How to Create a Mind Map to Help Comprehension

Mind mapping, also known as "webbing," is a useful technique that helps people organize their thoughts on paper. This practice is commonly used to help understand and structure the various parts of a story or lesson. By mapping the elements on paper, you can better comprehend what you have been learning. This technique also helps to improve memory by restructuring your thoughts into an organized pattern. Creating a mind map can be very useful in improving comprehension of a subject.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen

Instructions

1. Write the topic in the center of a blank sheet of paper. Draw a circle around this starting point. You may want to write this original point in a larger text than you will use for the rest of the mind map.

2. Draw lines extending outward from the center circle and write subheadings, categories or topics related to the main topic on each of these lines.

3. Draw further lines extending from these topics for additional details and points related to each.

4. Continue to draw branching lines from each subsequent point on the mind map, working outward as you explore the topic at hand. The map can be as large as you need it to be to thoroughly explore the topic.

5. Start a new mind map if you run out of room. Begin again with one of the subsequent topic points as the new center point, and keep branching out from there.

References

• Mind Tools: Mind Maps
• NovaMind: Mind Mapping
• The Library Lady: Mind Mapping and Visual Thought

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish