how to do a mind map for an assignment

How to make a mind map

How to make a mind map in 5 steps

Mind maps are great for visually organizing your thoughts and generating new ideas. In this guide, we'll share five easy steps on how you can make a mind map that serves your needs — including what to look out for when choosing a mind mapping tool .

Let’s get started.

1. Define your central idea

Learning how to make a mind map starts with having a central idea we want to expand on. Here are a few tips to help you identify your central idea:

Identify the purpose

Think about why you’re creating the mind map in the first place. Are you brainstorming ways to improve your website? Are you coming up with ways to increase sales? Having a central topic will help you make sure that any ideas you add to your mind map are always relevant.

Keep it clear and concise

Keep your central idea clear, concise, and easy to understand for everyone working on the mind map. This means using a few words of simple language to convey what the main topic is. For example, if you want to come up with ideas to improve your website, your main topic might be ‘website improvement.’

Use a focus question

Although the main topic is short and sweet, you can add a focus question to provide additional context to your mind map. For instance, going back to the website improvement idea, your focus question could be, “How can we attract more traffic to our website?”

Though it’s a little longer, it still communicates a clear focus to tie all your ideas back to.

2. Branch out from your central idea

With your central concept in place, you can now branch out and add ideas that relate to it. Let’s use website improvements as an example again. Some of the related ideas you might come up with for this mind map include ‘search engine optimization,’ and ‘social media campaigns.’

From there, you can continue branching out and adding more related ideas. For instance, under ‘search engine optimization,’ you could branch out and add ‘create new content’ and ‘optimize existing content.’

Tip: Want to run a brainstorming session where every participant gets a chance to share their idea? Use our free Brainwriting Template to set your team up for success.

3. Customize your mind map

After adding all your ideas, take a second to customize the layout. It’s not only a chance to add structure to your thoughts but also to emphasize your brand’s unique style — which might come in especially handy if you’re presenting your mind map externally. Here are some examples of how to make a mind map pop:

Colors are a simple but effective way to categorize your ideas. For example, all marketing ideas are green, while sales ideas are blue. At a glance, your team can see which ideas relate to which department.

Images can provide additional context to some ideas on your mind map. For instance, if you have an idea about how a product should look, you can use an image of a similar product to help your team visualize the concept.

Group similar ideas

Keeping similar themes close together in your mind map is a good idea. That way, when planning your next steps, it’ll be easier to identify similar themes and topics.

In Miro, for example, you can easily drag your ideas around, rearrange branches, and add sticky notes to label your groups — all in a matter of seconds.

4. Get feedback on your mind map

Depending on the goal of your mind map, you might want to get some feedback on it. Share your mind map with teammates, clients, or anyone else who can share any relevant input that’ll bring you closer to your goals.

Using a tool like Miro makes it especially easy to share your mind map — whether you want to invite others to leave comments on your board, share a link, or export your mind map.

Pro tip: Want to present your mind map without having to schedule another meeting? Use TalkTrack to record interactive audio and video walkthroughs that your team can watch and comment on in their own time.

5. Create a plan of action

Once you’ve finalized your mind map, use it as the foundation for your next steps. Create an action plan to identify what you need to do to bring your new idea to life — whether that’s by creating and delegating tasks, or creating a roadmap.

For instance, if your mind map generates ideas for new product features, you might create a product development roadmap . If you’re hoping to improve an internal process, you might create a process map instead. It all depends on why you made the mind map and what you wanted to achieve.

Create a mind map in Miro

Now that you know how to make a mind map, it’s time to create your own.

Miro makes it fun and easy (and free!) to get started. Our Mind Map Template is not only fully customizable but also comes with automated diagramming tools — allowing you to quickly expand on ideas and connect them.

Want to create one from scratch? Drag and drop shapes, lines, images, sticky notes, and more. With plenty of customization options, powerful collaboration features, and an infinite canvas to work on, the sky’s the limit. Sign up for Miro to get started.

Discover more

What is a mind map?

A guide to concept mapping

How to make a concept map: A step-by-step guide

Bubble maps: What are they and why you shoud use them?

What is process mapping?

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How to Make a Mind Map

What do you want to do with mind maps.

Create a mind map to organize your thoughts, generate new ideas, and improve creativity. This guide will show you how to create an incredible mind map that fulfills all your needs.

2 minute read

Want to create your own mind map? Try Lucidchart. It's fast, easy, and totally free.

1. Begin with the main concept

First determine the main purpose of your mind map and write it down. Since mind maps start from the inside and expand outward, your central idea will become the core topic of the diagram. Your main concept could be:

A problem you’re trying to work through

The project you’re brainstorming

A difficult concept that you’re trying to learn

Let’s say you have to write an essay on Benjamin Franklin. In this case, Benjamin Franklin would be the main concept since he is the focus of the essay.

2. Add branches to the main concept

Now that you have determined the main purpose of your mind map, add branches that will outline the most basic subtopics. The branches should help you to begin organizing the information. Don’t worry about including a lot of details, keywords and short phrases will be more than enough.

In the case of our essay on Benjamin Franklin, the main subtopics that you should chart out are the main branches that explain his life. More detail into these initial branches will be included as we continue to add branches.

3. Explore topics with Collaborative AI

Once you identify the main subjects within your topic, you can use Collaborative AI to generate more ideas or expand with questions to help build upon the idea. You can also use AI to summarize your entire mind map, which makes it possible to share key takeaways and move forward with next steps.

4. Add images and colors

Maintain organization within your mind map by using standard colors for the different levels of thoughts within your diagram. If you are using Lucidchart, the colors will be managed for you. Furthermore, using images will help you to both visualize, and memorize the various parts of your mind map. Images can also be used to link shapes instead of the traditional box shape.

In our example with Benjamin Franklin, we have added more branches until we were ready to write the essay. If we were studying for an exam instead of writing an essay, the icons used could be especially helpful to boost memorization.

Create a mind map in Lucidchart

Additional resources.

• All About Mind Maps

Lucidchart is an incredible tool that will make organizing even complex problems very simple. As you continue to create mind maps you will find that Lucidchart is incredibly easy to use for both the beginner, and more advanced users.

Productivity

Productivity tips

How to Make Mind Maps: Visualize Your Ideas for Better Brainstorming

It’s inspiring that such massively successful blockbusters started on napkins, but that’s the first step for any good idea, right? Getting ideas out of your head and putting it into the world in some tangible way is how you turn them into reality.

