Mindmapping

Key Points for Creating Mindmaps

Mindmaps present material in a visual form concisely on one page. This makes the information easier to remember. Moreover, the process of making a mindmap is fun!

Purposes for mindmaps:

• brainstorming a topic

• planning an essay , a report, or an oral presentation

• reviewing all you know about a topic

• taking notes from readings or lectures

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Key features of mindmaps

1. The main idea is always in the centre of a blank piece of paper turned sideways (landscape orientation).

2. Branches link to sub-points , usually beginning in the top right hand corner and working clockwise around the main point.

3. The relationship between ideas is made clear through the use of colour, and size.

4. Use key words rather than sentences.

5. Use symbols and pictures to highlight meaning and create interest.

Why use mindmaps?

· Very visual

· Help memory and understanding

· Combine several senses, e.g. seeing, hearing, saying and doing

· Help you get to the core of subject and main ideas

Software for mindmapping

You might prefer to make mindmaps on your computer. There are many free mindmapping tools available on the internet. Wikipedia has a useful comparison of these tools http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept_mapping_and_mind_mapping_software