Mind maps

The traditional way of taking notes, whether for a lecture or when reading a
book, is to follow the chronological sequence of the author's thought,
and to summarize the content of the book or lecture, often using
sentences and phrases instead of just keywords.

An alternative approach, and one which some claim works with both halves of the brain by harnessing
its powers of visualization and association, and thereby improves both memory and creative thinking,
is mind mapping.

Definition

Mind mapping is a way of linking key concepts using images, lines and links. A central concept is
linked via lines to other concepts which in turn are linked with other associated ideas. It is similar as a
technique to concept mapping and spider diagrams, the difference being that true mind mapping
involves constructing a hierarchy of ideas instead of pure random association.

Mind mapping uses the concept of "radiant thinking" – that is, thoughts radiate out from a single idea,
often expressed as an image. Branches flow backwards and forwards from and to the central idea.

Origins

Mind mapping is generally linked with the popular psychologist Tony Buzan, although in fact similar
approaches have been used by Porphyry of Tyros in the 3rd century to conceptualize the ideas of
Aristotle, by Leonardo da Vinci and by Picasso, to name but a few. Tony Buzan however did much to
popularize and schematize mind maps in the 1960s and 1970s and his books, listed below , provide
an authoritative account on how to use the technique.

How to mind map

There are four key characteristics of a mind map:

1. There is one key concept, often expressed graphically as an image.

2. From the key concept/image radiate out branches each of which contains another key
concept which is a subset of the main concept.
3. Attached to these main branches are other branches which represent less important
concepts.
4. Together, the branches and central image form a nodal structure.

The steps involved in creating a mind map may be summarized as follows:

Step 1 – Determine your central image or concept.

Step 2 – Create the basic structure for organizing your ideas: these are the main branches and are
known as the Basic Organizing Ideas (BOIs), and are represented by branches radiating outwards
from the main concept.

Step 3 – Put down keywords associated with the BOIs, which should sit on smaller branches
connected to the main branch.

Step 4 – Revisit your mind map, putting things in order, and numbering the branches. If necessary,
revise it on another piece of paper.
 Techniques

The following points should be borne in mind when creating a mind map:

• Use radiant thinking – start from the centre and radiate outwards.
• Use hierarchy and association – your main BOIs are embodied in thick lines radiating from the
centre; the ideas radiating from the individual BOIs have thinner lines. (If you think there are
likely to be more BOIs and ideas than you can think of, leave blank lines for future reference.)
• Use as images and colour – they will stimulate your brain's visual and creative capacity and
help you have fun along the way!
• Use keywords, rather than phrases – easier to remember.
• Use symbols (e.g. x for not) and codes. You can also annotate your mind map, for example
you could write references to other sources in a different colour pen.
• Be clear: have words the same length as lines (a better use of space), and use capitals, which
are easier to read and which emphasize keywords.
• Use arrows to denote links between ideas.
• Draw quickly and uncritically on a sheet of A4 or larger paper (perhaps two A4 sheets put
together, which also has the advantage that it will be readily distinguishable from other single
folios on your desk!), placed landscape.
• Review your mind map after you have completed your first attempt, not immediately, but once
your thoughts have had time to "settle".

Users are recommended to adopt a personal style and to have fun creating their mind maps, and
deliberately attempt to make them as beautiful as possible. In fact, mind maps can often become mini
works of art as in the following example:

© Jonathan Goldstein

If you invest in some good quality pens, as well as some coloured ones, you will find you take a
greater pride in what you produce, and this will increase the "fun" element.

Benefits of mind maps

 The benefits of mind mapping as a technique is that it enable the user to enlist the full power of the
brain, both the right side, which is employed for spatial awareness, a sense of wholeness (Gestalt),
imagination, day dreaming, and colour, and the left, which is the more analytical, logical side.

Mind maps draw on the brain's ability to store an infinite number of associations and this, together with
their visual qualities (space, image, colour etc.) help them stimulate the memory to store more facts.

Physically they also take up less space than chronologically based notes and are less time-consuming
to produce.

Uses of mind maps

Mind maps can be used in a wide range of situations, from brainstorming, sorting out family problems,
business meetings, making notes from books or lectures, to planning a series of television
programmes. Most useful to you in your student career, however, will be:

• Making notes from books and other secondary sources.

• Making notes from lectures.
• Making notes for essays or presentations.

Making notes from books and other secondary sources

As a student you will need to browse a large number of secondary sources – textbooks, journal
articles, websites. Sometime, the amount of material can seem daunting. The benefits of mind maps,
however, is that rather than working through the material from beginning to end in a chronological
sequence, you proceed in a more "spiral" fashion from firstly having an overview to looking in greater
and greater depth.

Before you begin to study, organize the task by:

• Browsing the document, getting an idea of how it is organized, what are its basic organizing
ideas etc.
• Determining the amount of time you have to study it.
• Determining your goals – for example, are you reading it as background to your course, or do
you want to concentrate on a particular topic, for example for an essay question?
• What is your existing knowledge – on a separate sheet, mind map this which will give your
mind "grappling hooks" as it seeks to assimilate new information.

