Mind mapping is an analytical process that involves creative thinking. It uses visuals, color, words and connectors to take notes, study for exams, brainstorm ideas, and make connections between ideas. All mind maps include a central image representing the topic, main themes radiating from the center image as branches with key images or words, and a unifying structure with effective use of color. The process involves selecting a topic, brainstorming key ideas by drawing pictures and symbols to represent them and adding text and connectors, continuing to add new ideas radiating out from existing ones, and then reflecting on the completed mind map.

2. Mind Mapping:
that involves creative thinking.
is an analytical process

3. Mind Mapping involves the:
• visuals
• colour
• words
• connectors
Creative integration of a combination of…

4. Mind Mapping can be used to:
1. Take notes in class,
2. Study for a test or exam,
3. Brainstorm ideas,
4. Or make connections
between existing ideas.

5. All Mind Maps include:
1. A central image that represents
the subject being mapped.
2. Main themes that radiate like
branches from that central image.
3. All branches have a key image or key word.
4. All branches have a unifying structure.
5. Effective use of colour.

6. A. Select a Topic
1. Think of a visual that captures the
essence of that topic.
2. Place the visual in the centre of the
paper – using colours that will assist
you to remember that it is the most
important idea.

7. B. Brainstorm Key Ideas
1. Record all the ideas that come to you.
2. Select the 5-6 that will be the first levels of
exploration of your main idea.
3. Group the remaining ideas into common
categories. Give each category, each
‘level’, a label.

8. B. Brainstorm Key Ideas
4. Draw a picture or symbol that represents
each of the key ideas.
5. Position these visuals in a meaningful way.
6. Add in relevant key words and then join the
text and visuals with connectors.

9. B. Brainstorm Key Ideas
7. Continue to brainstorm – allowing new
ideas to radiate out from existing ones.
8. Repeat the process of adding more visuals,
text, and connectors.
9. Continue until you have exhausted the
main topic, the key ideas, the space, the
time allotted, and/or your patience.

10. C. Reflect
1. Take time to look over your work as you
complete it.
2. Talk over your ideas with a partner or a
small group.
3. Think about the journey you took to
conceptualise your key ideas. Have you
thoroughly accomplished the task?

11.  Here are some examples. Notice the
following:
1. There is no RIGHT way to create a mind map.
2. These are all very interesting explorations of
the main ideas, but they are all VERY
different.
3. You MUST use YOUR strengths to successfully
communicate your ideas in an organised
way.
4. And remember…

13.  As we view these examples pay
attention to the following:
1. Strengths and Weaknesses
2. Organisation of Content
3. Readability

14. A mind map
is not a flow
chart

15. Examples of Mind Maps

28. 1. Use emphasis
› always use a central image,
› use images throughout your Mind Map,
› use three or more colours per central image,
› use variations of size of printing, line and
image,
› use organised spacing,
› use appropriate spacing.

29. 2. Use association
› use arrows when you want to make
connections within and across the branch
pattern,
› you can also use colours to show
connections.

30. 3. Be Clear
› try to use only one key word per line,
› print all words,
› try to make line length equal to word length,
› connect lines to other lines,
› make your images’ meaning as clear as
possible,
› keep your printing as upright as possible.

31. 4. Develop a Personal Style
› remember: we are all astoundingly unique –
our maps should reflect the unique networks
and patterns of thought in our individual
brains,

32. 4. Develop a Personal Style
› Remember the 3 A’s:
› ACCEPT – set aside all preconceptions and
write/draw whatever comes to mind,
› APPLY – use whatever your imagination
comes up with to your advantage, and
› ADAPT – constantly reflect on the success of
your map as it develops (i.e. after each
draft) and be open to making necessary
changes.

33. 5. Break Mental Blocks
› develop a positive mental attitude,
› commit yourself to your Mind Map (even the
absurd),
› try to use images from the text you are
studying,
› add blank lines to your map that you can fill in
later as new ideas occur to you,
› make your Mind Map as beautiful as possible.