How to create Mind maps

Begin your Mind Map!

1. Decide on the topic of your Mind Map – this can be anything at all. You
just need a topic to form your central idea. I’m going to plan my holiday.
2. Take a sheet of plain paper and some coloured pens, and turn the sheet
so it’s in a landscape position.
3. In the centre of this page, draw an image that really represents your
topic. For my holiday Mind Map, I’m going to draw the beach.
4. Now label this image for your Mind Map. I’m labeling mine, ‘My Holiday
Planner’.
5. By starting your Mind Map in the middle of the page, you have given
your thoughts the freedom to spread out and go in different directions –
this is the way you think naturally and it will increase inspiration and
creativity!
Branch out your Mind Map ideas

Now this is where Mind Mapping gets really interesting, as your Mind Map
stimulates your brain to create new ideas, each one connecting to another
thought – see how your ideas flow onto the page!

 Make thick, colorful branches spanning out from your Mind Map. Make
these curvy, as your brain will be more excited by these than straight,
monochrome lines.
 Add your main ideas as you add branches to your Mind Map. To my
Mind Map, I’m adding the location of my holiday, how I’m going to get there
and where I want to stay. Aim to add 5 or 6 branches.
 Write these Mind Map ideas in bold colorful capitals and add your ideas
as single keywords. By using only one word per branch, you multiply the
number of possibilities these thoughts can spark!
Get creative when you Mind Map

To get t he most out of Mind Mapping,

release your creativity! The more imaginative your Mind Map is, the better, as
you will engage all of your senses. Try adding colour, wherever you can! Your
Mind Map will have coloured branches and keywords, which will stimulate
your brain. Also add images and sketches related to your Mind Map ideas, as
this will strengthen your memory of your notes. I’m adding pictures of things I
will see on holiday to my Mind Map.

Make Mind Map connections

Use your Mind Map main ideas as inspiration to make associations and
connections:

 Draw smaller branches stemming from your Mind Map keywords. These
will be associated ideas, for example, on my holiday Mind Map, I’m adding
‘Summer’ as a child branch to my ‘Where’ branch.
 There is no limit to the number of child branches you can make. Make as
many as will fit on your Mind Map page!
 Your child branches will generate further ideas, and many more levels of
child branches. Continue this Mind Mapping process until you have exhausted
all of your ideas!
 Your finished Mind Map can be returned to whenever you want, and
more ideas can be added to it. If you have Mind Mapping software, such as
iMindMap, you can save your Mind Maps easily on your computer, print or
export them in a number of ways!
So, you have now finished creating your first Mind Map. You will have
produced a map which represents your ideas in an organised, creative and
effective way – now, onto the next one! Interested in Mind Mapping? You can
get a FREE trial of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony
Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

From Wikipedia

A mind map is a diagram used to visually outline information. A mind map is

often created around a single word or text, placed in the center, to which
associated ideas, words and concepts are added. Major categories radiate
from a central node, and lesser categories are sub-branches of larger branches.
[1]
Categories can represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items related to a
central key word or idea.

Mind maps can be drawn by hand, either as "rough notes" during a lecture or
meeting, for example, or as higher quality pictures when more time is
available. An example of a rough mind map is illustrated.

Mind maps are considered to be a type of spider diagram.[2] A similar concept

in the 1970s was "idea sun bursting".[3]

Origins[edit source | editbeta]

Diagrams that visually map information using branching and radial maps trace
back centuries. These pictorial methods record knowledge and model systems,
and a long history in learning, brainstorming, memory, visual thinking, and
problem solving by educators, engineers, psychologists, and others. Some of
the earliest examples of such graphical records were developed by Porphyry of
Tyros, a noted thinker of the 3rd century, as he graphically visualized the
concept categories of Aristotle. Philosopher Ramon Llull (1235–1315) also used
such techniques.

The semantic network was developed in the late 1950s as a theory to

understand human learning and developed further by Allan M. Collins and M.
Ross Quillian during the early 1960s.
Popularization of the term "mind map"[edit source | editbeta]
The term "mind map" was first popularized by British popular psychology
author and television personality Tony Buzan when BBC TV ran a series hosted
by Buzan called Use Your Head.[4][5] In this show, and companion book series,
Buzan enthusiastically promoted his conception of radial tree, diagramming
key words in a colorful, radiant, tree-like structure.[6]

Buzan says the idea was inspired by Alfred Korzybski's general semantics as
popularized in science fiction novels, such as those of Robert A. Heinlein and
A.E. van Vogt. Buzan argues that while "traditional" outlines force readers to
scan left to right and top to bottom, readers actually tend to scan the entire
page in a non-linear fashion. Buzan also uses popular assumptions about the
cerebral hemispheres in order to promote the exclusive use of mind mapping
over other forms of note making.

When compared with the concept map (which was developed by learning
experts in the 1970s) the structure of a mind map is a similar radial, but is
simplified by having one central key word.

Mind map guidelines[edit source | editbeta]

Buzan suggests the following guidelines for creating mind maps:

1. Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
2. Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your mind
map.
3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
4. Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.
5. The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The
central lines are thicker, organic and thinner as they radiate out from the
centre.
6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.
7. Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and
also to encode or group.
8. Develop your own personal style of mind mapping.
9. Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map.
10.Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or
outlines to embrace your branches.

This list is itself more concise than a prose version of the same information and
the mind map of these guidelines is itself intended to be more memorable and
quicker to scan than either the prose or the list. This is the latest technique
used by today's psychologists.

Uses[edit source | editbeta]

Rough mindmap notes taken during a course session

As with other diagramming tools, mind maps can be used to generate,

visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid to studying[7] and
organizing information, solving problems, making decisions, and writing.

Mind maps have many applications in personal, family, educational, and

business situations, including notetaking, brainstorming (wherein ideas are
inserted into the map radially around the center node, without the implicit
prioritization that comes from hierarchy or sequential arrangements, and
wherein grouping and organizing is reserved for later stages), summarizing, as
a mnemonic technique, or to sort out a complicated idea. Mind maps are also
promoted as a way to collaborate in color pen creativity sessions.

Mind maps can be used for:

 problem solving
 outline/framework design
 structure/relationship representations
 anonymous collaboration
  marriage of words and visuals
 individual expression of creativity
 condensing material into a concise and memorable format
 team building or synergy creating activity
 enhancing work morale

In addition to these direct use cases, data retrieved from mind maps can be
used to enhance several other applications, for instance expert search systems,
search engines and search and tag query recommender.[8] To do so, mind maps
can be analysed with classic methods of information retrieval to classify a mind
map's author or documents that are linked from within the mind map.[8]

Differences from other visualizations[edit source | editbeta]

 Concept 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. However, either can be part of a larger personal
knowledge base system.

 Modelling graphs - There is no rigorous right or wrong with mind maps,

relying on the arbitrariness of mnemonic systems. A UML diagram or a
semantic network has structured elements modelling relationships, with
lines connecting objects to indicate relationship. This is generally done in
black and white with a clear and agreed iconography. Mind maps serve a
different purpose: they help with memory and organization. Mind maps
are collections of words structured by the mental context of the author
with visual mnemonics, and, through the use of colour, icons and visual
links, are informal and necessary to the proper functioning of the mind
map.

Research[edit source | editbeta]

Farrand, Hussain, and Hennessy (2002) found that spider diagrams (similar to
concept maps) had limited, but significant, impact on memory recall in
undergraduate students (a 10% increase over baseline for a 600-word text
only) as compared to preferred study methods (a 6% increase over baseline).
This improvement was only robust after a week for those in the diagram group
and there was a significant decrease in motivation compared to the subjects'
preferred methods of note taking. Farrand et al. suggested that learners
preferred to use other methods because using a mind map was an unfamiliar
technique, and its status as a "memory enhancing" technique engendered
reluctance to apply it. Nevertheless the conclusion of the study was "Mind
maps provide an effective study technique when applied to written material.
However before mind maps are generally adopted as a study technique,
consideration has to be given towards ways of improving motivation amongst
users."[9]

Pressley, VanEtten, Yokoi, Freebern, and VanMeter (1998) found that learners
tended to learn far better by focusing on the content of learning material
rather than worrying over any one particular form of note taking.[10]

Hemispheric specialization theory has been identified as pseudoscientific when

applied to mind mapping.[11]

About Mind Maps®

The new millennium is being called the Millennium of the mind, and Mind
Mapping® is becoming widely accepted in schools, industry and government.
The great advantage of a Mind Map® is that it literally "maps" the way your
brain sees and creates connections; once mastered, it brings incredible clarity
and ease to any decision-making process, using all of the ways your brain
processes information - word, image, logic, number, rhythm, colour and spatial
awareness, so that you are literally thinking with your whole brain.

Mind Mapping® is a powerful technique used by millions - discover its power

today! The advantages of Mind Maps®, such as those shown here, are many:
  The relative importance of each idea is clearly indicated by how near it
is to the centre, which clearly features the main idea.
 The links between key concepts will be immediately obvious from their
proximity and connection to one another. The brain works primarily with
key concepts that it links and integrates. Mind Maps® work in the same
way, meaning that recall and review will be faster and more effective.
 The nature of the Mind Map® structure allows for the easy addition of
new information.
 Each Mind Map® has its own unique pattern, which further aids recall.
 The open-ended nature of the Mind Map® is a great aid to creativity,
allowing the brain to make new and exciting connections with ease.
 With practice, you'll find Mind Maps® help you to be your best in every
thinking situation.

Mind Maps®
Uses Benefits
Learning  Reduce those 'tons of work'.
 Feel good about study, revision and exams.
 Have confidence in your learning abilities

Overviewing  See the whole picture, the global view, at once.

 Understand the links and connections

Concentrating  Focus on the task for better results

 Using all your cortical skills attracts your attention

Memorising  Easy recall

 'See' the information in your mind's eye

Organising  Easy recall

 Be on top of all the details for parties, holidays, projects
or any other subject

Presenting  Speeches are clear, relaxed and alive. You can be at your
 best

Communicating  In all forms with clarity and conciseness

Meetings  From planning to agenda, to chairing, to taking the

minutes...the jobs are completed with speed and
efficiency

Training  From preparation to presentation, they make the job

easier and much faster

Thinking  Having a method to analyse thoughts - almost a 'way

station' for them

Negotiating  All issues, your position and maneuverability on one

sheet

Brain Blooming  The new brain-storming in which more thoughts are

generated and appropriately assessed.

Come along to a Mind Mapping workshop or organise one for your

organisation now!

Disadvantages of traditional linear notes:

Energy and time wasted writing down superfluous words.
Other information may be missed while noting down one idea.
Take longer to read and review.
Associations and connections between key words and ideas not readily
apparent.
Attention wanders easily.
Lack of color and other visual qualities handicap memory.
Traditional notes aid forgetting not memory.

Mind maps work the way the brain works -- which is not in nice neat lines.
Memory is naturally associative, not linear. Any idea probably has thousands of
links in your mind. Mind maps allow associations and links to be recorded and
reinforced.

The mind remembers key words and images, not sentences -- try recalling just
one sentence from memory!   Mind maps use just key words and key images,
allowing a lot more information to be put on a page.

Because mind maps are more visual and depict associations between key
words, they are much easier to recall than linear notes. (For example, although
you may not have studied it in depth, see how much of the Home Mind Map of
this site you can recall in your mind's eye.)

Starting from the center of the page rather than top-left corner allows you to
work out in all directions.

The organization of a mind map reflects the way your own brain organizes
ideas.

Mind maps are easy to review. Regular review reinforces memory. Best is to
try reviewing in your imagination first, then go back and check on those areas
that were hazy.

We remember what stands out (where were you when John Lennon was
shot?). Visual quality of mind maps allows you to make key points to stand out
easily.

Who needs mind mapping?

 Project managers wanting to present their ideas clearly to their team

 Employers providing information about job roles and responsibilities to
existing or prospective employees
 Socialites wanting to manage a busy schedule
 Students studying for exams, wanting to boost their learning capacity
  Party planners wanting to organise every aspect of an event without
getting overwhelmed
 Entrepreneurs wanting to create a dynamic business plan
 Marketers exploring potential avenues for promoting a product or
service
 Writers wanting to create original stories, articles and jokes
 Collaborative teams working on a project together
 Parents wanting to aid their child’s learning

…and you!

