AN INTRODUCTTION
Mind Mapping
Mind Maps are tools which enable you to structure your ideas visually
for understanding, elaborating and remembering easily. It is a diagram
or a layout that enables you to build a detailed free flowing framework
around a CENTRAL IDEA.
There are multiple ways of making mind maps. They are aligned to
your brain’s natural way of doing things.
It does not require you to think in order. You should put down your
thoughts as they come and they can be rearranged as and when
needed.
Examples will help you to understand better
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How to Start?
Let’s take the Central Theme:
Sources States Uses
Water
Ocean
Drinking
Sub Themes: Sources of water, Uses, Lakes
States, Composition, etc. etc. Water Agriculture
River
Sources: Ocean, Lakes, Rivers, Rain
Cooking,
States: Liquid, Ice, Water Vapour Rain Washing
Break up the Central Theme into Composition
smaller Sub-Themes, then break
each Sub-Theme into yet smaller
parts.
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Example: Mind Map of Water
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The Five Essential Characteristics of Mind Mapping
1. The main idea, subject or focus
is crystallized in a central image
2. The sub-themes radiate from the
central image as 'branches'
3. The branches comprise a key
image or key word drawn or
printed on its associated line
4. Topics under the sub-themes are
represented as 'twigs' of the
relevant branch
5. The branches and twigs form a
connected nodal structure
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How to Make a Mind Map
Think of your general main theme and write that down in the centre of
the page. e.g. Food or Types of Food
Figure out sub-themes of your main concept and draw branches to them
from the centre, beginning to look like a spider web. e.g. Meats, Dairy,
Breads, Vegetable, Cereals, etc.
Make sure to use very short phrases or even single words.
Add images to invoke thought or get the message across better.
Try to think of at least two main points for each sub-theme you created
and create branches out to those.
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Mind Map for Types of Food
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Exercise: Planning a Birthday
BIRTHDAY is our Main Theme
Whose birthday? ....It’s my Birthday! ...When?
Throw a Party? ..Of Course! ....Who to invite? ...Food? ...Decoration?
Gifts? ....For myself? ...For Others?
Location? ....Home? ....Elsewhere?
Activities? ....Games? ...Boating? ...Theatre?
Any special Theme?
Lets move to the next slide to see how a Mind Map for BIRTHDAY can
look like
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Mind Map for Birthday Planning
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Benefits of Mind Mapping
Helps to attain clarity of thought
Allows creativity
Enhances productivity, better time/resource management
Helps to break down larger tasks or concepts into smaller portions
Gives an overview at one glance
Better flexibility than note making
Ensures entire information is captured
Is easier to read and understand
Enables meaningful learning by connecting to previous knowledge
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Example: Parts of Speech
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Example: Plan For This Week
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Example: Weekly Tasks (More Detailed)
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Example: Planning a Presentation
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Example: Get and Remain Motivated
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Example: Your Ideal Future
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