Mind MappingTony Buzan, the originator of the technique, describes Mind Mapping as a radiant, hierarchical thinking technique. By this he means that Mind Maps are built up by starting at the centre and radiating out to successive levels of detail.

Mind Mapping is a thinking technique.

It is great for note-making– exploring your own thoughts, planning, organizing, thinking creatively, making associations and gaining insights -and for note-taking – recording information in meetings, discussion,lectures etc. or summarizing books and other written material.

How Do I Mind Map:

Follow these 7 steps to create your mind map (a thinking technique and graphic organizer in one)

1. Start in the center of a blank page1. Turn the page sideways

2. Your brain has more freedom to spread out in all directions

2. Use an Image or Picture for your central idea

1. An Image is worth a thousand words

2. It stimulates your imagination

3. It is more interesting

4. It keeps you focused

5. It helps you concentrate

3. Use Colors throughout

1. Colors are exciting to the brain

2. Colors add vibrancy and life to your Mind Map

3. Colors add energy to your creative thinking

4. Connect Main Branches to the central image

1. Connect second and third level branches

2. The brain works by association

3. The brain likes to link things together

4. Linking the branches creates structure

5. Make your lines curved

1. Straight lines are boring

2. Curved branches are attractive

6. Use One Key Word per line

1. Single Key Words give your Mind Map more power and flexibility

2. Each word or image creates its own associations and connections

3. Each Key Word is able to spark off new ideas and thoughts

4. Phrases dampen this triggering effect

7. Use Images throughout

1. Each image is worth a thousand words

2. 10 images will give you 10 000 words!

Examples of Shakespeare Mind Maps: