Create a mind map to organize your thoughts, generate new ideas, and improve creativity. This guide will show you how to create an incredible mind map that fulfills all your needs.
2 minute read
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1. Begin with the main concept
First determine the main purpose of your mind map and write it down. Since mind maps start from the inside and expand outward, your central idea will become the core topic of the diagram. Your main concept could be:
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A problem you’re trying to work through
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The project you’re brainstorming
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A difficult concept that you’re trying to learn
Let’s say you have to write an essay on Benjamin Franklin. In this case, Benjamin Franklin would be the main concept since he is the focus of the essay.
2. Add branches to the main concept
Now that you have determined the main purpose of your mind map, add branches that will outline the most basic subtopics. The branches should help you to begin organizing the information. Don’t worry about including a lot of details, keywords and short phrases will be more than enough.
In the case of our essay on Benjamin Franklin, the main subtopics that you should chart out are the main branches that explain his life. More detail into these initial branches will be included as we continue to add branches.
Diagramming is quick and easy with Lucidchart. Start a free trial today to start creating and collaborating.
Make a mind map3. Explore topics by adding more branches
Once you have identifying the main subjects within your topic, add more shapes until you run out of valuable information. Make sure that you continue to organize your information with the most important things closer to the main concept shape, and the more specific details further away.
4. Add images and colors
Maintain organization within your mind map by using standard colors for the different levels of thoughts within your diagram. If you are using Lucidchart, the colors will be managed for you. Furthermore, using images will help you to both visualize, and memorize the various parts of your mind map. Images can also be used to link shapes instead of the traditional box shape.
In our example with Benjamin Franklin, we have added more branches until we were ready to write the essay. If we were studying for an exam instead of writing an essay, the icons used could be especially helpful to boost memorization.
Create a mind map in Lucidchart
Lucidchart makes it easy to create and style beautiful mind maps, right in your web browser. To easily create a mind map in your browser, first you will need to sign up for Lucidchart and use our mind map maker to quickly create a mind map. You can also use one of our mind map templates to easily get started.