How to Make a Concept Map

Reading time: about 5 min

Posted by: Lucid Content Team

5 easy steps for drawing a concept map

1. Select a drawing medium

2. Establish a main concept
3. Identify related concepts
4. Organize shapes and lines
5. Fine-tune the map

Concept mapping is brainstorming with a purpose. You start with

an overarching concept that you break down into its smaller parts,
using arrows and linking words to show how ideas are connected.
Common in education, concept maps are helpful in any field by
driving creative and visual thinking.

If you want more information on when to use concept maps, check

out our handy concept mapping guide.

A concept map helps you gain a better understanding of complex

topics, see the big picture, and discover new connections through
a collaborative and visual approach. With Lucidchart’s drag-and-
drop shapes, flexible lines, and real-time collaboration, you can
dive into any concept and map it out in a snap.
Basic Concept Map Template (Click on image to modify online)

Read on to learn how to easily draw a concept map so you can

communicate, problem-solve, and brainstorm more effectively.

5 easy steps for drawing a concept

map
1. Select a drawing medium

Many people just use pen and paper or a whiteboard because

they’re readily available, but it’s not easy to save your whiteboard
scribbles or make your handwritten diagram look professional
once you’re done.

Lucidchart, a cloud-based visual workspace, has the advantage of

saving your work in a digital format, so it’s easy to share, edit, and
polish your diagram. Plus, you can access your diagrams with any
Internet-enabled device.
2. Create a main concept

Whatever medium you choose, the next step is to determine the

central idea that you want to detail. If you’re not sure where to
begin, try identifying a portion of text, a classroom activity, or a
tough problem that needs solving.

It might be useful to come up with a single question, called a

focus question, that clearly specifies the problem or issue the
concept map will help resolve. Your concept map will consistently
lead back to that question and its answer.

3. Identify key concepts

Now that you’ve selected a main concept, the next step is to write
down subordinate concepts. Make a list of related ideas, and rank
them from the general to the specific. This list, also known as a
parking lot because you’re waiting to move these ideas to your
map, should consist of around 15-25 key concepts.

Describe each concept as briefly as possible; usually one or two

words per idea will suffice. Keeping your descriptions concise will
prevent your map from becoming bloated and text-heavy.

4. Organize shapes and lines

Order each of your concepts in a hierarchical format, with the

most general ideas at the top of the map under your main concept
and the most specific ones at the bottom. Your concept map will
take form as you connect shapes with lines and pinpoint the
correct location for each idea.
Concept maps typically have text, or linking words, written on each
line to make sense of the relationship between a general concept
and more specific ones. The text might include a specific verb like
“provides” or “encompasses.”

Once you’ve created this preliminary concept map containing the

basic links, add cross-links to illustrate relationships between
concepts that are on the same level of specificity.

5. Fine-tune the map

As you add links to every concept, be sure to carefully examine the

relationships you’re illustrating. Ask yourself questions like:

• Does every element fit well in its respective place?

• Is there a better position for this idea or group of ideas?
• Can I use a more accurate linking word to represent this
relationship?

These questions will help you improve cognitive performance and

challenge your knowledge on any subject.

Remember this is a preliminary map that will likely need revising.

Lucidchart makes it simple to rearrange shapes on the page, add
supplementary notes and comments, and even apply attractive
styling to your diagram.

With Lucidchart, you can easily create organized concept maps

and other specialized diagrams right in your web browser. Start a
free trial and see for yourself!

Try Lucidchart free

Concept map examples
Here are a few examples of what you could do with Lucidchart.
Use any of these templates as inspiration or starting points for
your own concept maps.

Sales Management Concept Map Example (Click on image to modify online)

Nursing Concept Map Example (Click on image to modify online)

HR Concept Map Example (Click on image to modify online)

Spider Concept Map Example (Click on image to modify online)