How to make a Mind Map

How to

Why?

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

2. Turn the paper landscape i. e., the long

side of the paper at the top

It is easier to look at the Mind Map when it is

in this position and you can fit more onto the
page.

3. Start by drawing a coloured image in the

centre of the paper. This central image
represents the topic of the Mind Map.
The image should be 3-5 cm high and
the same width.
Use at least 3 colours in the image
Do not put a frame around it. Allow it
to have its own unique and natural
shape

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.

Allows plenty of space for the rest of

the map

Colour stimulates right-brain

creativity and captures attention

A frame makes the centre a

monotony shape and a free image is
more memorable

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
PRINT the word
Place the word on a line of the same
length
Make the central lines think, curved
and organic (like the branch of a tree
attached to the trunk)
Connected directly to the central
image

It is easier to look at the Mind Map when it is

in this position and you can fit more onto the
page

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

Too much line after the word

disconnects the thoughts

Curved lines give visual rhythm and

so are easier to remember. Thick
central lines show importance

The brain works by association so

by connecting the main branch to the
central image, the brain links the two
together

5. Add other main theme branches around

the map

So all your main 'chapter headings' are

included and so that the main themes stand
out clearly

6. Start to add a second level of thought.

These words and/or images are linked to
the main branch that triggered them.
Remember:

Connecting lines are now thinner

Words may be in lower case

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

Connecting lines gives the map a

recognisable shape and structure.
They also demonstrate the level of
importance, as from a branch to a twig

The size and style of the words

provide additional data about their
importance and meaning

7. Add a third or fourth level of thought as

those thoughts come to you

To capture all ideas and thoughts that pop

into your head

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:
pictures
line drawings
patterns
shapes
symbols
stick figures etc.

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.

9. Add dimension to your Mind Map by

adding boxes and adding depth around
the words and images

To make important key words and images

stand out

10. Use colours throughout the Mind Map. be

as big, bold and imaginative as possible

Your eye/brain will be attracted to the map

and it will be easier to remember