A mind map is a diagram to help you to study and a tool to help you to learn, this is a visual way to show your understanding of a topic. It is also a tool to help you think, sort and arrange information.

A mind map is a way to help you to:

• make notes, summarise and present information
• remember facts: it is a useful mnemonic (aide-memoire; memory aid, reminder, prompt)
• understand the topic
• see the whole topic clearly
• revise the information
• think about and solve problems in a creative way
• organize, categorize and sort information
• learn more easily and faster, while you also have fun with your creation!

Mind Map

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More Tips!

• use words or pictures or both
• use colors and different kinds of pens to make your mind map fun and easy to read
• use different colors for different headings and ideas
• use thin and thick lines, short and long lines

Be creative with your mind map

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How to make a mind map

• in the middle of a blank page, write the topic or a word that states the main idea, in large capital letters in the middle of the page. Make a circle or a box around this topic - be creative!
• write the headings and subheadings in your textbook around the middlebox or circle. Leave some space to allow you to add words
• try to group similar headings and ideas near each other or together
• draw lines from the middlebox or circle to the headings you have written down
• make a drawing, picture or symbol to show your understanding of each heading. Pictures can help you to remember information. If you can't draw, look for pictures in magazine and remember 'google is your friend'
• draw more lines to show links and to show how one part of the topic connects with the other
• if you don't see any connections, leave some topics without any links. Go back later and add a link, a line or an arrow
• add facts and ideas, using only keywords. Use single words or short half-sentences. Do not use unnecessary words such as and, the, is, are.
• your mind map should give you a summary that you can see in one look
• with your finger follow the links you have made
• add more lines and words as you learn more about the topic
• your mind map may have sub-topic lines, going in all directions from the center. Sub-topics and facts will branch off from the main ideas and lines. This may look almost like the branches and twigs of a tree trunk, or a spider's web!

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Advantages and Disadvantages

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