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How
to... |
Why? |
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1.
Take a blank piece of plain paper A4 size or bigger |
Lined
paper tends restrict the natural flow of your thoughts.
Plain paper enables you to be as creative and spontaneous as
possible |
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2. Turn the paper landscape i.e., the long side of the paper at
the top
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It
is easier to look at the Mind Map® when it is in this
position and you can fit more onto the page |
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3. Start by drawing a coloured image in the centre of the
paper. This central image represents the topic of the Mind
Map®
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to view a bigger version
© J. Cormie 2004
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The
image should be 3-5cm high and the same width. |
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Use
at least 3 colours in the image
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Do
not put a frame around it. Allow it to have its own
unique and natural shape
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A
picture is worth a 1000 words! It stimulates the brain to
think up associations, it focuses the thoughts and it
results in better recall of the Mind Map®
at a later date
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Allows
plenty of space for the rest of the map |
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Colour
stimulates right-brain creativity and captures attention |
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A
frame makes the centre a monotony shape and a free image
is more memorable |
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4. Draw the main themes of the Mind Map® on thick branches
radiating out from the central image. These are like the
chapter headings of a book
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to view a bigger version
© J. Cormie 2004
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PRINT
the word
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Place
the word on a line of the same length |
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Make
the central lines think, curved and organic (like the
branch of a tree attached to the trunk) |
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Connected
directly to the central image
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It
is easier to look at the Mind Map® when it is in this
position and you can fit more onto the page
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Printing
allows the brain to photograph the word and remember it
easily. For reading-back purposes, a printed word is
clearer, more legible and easier to remember than
ordinary handwriting |
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Too
much line after the word disconnects the thoughts |
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Curved
lines give visual rhythm and so are easier to remember.
Thick central lines show importance |
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The
brain works by association so by connecting the main
branch to the central image, the brain links the two
together |
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5.
Add other main theme branches around the map
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to view a bigger version
© J. Cormie 2004
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So
all your main 'chapter headings' are included and so that
the main themes stand out clearly |
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6.
Start to add a second level of thought. These words and/or
images are linked to the main branch that triggered
them
Remember:
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Connecting
lines are now thinner
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Words
may be in lower case |
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to view a bigger version
© J. Cormie 2004
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The
main branch words and images stimulate other thoughts and
associations. Allow the random flow of your thoughts as you
add other levels of thought
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Connecting
lines gives the map a recognisable shape and structure.
They also demonstrate the level of importance, as from a
branch to a twig |
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The
size and style of the words provide additional data
about their importance and meaning
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7.
Add a third or fourth level of thought as those thoughts
come to you
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to view a bigger version
© J. Cormie 2004
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To
capture all ideas and thoughts that pop into your head |
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8.
Use images throughout your Mind Map®. Add an image to all
the main branches to represent each key theme and also use
images to visualise every important key word on your map.
You can use:
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pictures |
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line
drawings |
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patterns |
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shapes |
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symbols |
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stick
figures etc.
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Images
activate the right-brain, attract the eye and stimulate your
memory.
If
you find it hard to draw an image at first, try making your
words more expressive: make them 3D, use bubble writing,
colour in the letters, use patterns in the letters, make the
letters into images etc. |
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9.
Add dimension to your Mind Map® by adding boxes and adding
depth around the words and images
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To
make important key words and images stand out |
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10.
Use colours throughout the Mind Map®. be as big, bold and
imaginative as possible
 Click
to view a bigger version
© J. Cormie 2004
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Your
eye/brain will be attracted to the map and it will be easier
to remember |
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To
review the 10 Mind Mapping® principles, click the image
below
Source: ©Get Ahead, V.
North
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