Most people don’t sketch the next great animated movie characters on napkins, but we all need a way to tease out our ideas, think through concepts, and put them into a usable format. That's essential for creativity, in our personal lives and in business. Lists, outlines, and notes can help, but they don’t always lend themselves to radical innovation, learning, or problem-solving.

There’s a better way: mind maps.

What Are Mind Maps?

Mind maps are a visual way to organize your thoughts around one topic using words, colors, images and numbers to highlight ideas and draw connections. Invented by Tony Buzan in the 1960s, mind mapping is much more than drawing: It’s a framework to help you fully think through ideas, and show how topics and ideas are connected and allowing with more flexibility than an outline or list affords.

Mind mapping can be a solo or team activity, and they can be used for all types of tasks: learning, thinking through ideas, strategic planning, mapping out processes or organizing overwhelming amounts of information. I’ve even come across mind maps made to plan weddings or organize Thanksgiving dinner.

Roy Grubb, Managing Director at G&A Management Consultants Ltd and creator of the Visual Thinking Center , told me mind maps are of two types: "Maps where the benefit is mainly in the process of making the map, the thinking process, the memory jogging, the stimulation of new ideas and associations; and maps where the benefit is the map as a reference and communication point."

Why Use Mind Maps Instead of Lists or Outlines?

You don't have to make a mind map—you could just jot a note down on that napkin, or use an outlining app to list the things you're thinking about. So why mind maps?

"Lists always get long, and they assign importance in terms of where the item is on the list," explained MeisterLabs co-founder Michael Hollauf. "If something is further down, it’s inherently less important. If you have topics that are on a similar level, it’s hard to show that in a list. Mind maps can reorganize really easily if you decide something belongs to something else."

In other words, instead of capturing information linearly by default, mind maps can show--and help you discover--connections between different topics, the way your mind works.

List or outlines can be great for small tasks, but Grubb told me fresh ideas are more likely to pop up when creating a mind map because of the free format. "When I’m planning a project, a mind map helps me capture my ideas without having to lay out steps in a linear fashion. I find that a linear list, or even an outline, hems me in and stops me thinking freely."

How to make a mind map

Mind maps are pretty simple to create, and you can build them on a whiteboard, sketch them on a piece of paper, or use a mind mapping app to create them. These basic steps apply in any medium:

1. Start in the Middle With a Central Idea

This can be a word or an image/picture that represents the central topic you’re going to map.

2. Create Branches to Represent Sub-topics

These should be limited to words or short phrases. Keep a good amount of space between your ideas to leave room to add on later.

3. Add Details to Your Mind Map

You can vary colors, word cases, font styles, and even the thickness of your branch lines to separate or group different topics or ideas. Or, you can add photos, notes, and more to add more detail to your map.

4. Make Connections

You can draw lines or arrows between ideas in the map that you want to connect.

Keep expanding for as long as you need to. You might feel done with your map after one sitting, but it could also be something you keep and adjust or add to over time.

Other Mind Mapping Tips

If you’re a beginner

For mind mapping beginners, it can be helpful to have a pro guide your first few maps.

"Look for someone who often uses mind maps and ask their opinion," Grubb told me. "This can help to remove blocks to mastering the technique in the early days."

If you’re not artistically inclined

Don’t worry if you’re not an artist; that’s not the point of a mind map.

"One of the things we hear often is ‘I can’t draw,’" says Raphaela Brandner, marketing manager at MeisterLabs , creators of mind-mapping tool MindMeister. "It’s not about making it beautiful, it’s about making it memorable."

You don’t need to make a masterpiece: "They’re thinking tools, not works of art," Grubb says.

If you’re mapping with your team

When mapping with others, it helps to set some ground rules first. "What we do here is we come to some fort of agreement for how the map is going to be used," Brandner says. "We say we’ll ‘add comments here’ or ‘use these icons for this.’"

With technical teams, Grubb opts for mind mapping software on a laptop with the map projected onto a screen. For teams who are new to mind maps, he maps on large sheets of paper or a whiteboard.

"It helps to be in front of the map, talking as I add to it while the ideas bounce back and forth," he says. "I can explain what I’m doing as we go along, and at the end, capture images of the maps on a phone before erasing them."

As the meeting progresses, Grubb gets people more involved: "I look for opportunities to hand over the marker so that everyone has ownership of the mind map."

If you’re working remotely

Mind mapping tools make it easy for distributed teams make maps together.

"When working with others who may be in distant offices, online mind mapping services, like MindMeister or Mindmup , are indispensable," Grubb says. "Several people can work on a map simultaneously and they can chat online or in the app. Both MindMeister and Mindmup have project planning capabilities, allowing dates and resources to be added to individual items."

Other mind mapping tools include Mindjet , Coggle , XMind , FreeMind and MindNode .

When to Use Mind Maps

Mind maps are often used in schools, so people tend to associate them mainly with learning and studying. But there are a ton of business applications for mind maps, too.

"Many students are shown how to make mind maps to help with learning but never take the skill on into their business careers," Grubb says. "Those that do find they have a tool that is good for much more than just understanding school work."

Grubb told me he sees businesses using mind maps for ideation, product design, website design, project planning, management, report writing, and planning software testing.

Here are just a few business-focused tasks mind maps can help with:

When Absorbing What You Read

Reading is an important way to grow as a professional, but with busy schedules, it can be hard to digest a book or resource enough to apply it to your work.

Mind maps can help you truly absorb what you read. For example, Grubb used a MindMap to summarize the book Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath. First, he read the book and highlighted words and phrases that caught his attention. When he was done reading, he went back and made a mind map from the highlighted sections and was able to use that mind map to successfully guide his next project.

Learn how to read more, faster, with our guide to reading 50 books each year .

When Preparing for a Speech or Presentation

Students turn to mind maps—especially hand-written maps—when studying because they help with memorization.

"That tactile experience works a lot better for memorizing," Brandner says. "That’s what I did in school. Once you have mind map and you’re about to go into the exam, you redraw the mind map by hand to get it into your brain."

You could use a similar process to prepare for a speech or presentation. You’ll feel more confident about the content and might not have to rely on notes as much during the presentation.

Need a presentation app? Check out our roundup of the 20 best PowerPoint alternatives

When Managing a Project

Some project managers use mind maps to take notes in meetings. Instead of pages of linear notes, you can put the meeting topic in the middle and create branches for each major sub-topic discussed.

"When I do this, it’s amazing to me how I see things differently," writes business analyst and marketer Tim Walker . "I pay more attention during the meeting, and I leave with a much better idea of what I could do next to move the work forward."

Making mind maps can also help prioritize project tasks.

"When you map things radially, you take away the rank order and chronology that’s inherent in an outline or Gantt chart," Walker writes . "Instead of prematurely worrying about which part of your project comes first in sequence, or which part deserves the most resources, you can focus on getting the right issues surfaced in a way that promotes dialogue, understanding, and problem-solving"

Learn how to effectively manage projects—and find the tools you need to help you out—with Zapier's Ultimate Guide to Project Management .

When Trying to Generate New Ideas

Use mind maps to combat writer's’ block, think up new product ideas, or generate possible solutions to a problem you’re facing.

"Generating a starting point for innovation can be one of the most productive uses of mapping," Grubb writes . "Ideas can tumble out of control. Writing them in a list easily kills the inspiration, but organizing them in a mind map not only gives the freedom to wander ‘all over the map,’ but encourages grouping, thus often bringing ideas together that give birth to new thoughts."

For more ways to spark new ideas, check out GV's design sprints which help Google's teams turn moonshots into reality.

Automate Your Mind Maps

Your mind maps can be put to even more use if you connect your content in them with your favorite apps. With Zapier, an app automation tool, you can send tasks or topics from MindManager Enterprise to many other apps, such as Google Docs, Trello, Asana, and Evernote.

For example:

Send MindManager content to Google Docs

Send MindManager tasks to Trello

Send MindManager topics to Box

Send MindManager tasks to Asana

Send MindManager content to Evernote

See other MindManager Enterprise app integrations or create your own.

Who knows, maybe you are planning to pitch an idea to Pixar for Hollywood’s next loveable robot, clown fish, or furry monster. If so, ditch the napkins, and try a mind map.

And the next time you want to make sense of information, successfully plan a big project, run a meeting, learn something new, streamline the way you work or even plan Thanksgiving, mind maps can work for you, too.

Mind Map Examples and Further reading

How to Use Mind Maps to Unleash Your Brain's Creativity and Potential

Mind Mapping for the Project Manager

Meeting Management With Mind Maps

The best brainstorming tools

Still want to use notes or outlines to organize your thoughts? Check out our roundups of the best notes software and outlining apps to find the tools you need.

Mind Map photo by INPIVIC Family via Flickr . Mind map example by Roy Grubb . Mind map screenshots via MindMeister .

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Genevieve Colman

Genevieve Colman is a User Experience Manager who enjoys uncomplicating complex language and finding the perfect GIF for every situation.

• Personal productivity
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• How to create a mind map

There are three steps to mind mapping.

Step 1: Brainstorm

A brainstorm is a thinking process commonly used in study and work situations. It can be done individually or in a group.

How to brainstorm

• Use a piece of paper to write down everything you can think of about a particular topic.
• Write the name of the topic in the centre of the page.
• Do not try to organise the information at all - the purpose is to get it out and onto the page.
• Use key words or phrases to write your ideas.
• Always use the paper horizontally as this way you can fit more information.

Example 1 - Brainstorm of the topic 'History of antibiotics'

Step 2: Organise the information

Organise the information in the brainstorm by identifying the main categories and linking the other information to those as follows:

• circle the main categories
• connect sub-points to main categories
• use colours and visuals where helpful.

Step 3: Complete the mind map

Rewrite the information under headings and sub-points to make the mind map easy to read. In this example the use of graphics and colours helps clarify the mind map.

Here is an example of how you might structure a mind map for an essay topic.

• The best mind mapping software

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How to Make a Mind Map with Mind Mapping Software

Once you have learned what a mind map is , it's time to get started! This page will describe how to make a mind map and follow best practices in doing so. We will assume that you will be using a mind mapping software tool as opposed to pen and paper.

• Enter the Main Topic. Start by entering the main subject in the center of the mind map , for instance “Capitals of the world”.
• Brainstorm Topics. Create main branches to enter your topics such as “London”, “Paris”, “New York” and “Beijing”. Do not worry about the order of the topics.
• Create Sub-Topics. Elaborate on your topics by creating sub-topics. Make sure to use very short phrases or even single words.
• Rearrange the Topics. If you need to rearrange the topics in your mind map, most software tools allow you to drag-and-drop branches. This will enable you to structure the topics that you brainstormed.
• Add Images and Formatting. According to the mind mapping theory , images and colors improve memory retention. You can use different colors and fonts and place images on branches.
• Notes and Research. Take notes to your topics and attached research files - if your mind mapping software allows you to.

Learn how to use mind mapping in Business and Education .

• It is faster to brainstorm and enter information.
• Re-arranging branches and formatting is much easier.
• You do not run out of “space”, as you tend to do with larger mind maps on paper.
• You can take unlimited notes and attach files.
• Some commercial mind mapping software tools enable you to export your mind map to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project etc. without re-entering information.

Mind Mapping Software Tips

Do you want to get started making mind maps? There are several mind mapping software programs on the market, so how do you choose? Which platform do you pick and which program is the best? Before you select your preferred mind mapping software it is important to understand your needs, objectives and costs/benefits. Here are a few software tips that you might find useful.

Free Mind Mapping Software

There are many free mind mapping tools, such as FreeMind, that are a good option if you want to make basic mind maps. There are also some subscription-based online mind mapping tools which allow users to store maps on the internet for sharing and collaboration. Working online may prove a little cumbersome because it is dependent on your internet connection and some features, shortcuts and habits will be different from traditional desktop software. However, online mind mapping software makes it easy for an educational institution to provide remote access to students.

Storing mind maps containing confidential or sensitive information online could cause some security issues that conflict with company policies, GDPR compliance and educational regulations for storing student data. Please beware that some cloud solutions lure you in with free basic versions but charge on a monthly basis for the advanced features you may need.

There are many iPad, mobile and Tablet PC solutions available but they are yet to reach the standard of desktop applications when it comes to creating the basic mind map. As far as overviewing the map, small screen size is a problem even for average sized maps – which is basically the whole point! It will take some time and practice to master typing and capturing information on a small screen.

Commercial Mind Mapping Software

If you are planning to use mind mapping in a corporate environment, as a productivity tool, it is important to consider what the program allows you do with the mind map once you've created it. For example, can you convert your mind map into an outline in MS Word? Professional desktop applications typically integrate with MS Office which enables you to continue working with your ideas in other documents without re-entering data. You should always test the MS Office integration properly before selecting your tool. There is a big discrepancy in quality among the mind mapping software available on the market.

Does the software offer several layouts, such as Top-Down, Left-Right, Fishbone, Timeline, Outline, Gantt charts, etc.? How complex and useful is each view? Can you transfer information between each view without losing information?

