. A mind map uses a central topic with branches radiating out in a tree structure to show relationships between main topics, subtopics, and floating topics. Mind maps are useful for brainstorming, improving visualization and critical thinking, decision making, research, outlining documents, storyboarding presentations, and increasing retention. To create a mind map, start with a central topic and radiate branches outward adding subtopics and relationships between ideas. Mind maps differ from concept maps in their focus on a single central topic and use of radial hierarchies rather than connected concepts.

1. An Overview of Mind
Mapping
By Melissa Winfield

2. What is Mind Mapping?
Mind mapping is a technique for drawing
information in diagrams, instead of writing
it in sentences. The diagrams take the
same basic format of a tree, with a single
starting point in the middle that branches
out, and divides again and again. The tree
is made up of words or short sentences
connected by lines. The lines that connect
the words are part of the meaning.

3. Elements of a Mind Map
1. Every mind map has a central topic, which is where the map
starts. There is only one central topic.
2. Attached to the central topic are the main topics. You can
have as many main topics as you can fit into the mind map.
3. Attached to the main topics are subtopics. The mind map can
have as many subtopics as you like. Subtopics can also have
subtopics of their own in a mind map.
4. An unattached topic in the background is usually referred to as
a floating topic. It belongs to the mind map, but is not joined to
the tree.
5. You can draw boundaries around a topic and its subtopics, to
visually highlight them as a group.
6. You can draw relationships between topics, to visually show a
connection that crosses the tree.

4. Mind Mapping Uses
• Brainstorming sessions
• Improves visualization of concepts
• Improves critical thinking
• Decision making
• Improving reading and writing skills
• Research papers
• Outlining written documents
• Storyboarding presentations
• Increase retention

5. How to Create a Mind Map
• Generate a topic. What will be the focus of your thinking? Your topic should be no
more than a few words. By keeping your topic simple, you will be able to understand
more aspects of it through the map. A broader topic will give you more with which to
work in the future.
• Place that topic in the center of the page. Ideally you want to draw this topic,
writing the topic in bold letters should only be used for things without a visual form.
• Start writing what comes to mind. As you generate thoughts, draw branches from
the main topic. Keep it to as few words as possible. As you mind map more, try to
continue to narrow the amount of words per branch. Print clearly.
• Continue branching. Make more branches off of your main topic. Try to extend your
thoughts from one idea to the next. Draw lines between thoughts to create lateral
thinking.
• As new ideas arise, draw a different branch from your topic and expand as
necessary.
• Repeat branching until all your ideas appear on the map.

6. Concept Maps vs. Mind Maps
Mind maps differ from concept maps in that mind
maps focus on only one word or idea, whereas
concept maps connect multiple words or ideas.
Also, concept maps typically have text labels on
their connecting lines/arms. Mind maps are
based on radial hierarchies and tree structures
denoting relationships with a central governing
concept, whereas concept maps are based on
connections between concepts in more diverse
patterns.

7. Least Effective Usage!

8. Effective Usage!