That’s right. We can’t shoehorn people into these ten categories. You’re an
individual. You might have responded ‘yes’ to more than one of those
statements – or none of them. For this reason, it’s only fair that I discuss the
many benefits of the mind mapping system. Only you can know whether the
system truly is right for you. Without further ado, here we go…

1. Mind maps are interactive. Perhaps you’re a manager, and you

need to collaborate with your staff on a project. Or you’re planning
your best friend’s wedding, and you want her input. Whether you
choose to use a paper-based or software-based mind map, it is easy
for others to participate by creating their own ‘branches’ – or ‘nodes’
as they are called on the Mindmeister program.
2. Mind maps are flexible. There are no limits as to what mind maps
can be used for. What’s more, mind mapping is suitable for all ages.
Your child can’t yet read. But with the power of mind maps, they can
learn. How cool is that? Just use images rather than words.
3. Mind maps are easy to create. All you need to get started is an idea.
You don’t need to write in sentences, or even use words at all – but
 you can if you want. You can express your ideas in the way you are
most comfortable with.
4. Mind maps are clear. The intention of a mind map is always clear –
the topic is always in the centre of the page, and there are no surplus
‘fillers’ to detract from the main aim of the map. Mind maps give you
an overview of an idea, and then allow you to explore the idea further
through sub-categories and keywords.
5. Mind maps are visually driven. As well as the perfect planning tool,
they are a wonderful presentational device. Don’t tell people your
ideas, show them! The fact that your initial concept is split up into
distinct categories will help others to understand.
6. Mind maps are practical. You’ll notice that in the ‘how to mind map’
section I kept on asking you to change the colour of your pen, node or
text. The reason for this is quite plain –mind mapping is essentially a
photograph of your thoughts, and nobody thinks in black and white!
Similarly, our brains don’t think in sentences. Brains think in ideas.
Mind maps encourage you to use keywords and images, which put
your point across clearly and cleanly.
But most of all… mind maps are fun! Creating a mind map doesn’t feel like
work, even though you’re accomplishing a lot. This is because they are
interactive, flexible, easy to use, clear, visually driven and practical.

What is a Mind Map?

A Mind Map is a powerful graphic technique, encompassing a range of cortical

skills –
words, images, number, logic, color, spatial awareness – in a unique way that
provides a
key to unlock the brain’s potential. It provides the freedom to roam the
expanses of your
brain while at the same providing the ability to organize huge amounts of
information in
ways that are brain-compatible and can provide clarity in thinking and enhance
memory.

Advantages of Mind Mapping

Reduces the ‘tons of work’ involved in study and revision for exams
􀂙 Provides the whole picture, the global view, at one glance.
􀂙 Provides the links and connections between ideas to make better sense of
information
􀂙 Focuses on using the cortical skills that attract your brain’s attention
􀂙 Provides for easy recall, helps you to see information in your ‘mind’s eye’
􀂙 Helps in organizing thoughts, planning for projects, papers, etc.
􀂙 Allows for freedom of thought and creativity in thinking and writing
Benefits of teaching students Mind Mapping
􀂃 Inspires students, making them more receptive to learning
􀂃 Makes lessons more creative & enjoyable for teacher and students
􀂃 More flexible and adaptable providing students with more freedom
􀂃 Shows the relationships between facts
Advantages of Mind Maps over Linear Notes
􀀹 Saves time reading only relevant words
􀀹 Saves time using (noting) only relevant words
􀀹 Saves time reviewing mind mapped notes
􀀹 Saves time not searching for key words (they’re already there)
􀀹 Focuses on what’s important – the real issues
􀀹 Essential key words are connected in time and space, important for recall
􀀹 Clear & appropriate associations between key words are made
􀀹 Allows for creativity, flow, and related ideas to be easily added
􀀹 Easier for the brain to remember because of visual stimulus of pictures,
colors, lines,
etc.
Katy Wrede --- Brain WiseWhat is a Mind Map?