Many mind mapping software users rely on mind maps to plan projects at different levels, from simple "to-do lists", work breakdown structures or complete Gantt charts. Professional mind mapping software tools such as MindView allow you to add task information to the map and contain a built-in Gantt chart view.

• Ease of use
• Look and feel
• Variety of templates available
• Number of different layouts (Mind Map, Top-Down, Left-Right, Outline, Timeline, Gantt chart, etc.)
• Integration with MS Office (import/export to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Project)
• Sharing of files with attachments
• Handling of task information and project management rules
• Collaboration options including shared workspace and multiuser editing

Create your mind map today!

Key features:.

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The Complete Guide on How to Mind Map for Beginners

The more you know and learn, the easier it is to learn and know more. – Tony Buzan

What is Mind Mapping?

Mind mapping is a visual information management tool that helps us structure, organize, memorize, arrange, brainstorm and learn information in a highly specialized way.

The past 20 years have brought us incredible insights into the human mind and our limitless capacity to think, comprehend and store vast reserves of information.

If anything, these studies have highlighted that our capacity to think effectively and quickly is very closely tied to our imagination and our ability to create associations between various information chunks.

Mind mapping has come a long way since the early days when Tony Buzan  first introduced it to the world. It is now on the brink of becoming a mainstream tool used by academics, students, business professionals and many other individuals to manage, organize and reimagine information in a new and highly structured way.

These days though, mind mapping isn’t just about creating a map. It’s instead evolving into a visual information management tool that’s transforming the way we think, work, and develop our  visual thinking capacity .

The Visual Mapping Evolution

Visual mapping has slowly crept into mainstream awareness over a period of about 10 years. There are now a plethora of visual mapping software applications available on all platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Our methods for organizing information are changing dramatically, and visual mapping is quietly becoming a revolutionary tool that’s keeping us organized, productive, and focused. The question is…

Are you on board yet?

What follows is a beginner’s overview of the principles behind mind mapping.

Along the way, we will also explore several mind mapping examples using a variety of mind mapping software programs. This exploration will provide you with a visual comparison of the features of each tool to help you figure out whether or not it might be suitable for your purposes.

We will begin our exploration by defining the process of mind mapping. After which we will delve into the benefits of mind mapping and describe a variety of uses for mind maps.

We will conclude our discussion by taking a look at the industry accepted standards of how to draw mind maps and the rules that govern their design.

A Broader Definition of Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a method for storing, organizing, prioritizing, learning, reviewing and memorizing information.

It presents an overview and summary of a body of knowledge that fuses words and pictures together.

Mind mapping seamlessly blends logic and creative thought to help us think more proficiently and effectively about the subject we are learning.

What are the Benefits of Mind Mapping?

The benefits of mind mapping are extensive and far-reaching.

In a general way, mind mapping expands our ability to think laterally and logically in any given situation.

Listed below are several benefits of using mind maps for thinking, organizing information, and brainstorming ideas .

Mind mapping…

• Helps you grasp a big picture overview of the subject under study.
• Improves your capacity to explore detailed snippets of information.
• Helps improve your memory, retention, and comprehension of information.
• Helps you organize information into easy to remember chunks.
• Helps reduce mental clutter, cope with information overload, and overwhelm .
• Stimulates the imagination and encourages creative insights and ideas.
• Helps enhance your level of focus and concentration while working or studying.
• Helps expand your ability to take effective, better organized, and more comprehensive notes.
• Makes learning and organizing information fun and exciting, which subsequently strengthens your interest in the subject matter.
• Helps accelerate your ability to solve complex problems .
• Improved your capacity to manage your academic workload.
• Helps unlock hidden understandings within information chunks.
• Helps unlock unexpected creative insights and ideas.
• Helps you save time while working, studying or learning.
• Helps you to prepare for tests and examinations.
• Helps provide you with more clarity about your goals , ideas, and actions.
• Helps triggers creative associations between seemingly unrelated bits of information.

This list of benefits is, of course, by no means comprehensive. There are many more value-added benefits that are specific to individuals who consistently work with mind maps.

To gain actual value from using mind maps, you will need to commit yourself to incorporating them into your work and study routine for at least 30 days.  You will need at the very least four weeks to fully comprehend the value that mind maps can bring to your life.

Remember though, that you don’t necessarily need to be a doodler to gain value from using mind maps. Mind mapping isn’t about pretty little pictures and doodles. It’s rather about the structure and process you use to organize and make sense of information.

What Can Mind Maps be Used for?

Since the dawn of the Internet Age, mind mapping has been growing steadily as a traditional method for collating, organizing, and expanding upon existing knowledge and information.

Over this period, many people have shared extraordinary insights about how they have used mind maps to help them organize, manage and improve their lives.

What follows, are various uses for mind maps that people from all walks of life have found of value.

Mind Mapping for Work Productivity

Here are examples of ways professionals use mind mapping at work:

• Planning sales strategy
• Planning marketing strategy
• Organizing and managing projects
• Organizing and managing meetings
• Preparing for networking events
• Preparing for interviews
• Business planning
• Research and development

Mind Mapping for Academic Success

Here are examples of ways students use mind mapping at school:

• Learning languages
• Learning grammar
• Preparing for examinations
• Preparing a structure for writing essays
• Preparing presentations
• Brainstorming ideas
• Solving problems
• Thinking creatively and critically about topics
• Memorizing subject notes, books, and materials
• For general study and revision of information

Mind Mapping for Life Management

Here are examples of ways people use mind mapping to manage their life:

• Managing time
• Managing events
• Goal setting
• Keeping a diary
• Holiday planning
• Financial planning
• Tracking important dates, events, and information

The things that can be achieved and the amount of information we can manage at one time using mind maps is absolutely extraordinary. And this list only scrapes the surface of what’s possible.

How do I Draw a Mind Map?

Drawing a mind map involves a rather simple process. All that’s required is an understanding of its underlying structure.

Mind mapping is, in fact, a process that requires very little step-by-step explanation. For that reason, I will break it down for you here in only a few brief steps.

Here are several quick guidelines to help you get started drawing your very first mind map:

• Take out a large sheet of paper and place it horizontally in front of you.
• Draw a reasonably sized (colored) memorable central image that represents the topic you are going to be mapping. Alternatively, draw a circle and write some words inside the circle to represent that image.
• Draw at least four  thick organic looking branches radiating outwards from the central image. Using a different color for each branch is helpful.
• Write key-words (headings) along these branches that represent the central image and the topic you are mapping.
• Draw additional branches that extend from your main branches. The words on these branches are sub-topics of the words you wrote on your main branches.
• Keep expanding the mind map outwards with additional sub sub-topics/keywords and branches.
• Refer to the mind mapping rules presented in the next section to help improve your memory and recall of the information you are mapping.