You are then ready to do the mind map of the document, for which you go through the following
(spiral) stages:

1. Overview – look at the chapter summaries, chapter and other main headings. Note that most
text books these days have a very explicit structure with objectives at the beginning of each
chapter, as well as chapter summaries. This way, you are searching for the gist of the author's
argument before looking at the detail.
2. Preview – go a stage beyond the book's "organizing bits" and look at the beginning and end
of chapters and sections.
3. Inview – look at the rest of the material, but if there is something that you find very difficult,
leave it and return to it.
4. Review – finish your mind map notes, going back over anything you found difficult.

Note that the above assumes that you are reading a book; journal articles and websites also have their
own organizational structure, for example pages or headings. The same principles will apply.
 Making notes from lectures

Lectures lend themselves less easily to the mind mapping technique because their structure is
inherently linear. However, you should be able to get a good idea of the "basic organizing ideas" from
the scheme of work for the course, or from the notes which the lecturer gives out at the beginning of
the lecture. Try and search for the BOIs as the lecture progresses.

Note: if your mind map seems confused, then this may be because the lecture, book or website is
confused!

© Graham Burnett

Making notes for essays or presentations

The basic difference here is in the preposition: you are making notes for something rather than from
something, so you will need to draw together your existing mind map notes and prepare a new mind
map covering what you are going to write or present.

• Start with the central idea or image.

• List the main BOIs.
• Brainstorm as many ideas as possible, and set them down as keywords on the main
branches. For a presentation, the keywords will represent themes which you will talk about.
• Edit your mind map, numbering the branches in the order you want to write about or present
the topics.
• Do individual mind maps of particular sections.
• Do a first draft, revising your mind map as necessary, and doing a new mind map for difficult
parts of the draft or when you get writer's block.
• For a presentation, insert symbols where you want to introduce visuals.
The following diagram shows a mind map of a profit and loss statement, with some branches left
blank. Can you complete it?

Some useful resources

Books

• Tony and Barry Buzan, The Mind Map Book, BBC Worldwide, 1993.
• Tony Buzan, Use Your Head, BBC Worldwide, 2000.
 Mind Map to Improve Examination Review

A Practical Study Skill for Exam Preparation, Review and Revision

Jul 29, 2009 Dawn Brewer

Examination Review - sanja gjenero Mind Maps can improve exam preparation and results, as they
complement the way the brain works and aid memory. Crucially, Mind Maps also help recall in an
examination.

Mind Maps incorporate images, words and color to aid memory, improving review for exams. They
also complement the way the brain works making use of both logic and creativity. Knowing how to
create Mind Maps is a helpful study skill for anyone facing revision and preparation for an examination.

What is a Mind Map

According to Tony Buzan “A Mind Map is the ultimate organizational thinking tool.”

Mind Maps can be extremely useful when preparing for exams as there is a lot of information to be
organised during revision and then recalled during the examination.

A Mind Map is a drawing with all the information organised in the way best suited to the individual –
there is never one correct mind map. There are many sample Mind Maps available online, for example
a Mind Map showing exam tips.

How to Create a Mind Map for Revision

Start in the middle of the paper (as usual) with the course name and create branches for each of the
main topics studied. These may be the major blocks covered or the major course themes or the main
curriculum areas.

Review the course notes for each of these main topics and add the major themes to the map, as well
as any personal insights, ideas or reflection that emerge whilst creating the map. Use colours and
different pens to make the map memorable and interesting. Add important details such as names,
dates and formulas too, making these less prominent than the main ideas of the course.

It is likely that more than one piece of paper will be needed. To start a new map, take one of the ideas
from the Mind Map, copy it into the center of the new Mind Map and start mapping again.

For example, a course with three major topics might have a main map with the course title, a branch
for each of the three topics and further branches about the whole subject area. Each major topic might
then have a whole new map.

Make connections between the different areas of the map too (for example, using a dotted line, or a
highlighter pen).
 Using a Mind Map to Help Recall in an Examination

Preparing the map helps with study as it forces a review of the course material and reinforces
recollection by writing it down or drawing it on a map.

Keeping maps where they can be seen and reviewing them often will help memorize the mind maps.
Redrawing the maps (in the same format as before) also helps with revision. Eventually, maps can be
redrawn from memory.

For example, by leaving the maps stuck on a wall and regularly studying them, it will become possible
to imagine the wall – including the detail of each map. The maps can then be recreated from memory.
During an examination, picturing the wall and the maps will help with recall of the information. Maps
can also be recreated during the examination (on spare paper) to aid memory.

Mind Maps on Computer

It is also possible to use Mind Mapping Software which allows Mind Maps to be created and stored on
computer. This is particularly useful for revision, as the maps can then be easily amended and printed.

Mastering the use of Mind Maps can be an important study skill as they can be used to improve
review, revision and preparation for examinations.

References: Quotation from How To Mind Map by Tony Buzan. Thorsons, 2002.

Copyright Dawn Brewer. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

Read more at Suite101: Mind Map to Improve Examination Review: A Practical Study Skill for Exam
Preparation, Review and Revision http://www.suite101.com/content/improve-revision-for-examinations-
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PE Full and Short Course Mind Maps

Important! - Don't just read the Mind Maps - you have to do something with them if
you want to learn!

• Try covering words and seeing if you remember them 10 minutes later
• Redraw the Mind Map in a different form
• Redraw the Mind Map but use only the first letter - 10 minutes later add the
full words

The 10 minute GAP really does make the difference!