How to Draw a Simple Map

Occasionally it comes in handy to know how to draw a simple map. Whether you're including it in party invitations or advertising a yard sale, a simple, straightforward map can assist people who wish to attend your event.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Familiarize yourself with the map's central location. Know the entrance and exit routes from every direction. This is easy to accomplish when the map is in your hometown.
2. Draw the map facing north. Most maps depict North at the top of the page. By adhering to this standard format, people reading your map will not develop confusion because of the directions. Even if attendees travel East and West, North belongs at the top of the map.
3. Keep the map as close to scale as you can. For optimum accuracy, a two-mile stretch of road must look twice as long as a one-mile section.
4. Display landmarks to assist travelers who are unfamiliar with the location. Large, easy to spot markers such as buildings, water or radio towers are often easier to follow than road signs.
5. Give street names for roads en route, and add estimates for distance. This helps people reading your map know their progression during the trip so they can plan their arrival in a timely fashion.
6. Describe the end location rather than simply giving an address. For example, "House number 415" is more difficult to spot than "the two-story green house at the end of the cul de sac."
7. Show overshot landmarks to keep drivers from wandering too far out of their way. For example, "If you reach the bridge, you've missed our house by ½ a mile." This small consideration can save a great deal of aggravation for your guests.