For more information about how to draw mind map step-by-step, please see Drawing a Mind Map from Start to Finish .

What are the Rules for Mind Mapping?

The content in this section is built upon the mind mapping software examples presented in the next section.

You will gain significant value by downloading these images and referring to them as you work through the mind mapping rules listed below.

These mind mapping software screenshots will likewise provide you with a visual representation of the critical points of emphasis discussed below.

To improve your memory and recall of the mind map you are creating, it’s essential to use some creative tools that will help stimulate deeper conscious awareness and free association.

Please keep in mind that it’s not necessary to follow all the guidelines listed below. However, it can be incredibly helpful if you check all of them off your list. That’s because following each guideline will help improve your memory and recall of the information you are mind mapping.

Okay, here are several mind mapping rules you should keep in mind when creating your mind maps.

• Use symbols to classify different types of thoughts and ideas.
• Use keywords on lines. Short phrases can also work well.
• Use multi-headed arrows of varying color, size, style and dimensions.
• Use codes to help draw your attention to specific sections of the map.
• Use proper spacing between topics to separate your ideas.
• Use stimulating images and colors throughout the map.
• Use images to represent words in a metaphorical, sound-like, or in a direct manner.
• Create boundaries and borders to draw attention to specific branches.
• Create linear hierarchies of ordered numbers, lists and letters.
• Create a hierarchy of lines where they start off think then thin out as they expand outward.
• Draw thick branches that radiate outwards away from the central image.
• Create word-hierarchies by varying word sizes to emphasize their level of importance.
• Use UPPER and lower case to emphasize the importance of each word.
• Create a memorable central image and complementary visuals that come off the main branches.
• Draw different shapes to represent ideas and segments of the map.
• Vary font styles to separate ideas and topics.
• Vary branch colors to distinguish different topics.
• Vary branch endings to emphasize words and phrases.
• Vary branch thickness to highlight specific ideas.
• Vary image colors, emphasis, and size to improve memory and recall.

For information on how to study using mind maps, please have read of  mind mapping study skills .

Drawing mind maps in this way help stimulate our imaginations, form stronger visual associations while improving memory and recall of the information we are learning.

Below is a mind map that was drawn by Paul Foreman . It presents the above-mentioned mind mapping rules in a visually beautiful and practical way.

Drawing mind maps in this way allow for greater flexibility and freedom. It provides your brain with avenues for creative self-expression.

To see more of Paul Foreman’s  collection of creative and inspirational mind maps, please visit his Mind Map Inspiration  website.

Paul also has a beautiful  Drawing Tips for Mind Mapping ebook where he teaches how to create mind maps from scratch.

For further insight into Paul’s drawing and mind mapping techniques, have a read of How I Drew My Mind Maps ebook. There Paul discusses how he draws his mind maps using a simple and easy to follow process of steps.

Creating a Mind Map Using Mind Mapping Software

These days there are a wide array of mind mapping software applications available on the market. Whether you’re on a PC, a MAC, using Android, iOS, or Linux, there is a mind mapping application available for every platform.

Below I have represented the mind mapping rules (discussed above) using 3 leading mind mapping software applications.

As you will see below, each mind mapping application represents these rules in a slightly different way. I have also provided a short explanation of each software applications unique features below each image.

These images will provide you with a good point-of-reference of what each software application is capable of. However, do keep in mind that each software has many other additional features that I do not explore in this article.

iMindMap is a cartoon-like mind mapping software applications that most closely resembles the hand-drawn mind maps created by Paul Foreman . The design of this software is also very heavily influenced by Tony Buzan’s  rules for mind mapping.

The software is relatively simple to use, allowing each user the ability to draw and extend branches with their mouse or a digital pen.

Content is added to each branch via the keyboard once that branch (line) has been selected. Colors, fonts, images, symbols, and discrete notes can also be added to each branch as required.

The software is quite pleasing to the eyes from a graphical perspective and is probably most suited to young children and those who are starting out with mind mapping.

In recent years, iMindMap has been adding a ton of new features and capabilities to each version of their software. It began as a straightforward mind mapping tool. However, today it has a plethora of features for students, business professionals, or those looking for a robust information management tool. Definitely one of the better options on the market today.

MindManager

MindManager is a feature-rich mind mapping application that structures content and information in a very systematic and organized way.

MindManager’s primary market seems to be business professionals. Their approach to mind mapping is very elegant and straightforward.

It doesn’t look as flashy from a graphical perspective when compared to iMindMap. However, it has a vast array of features for managing information, projects, goals and more.

MindManager provides the user the ability to organize, arrange and categorize information in a variety of ways. It also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office and Outlook.

MindManager allows you to attach discrete notes to every branch, to insert symbols, images, web-pages, file shortcuts, folder links, and more. It also has a Gannt Chart and Flowchart feature.

MindManager also comes with an integrated web browser and permits users to save their mind map creations in an interactive pdf format that can be shared with others who don’t have access to the software application.

I have personally used MindManager extensively since 2008 to plan my blog posts, set goals, organize my time, manage the information I am learning, brainstorm ideas, and much more. My life would no doubt be very cluttered without it. 🙂

NovaMind seamlessly blends the features found within iMindMap and MindManager and improves on them in several respects.

Within NovaMind you can position the branches exactly where you want them on the map. Moreover, you can create different branch styles as you can see in the example above.

NovaMind also gives users the option to use a variety of layouts and to attach graphics and text to their mind maps. They have a fantastic graphics libraries, all of which help the user produce beautiful mind maps.

NovaMind is excellent for teaching and learning, as it provides a number of unique and helpful features like the Suggesterator which suggests new ideas related to what you already have on your mind map.

There is also the BranchStorm capability which helps you blast ideas out very quickly. The user can also print out mind maps without text on the branches to assist with note-taking, memorization, and revision.

NovaMind also has specialist features for screenwriting, presentations, and project management, as well as a long list of import and export options.

NovaMind hasn’t received as many updates or upgrades as iMindMap and MindManager over the years. However, it’s still a fantastic option for those on a budget who are looking for a reliable mind mapping software solution.

Finally, I would also recommend taking a look at Xmind . They offer a free and paid version of their mind mapping software application.

Concluding Thoughts

I hope that this introduction to mind maps has helped answer some of the questions you might have had about mind mapping and the various software applications that are available on the market today.

