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Study Toolbox: Mind Mapping

This toolbox includes lots of tips, tricks and information on different aspects of study from taking notes in class to preparing for exams.

Mind maps are a visual form of note taking.  By focusing on key ideas and looking for links between them, you can ‘map’ knowledge that will help you better understand, organise and retain information.  Mind maps are great for revision, planning essays and organising assignments.

What does a mind map look like?

A mind map has a central image/topic with branches radiating out from it.  Each branch represents a key idea, concept or piece of information.  Details are then added to the main branches in the form of sub-branches.

Mind map credited to Jane Genovese & Sharon Genovese.

Genovese, J., & Genovese, S. (n.d.). Health [Mind Map]. Mind Map Art. http://www.mindmapart.com/health-mind-map-jane-genovese/

How to create a mind map...

Position your paper landscape to provide space for your mind map to grow.  Write and/or draw a picture of the central topic in the centre of the page.  For example:

 

Add main branches that connect to the central topic.  These main branches represent the key ideas/concepts that stem from the central topic.  In this mind map example, the central topic is heathy living and the main branches are sleep, stress, exercise, help and diet.

Next, add more detail to your mind map by adding sub-branches.  These sub-branches expand the key ideas and provide more information.  In this example, the main branch is help and the sub-branches are doctor, dietician and Nutrition Australia.

You may need to add even smaller branches to your sub-branches to expand ideas further.  In this example, the main branch is stress, one of the sub-branches is causes and it has smaller branches listing the causes as exams, work and relationships.

If any ideas from different branches link together, connect them with a line or arrow.

  • Use colour to categorise ideas and information.
  • Use keywords, do not write whole sentences.
  • Vary the size of the words by level of importance.
  • Add images to your mind map as these help you recall information and provide links to concepts.

Why use a mind map?

  • You can brainstorm ideas for an assignment.
  • Being visual makes it easier to revise and remember information.
  • Provides an overview of a topic.
  • Summarises information.
  • Organises information.
  • Helps you decide what information and sources you will include in your assignment and their order in the assignment.
  • Combines information from different sources.
  • Helps you think through a complex topic.

What makes a good mind map?

The more visual the map the more effective it is.  Use colour, images, symbols and arrows to show the connections between the ideas/information.

Turning your mind map into an essay

Once your mind map has been created you can use it as a plan for an essay.  The main topic for your essay is the idea in the centre of the mind map.  The main branches of the mind map are the key points you use to present a strong argument or analysis of the main topic.  Each paragraph should contain one key point, so one branch equals one paragraph in your essay.  The sub-branches are the information you use to expand and explain each key point.