Mind Maps
Mind Mapping is the system of note-making, note-taking and thinking devised by [i]Tony Buzan. Mind Maps are used throughout the world by students, business people and professionals to help them to think, learn and work more effectively. They are a great way to use non-linear thinking and to display a subject using both words and images.
The key steps to work through are as follows:
-
HOW TO START
Start in the centre of a blank landscape page of paper with a colourful, unframed image representing the subject. Be creative as all ‘branches’ will come from this central point.
-
CREATE MAIN BRANCHES
Make the branches closest to the centre thicker, attached to the image and organic in shape. Don’t worry about your drawing ability; this is about getting down on paper the connections that you have in your mind, relating to the topic.
-
MAIN SUBJECTS
Place the main aspects of the subject on these branches. Have as many as you like, try to ensure you get everything written down.
-
SUB-THEMES
Branch thinner lines off the end of the main branches and add sub-themes, grouping these where necessary, or linking to other themes or sub-themes.
-
IMAGES
Use images instead of or as well as words wherever possible. The image or word should always sit on a line of the same length. Make the Mind Map as enticing to look at and interesting as you can.
-
NEXT LEVELS
Add consecutive levels of detail by adding further branches and single words or images on them. Take this as far as you need for the topic.
-
COLOUR
You can make each Mind Map unique and more memorable by using colour, codes, arrows and highlighting.
-
HAVE FUN!
Have fun and develop your own Mind Mapping style!
[i] Anthony Peter ‘Tony’ Buzan is an English author and educational consultant. Buzan popularised the idea of mental literacy and a thinking technique called Mind Mapping