Mind mapping is growing in popularity every year and gaining an ever greater foothold within niche specific industries where information management is of critical importance.

As a result, it will continue to grow, evolve, and adapt to our ever-changing information management needs.

Time to Assimilate these Concepts

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Did you gain value from this article? Is it important that you know and understand this topic?   Would you like to optimize how you think about this topic? Would you like a method for applying these ideas to your life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I’m confident you will gain tremendous value from using the accompanying IQ Matrix for coaching or self-coaching purposes. This mind map provides you with a quick visual overview of the article you just read. The branches, interlinking ideas, and images model how the brain thinks and processes information. It’s kind of like implanting a thought into your brain – an upgrade of sorts that optimizes how you think about these concepts and ideas. 🙂

Recommended IQ Matrix Bundles

If you’re intrigued by the idea of using mind maps for self-improvement then I would like to invite you to become an IQ Matrix Member.

If you’re new to mind mapping or just want to check things out, then register for the Free 12 Month Membership Program . There you will gain access to over 90 mind maps, visual tools, and resources valued at over $500. 

If, on the other hand, you want access to an ever-growing library of 100s of visual tools and resources, then check out our Premium Membership Packages . These packages provide you with the ultimate visual reference library for all your personal development needs.

Free Articles and Resources

Here are a number of highly recommended free articles and online resources that will further help expand your understanding of mind mapping:

• 10 Tony Buzan Mind Mapping Laws You Should Follow  @ Magnetic Memory Method
• Drawing a Mind Map from Start to Finish @ Mind Map Inspiration
• How to Make a Mind Map @ WikIT
• Learn How to Draw Mind Maps @ Mind Tools
• How to Create a Mind Map  @ HubPages
• The Mind Mapping Directory

Mind Mapping Software Applications

Here are several mind mapping software applications you might like to check out.

These applications are either free, or they come with a free trial period. Some of these applications are cloud-based, and ideal for collaboration.

Many of them are also cross-platform applications that can be used on a Mac or PC. Xmind, Mindomo, and FreeMind have Linux versions. You will also find iOS and Android versions of some of these apps. Visit each website link for more information.

• Xmind  (free)
• FreePlane  (free)
• FreeMind  (free)
• Mind Manager
• MindMeister
• Coggle  (cloud)
• Bubbl  (cloud)

Recommended Books

• Drawing Tips for Mind Mapping by Paul Foreman
• How I Drew My Mind Maps by Paul Foreman
• The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain’s Untapped Potential by Tony Buzan & Barry Buzan
• Mapping Inner Space: Learning & Teaching Visual Mapping by Nancy Marqulies & Nusa Maal
• Idea Mapping: How to Access Your Hidden Brain Power, Learn Faster, Remember More, and Achieve Success in Business by Jamie Nast
• Mindmapping: Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity & Problem-Solving by Joyce Wycoff
• Mind Maps at Work: How to Be the Best at Your Job & Still Have Time to Play by Tony Buzan
• Visual Thinking: Tools for Mapping Your Ideas by Nancy Marqulies & Christine Valenza
• Thinking Visually: Business Applications of 14 Core Diagrams by Malcolm Craig

About The Author

Adam Sicinski

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What Is Mind Mapping? (And How To Use It For Studying)

Mind mapping is a way of representing information and relationships visually. Information is presented in the form of a “mind map,” a type of spider diagram. The information is organized radially around a core concept.

Mind mapping has been proven useful for memorization and learning, especially for students.

In this brief article, we will explore why and when you should deploy mind mapping as a learning tool. We will teach you how it can be a better way to retain and recall information. 

Lastly, we will show you how to build a mind map.

Why should you use mind mapping? 

Mind mapping is not just a memory tool; it can also be helpful in other applications such as creative thinking and brainstorming. 

We’ll explore some ways mind mapping can help you improve creative productivity.

Boosts creative thinking

Mind maps are exceptional at helping you visualize information in spatial orientation. Visualization of this sort can make it easier to process information to draw inspiration and ideas from something.

The spatial arrangement of information is much more familiar to your brain. Our natural thought process is fairly comparable to a mind map.

Studies have demonstrated that mind mapping software can improve students’ ability to generate and visualize ideas . It can also encourage creative thinking and speed along the process of idea generation.

Other studies have shown that children rely on visualization as the link to a concept before they learn a language. Once they are taught to write linearly, this creative flexibility diminishes. Visual learning using pictures in a mind map can help keep that creativity polished.

Enhances memory

Mind maps improve memory retention and recall allowing you to remember things quickly and for longer. 

A study in 2002 found it to be a better way of retaining factual information in the long term, especially for written material. In medical students, mind mapping improved long-term memory by 10 percent .

Glass and Holyoak found that the “chunking” of information allows for more efficient use of storage space. Our short-term memory can only store seven objects at a time on average. But we can store 7 “chunks” of information, with multiple objects in each chunk.

Improves teaching and learning

The association between keywords, phrases, and images helps students structure their essays better. 

Moreover, it can be an excellent tool for revising already memorized information. Mind mapping helps in memory formation and retention in the classroom as well . 

Research shows that it can make learning fun for students due to the creative freedom that comes with using your imagination in forming a mind map!

Planning and organization

Making a mind map of your assignment or project is an easy way to put your thoughts in order. 

According to a study, once mind maps were drawn, students exhibited better coherence and structuring . This eventually added to a better quality of work.

Better problem solving

Mind mapping can lead to better critical thinking and decision-making . Not having to stay limited to a rigid structure can allow you to integrate new data into your mind map.

Mueller et al . (2002) studied the use of mind maps in Front Range Community College to plan patient care. He observed improved thinking skills and a better planning strategy by placing the patient at the center of the mind map. 

How can mind mapping help you study?

It helps improve word association, analytical and critical thinking, and problem-solving skills . 

The benefits can be better observed by comparing it with traditional note-taking.

Mind mapping vs. traditional note-taking

Linear note-taking is simple, systematic, and relatively easy to do. On the other hand, mind mapping is more creative with the information in a “cloud” around one core concept. 

This representation allows for better performance in areas where memory is concerned.

On top of that, the layout of mind maps has been shown to: 

• boost creativity
• improve student enthusiasm 
• and help along the thinking process.

How to build a mind map (5 steps + useful tips)

If you are looking to build a mind map, we have compiled a list of basic instructions.

1. Establish a core idea

Establish a single core idea around which your mind map will revolve. Choose different colors for different types of keywords and phrases on your mind map.

2. Branch out from the core idea

Once you have put down your core idea, branch out to themes. Go from themes that are the most relevant to the least relevant. 

You can keep on branching out for as long as you want to, especially if you’re creating your mind map digitally.

It becomes easier along the way to add and incorporate more elements into your idea. This also helps you draw inspiration from different sources.  

3. Add keywords

Try to use keywords instead of phrases. Keywords are less specific than phrases and they will allow you to look at your ideas from different perspectives.

It’s also a great way to remember information if you are creating a mind map for the sake of note-taking.

4. Color code your mind map

Color coding is an easy way to better classify and organize your mind map. When you use different colors for different themes, the visual association can help you find what you’re looking for rather efficiently.

5. Use images

You can also use images to create a strong visual association between ideas. This is useful when creating a mind map to remember information better. You can also use images to declutter and organize your mind map.

Tips for creating the perfect mind map

Now that you know how to create your mind map, here are some tips that will be useful in making your mind map even better!

Mind maps are handy tools, but they are not always necessary. Make sure that a mind map is well suited to your needs – sometimes, you may benefit more from linear note-taking.

Moreover, a simple mind map will be easy enough to draw on paper. But if you think your mind map will be intricate and complex, it is easier to use an online mind mapping tool (it’s greener too!).

Lastly, if you’re using mind mapping for creative purposes, do not rush the process. Take ample time to explore each new aspect.

Mind mapping is a valuable tool for note-taking and the creative process. If employed appropriately, it can do wonders for learning and memory and help speed along with brainstorming. 

It helps get the creative juices flowing while doing wonders for your productivity.

If you are looking to employ mind mapping to improve learning and knowledge retention, check out Iris Reading’s personal productivity course ! 

This speed reading tool will help further boost your creativity.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s start working on a mind map right now!

Mazlida Bt A Majid

good learning techniques .

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The 12 Best Ways to Use Mind Maps as a Student

Find out how you can use the mind mapping method as a student for better learning and productivity.

The use of mind maps is not limited to business executives and writers. Don’t be surprised when we tell you that even students can use mind maps to improvise their learning. Whether you want to learn a new language or make a stunning presentation, you can always take help from a mind map as a student.

In this article, we'll show you how to use mind mapping as a student for efficient learning.

1. Managing Time

Time management is an essential life skill better practiced from an earlier stage of life. You should focus on learning to manage time from student life. Using the mind map, you can schedule a time for each task and start becoming punctual.

Divide your total time into major segments for studying, sleep, self-care, and entertainment. Decide how much time you want to spend on each of these tasks and follow it accordingly. You can also create separate time management mind maps for weekdays and weekends.

2. Learning a Language

Learning a new language can be difficult as a student has to go through various theoretical and practical applications. A mind map may work as a learning partner if you can use it correctly.

Related: How to Learn a New Language While Browsing the Internet Using Toucan

Use it to summarize the crucial grammatical rules of the language that you need to learn first. With each rule, you can add some examples that are easy to remember. You can also use it to learn spelling and pronunciation rules.

3. Planning Semester Courses

Too many courses in a semester taking a toll on you? You can use the mind map to coherently categorize all the courses, chapters, and topics. It’s also possible to keep track of the number of lectures for each course. You can use it to organize your class lectures.

Mind mapping is also useful to manage reading materials and assignments in one place. You can always use colors to mark completed lessons and assignments.

4. Taking Notes During Lectures

If your handwriting is slow, you may miss out on some points during note-taking. You may also find it hard to organize all the notes on a topic. In these cases, you can also take the help of a mind map to write down all the major points.

Sort the data cohesively around the focal point. When you create a mind map of a lecture, it’ll also be easy to decode the notes for a friend.

5. Understanding Difficult Articles

You may find it challenging to grasp complex theories, understand scholarly articles, or interpret an old poem. In all cases, a mind map can be your guide.

In a mind map, you can add themes discussed in each chapter of a novel. As you follow a consequence there, you can easily understand where the discussion is going. Here, mapping difficult words with their meanings makes future reading effortless.

6. Memorize Complex Theories

Do you often have a hard time remembering complex theories? Well, you’re not the only one having this issue. While reading about a concept, divide it into bite-size points and organize the ideas into topics and subtopics before putting them in a mind map.

You can also connect certain topics or theories with something relatable with mind mapping. Once you establish the connection properly, you’ll be able to understand and remember them.

7. Making Presentations

Presentations are an essential part of student life. You’ll also find mind mapping useful for creating presentations. Whether you want to create compelling presentations on a chapter or a book, you can always use a mind map.

Use it to select the major points and find out the themes you want to discuss in your presentation. You can also decide the slides first and then select the topics you want to cover on each of them.

8. Brainstorming for Essays or Assignments

Brainstorming helps you gather ideas for an assignment. Instead of using a separate brainstorming tool, you can use the mind mapping method, which has the same effect. To write an assignment without hassle, collect all the arguments for and against a topic.

Related: The Best Brainstorming Techniques for Exploring Productive Ideas

Besides, mind mapping also lets you gather quotations and references from various sources. You can always map resources from which you’ve added those quotations and add them as your reference in the assignment.

9. Assessment Preparation

The night before the exam doesn’t have to be a horrific experience for you. Prepare a separate mind map for every course, where you’ll have everything organized in one place. It’ll help you during the exam preparation phase.

In the mind map, you may also include crucial information about the course such as exam date, duration, total marks, and question pattern. Make sure the mind map lists the key lectures and other resources. You can also use it to mark the revised chapters as you progress.

10. Dividing Tasks for Group Projects

Most group projects or assignments end up being one-man’s work. If you don’t want this to happen to your group, use a mind map to divide the tasks among the teammates.

Before proceeding with the task allocation, you may also want to create a mind map about the strengths and weaknesses of every group member. For instance, if someone is good at presenting slideshows, assign them to that task.

11. Preparing Lab Reports

Research is another aspect where you can use the mind mapping method. While creating a lab report, mind mapping helps you by offering a visual representation of the concepts. It also promotes cognitive learning and quick data visualization.

By using this method, you can map the diseases caused by the deficiency of water-soluble vitamins.

12. Planning Extracurricular Activities

Besides studies, extracurricular activity is the area where you’ll find the mind map to be beneficial. Map everything you need to do that activity.

It can also help you find out the extracurricular activities you like. As an example, to publish a wall magazine, map the things you need to do and then start working on them.

Use Mind Mapping for Quick Learning

Incorporating mind maps in various aspects of learning will make life easier for a student. Here, you can go through some of the best ways to use a mind map in student life.

You can also use a mind map to become more productive in your everyday life.

Understand What is Mind Mapping and Its Many Uses

What is mind mapping what are its uses.

Mind mapping is a powerful technique to help you visually develop and organize ideas and information. Let’s take a look at what mind mapping is and how you can use it.

What is Mind Mapping?

Mind maps provide a structured way to capture and organize ideas and information . They help users to understand concepts by breaking them down into their component parts . The technique is used to develop new ideas, or to break down and better understand existing information. 

Whether developing new ideas or organizing existing information , mind maps help you see how information fits together. Mind maps provide an expansive and flexible structure to support your thinking.

Key Characteristics of Mind Maps

Single central topic.

Unlike other visual diagrams, a mind map is built around a single central topic . All the information on your map is “anchored” to the same start point. By placing the main idea at the center, it’s easier for others to understand the core focus of the mind map.

Expansive Tree Structure

Tree-like branches make up a mind map. They can expand and grow as you develop your ideas. Each branch shows information organized as topics and subtopics, based on categorizations and connections identified by the map creator. The result is a structured hierarchy of information at all levels of the mind map. 

Keyword Focused

Keywords , rather than long sentences or blocks of text, make up a mind map. Topics on a map branch often include one or two words that best represent an idea or piece of information. This makes it easier for readers to scan the information presented without having to read an excessive amount of text.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Using images, doodles, or colors can act as a memory trigger or convey more meaning than simple keywords alone. Try adding an image to your next mind map.

How does mind mapping help?

Whether you’re mapping by hand or using a mind mapping software tool, there are three key ways mind mapping helps develop and organize ideas and information:

Simplification

Mind maps help to simplify any information on a page because they are composed of keywords (rather than long sentences). Distilling knowledge into keywords and short triggers creates a structured visual summary that is easier and faster to process.

Categorization

A mind map structure helps you to categorize and sub-categorize information in a way that makes it easier to understand and navigate. Categorization helps our brains to make sense of complexity. And mind maps provide a hierarchical category structure that helps us navigate information more easily. It’s like moving around the aisles in a supermarket to find the particular product we need. 

Contextualization

The tree-structure of a mind map means that every piece of information connects to at least one other piece of information. Connections include a higher level (parent) topic, and potentially the same level (siblings) topics, or lower-level (child) topics.

Every item has context because of what it is attached to, and what connects to it. With mind maps, the information doesn’t exist in isolation. You can see how ideas and information relate to each other more clearly. 

Who uses mind mapping?

Mind mapping is used by people in business , education , government, the charity sector, and at home. 

In business , people use mind mapping for project planning , strategic thinking, and managing meetings. Mind mapping software helps teams to develop their ideas more collaboratively . Online mapping allows people to build off each other’s ideas and develop a shared understanding of a situation. It can also break down complex projects into more manageable parts. 

In education , students of all ages use mind maps for note taking, summarizing subject information , and planning written assignments. Educators are using mind maps for lesson planning, innovative homework assignments, and group exercises in the classroom.  

Outside of these fields, many individuals use mind maps to help with their organization and future planning. People often use mind maps to plan their weeks, their goals, and their careers.

What is mind mapping software?

S ome people prefer to mind map by hand using pen and paper, flipcharts, whiteboards, etc. O thers prefer to map using computer software or apps on mobile devices . These applications provide powerful benefits when mind mapping, as they overcome the physical limitations of pen and paper .

Additionally, o nline mapping enables you to build mind maps that can connect with other information sources such as documents or websites. This can allow you t o develop your mind map on an ongoing basis.

There is mind mapping software that requires installation and can be used without an internet connection. Other software is based entirely online , so you can access and work on your maps from any device with an internet connection. Some online mind mapping tools have the added benefit of enabling real time collaboration with other people in the same mind map.

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Mind maps are a visual way of taking notes, brainstorming ideas or planning. They can help you organise and connect information and ideas. They are also easy to remember and quick to review.

Mind maps are a quick way to:

• show what you already know about a topic and where you may need to find more information
• summarise information from a range of sources
• find and see links between concepts and ideas
• think through complex problems
• show the overall structure of a subject.

Tip: Mind maps are also useful to help you plan research or revise for an assessment or exam.

How to mind map

You can make a mind map on paper, whiteboard, or use an online tool (there are a few available that let you create some for free such as Mindmeister ,  Miro  or  Lucidchart ). Or you could type a list on a word document. 

• Start by putting your main topic in the middle of the page (if you are drawing or using a mind mapping tool) or the top of the page (if you are typing).
• Add all the key words, concepts and ideas you can think of about the topic.
• Don’t try and organise the information, just get your ideas out.  

My Information Skills

Introduction to mind mapping.

• Organise your time
• Record your sources
• The assignment
• Analyse the topic: instruction words
• Analyse the topic: important words
• Analyse the topic: finding more keywords
• Create a mind map
• Identify search tools
• Cyber safety
• Develop a search strategy
• AND, OR, NOT
• Search the library catalogue
• Finding items on the shelves
• Place reservations
• Search for e-books
• Search for streaming videos
• Other library catalogues
• What is an online database?
• Databases vs. the Internet
• Logging into databases
• Searching databases
• Searching the Internet
• Evaluate a print resource
• Peer-reviewed journals
• Journal vs. magazine
• Evaluate a website
• Choose a suitable format
• Your audience
• Improve your writing
• Cover sheets
• Oral presentations
• Why do you need to reference?
• Quoting, paraphrasing, summarising and generalising
• Personal knowledge and common knowledge
• Finding bibliographic data
• Referencing styles
• Harvard in-text citations
• Harvard end-text citations
• Examples - books with one author
• Examples - books with multiple authors
• Examples - journal and magazine articles
• Examples - newspaper articles
• Examples - online database articles
• Examples - online documents
• Examples - online images, graphs and tables
• Examples - websites
• Examples - works of art
• Reference lists
• Abbreviations used in citations
• Referencing tools

A mind map can help you decide which aspects are more important than others and help direct your research. It can also give you a plan for your whole assignment, in an easy to understand diagram. Mind maps are useful for:

• brainstorming - individually, and as a group
• summarising information, and note taking
• consolidating information from different research sources
• thinking through complex problems
• presenting information in a format that shows the overall structure of your subject
• studying and memorising information.  

Mind mapping is also called  concept mapping  and  cognitive mapping .

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• Last Updated: Jan 29, 2024 10:01 AM
• URL: https://tafesa.libguides.com/myinfoskills