Using Mind Mapping to Create Research Paper Outlines
No matter what your topic, clearly outlining the themes and ideas you intend to cover is an important first step when writing a research paper. Mind Mapping is an effective way to create such an outline, because it allows the writer to creatively organize information around a central topic or idea. Mind Mapping allows the writer makes use of colors, visual images, words, and symbols to “map” out his or her thoughts on paper. This process of mapping out ideas, rather than listing them in a traditional outline format, is thought to allow the brain to process information in a manner more consistent with its natural functioning.
How To Create A Mind Map?
Mind Maps consist firstly of a main idea, which is represented by a central image, and is located in the center of the map. Next, the themes surrounding the main idea are presented by “branches”, which are attached to the central image, and on which are listed significant words or images relating to the main topic. Lastly, the topics least important to the main idea are shown on “twigs” that are attached the “branches”. 1 In putting together the Mind Map, the writer can use whatever images, words, or symbols he or she wishes in order to “map” out the themes and ideas for his or her topic.
A Traditional Outline vs. A Mind Map of a Research Topic
In a traditional outline for a research paper, the main themes of the paper are listed linearly, using a numerical format. Most often, this list begins with the introduction as the first point, ends with the conclusion as the last point, and lists all subtopics, along with supporting evidence, in the points in between. Thus, this type of outline usually looks as follows:
I.Introduction
Background
- History of Topic
- Current Research on Topic
Thesis
II.First Subtopic
Point One
- Point One Evidence
- Point One Evidence
Point Two
- Point Two Evidence
- Point Two Evidence
III.Second Subtopic
Point One
- Point One Evidence
- Point One Evidence
Point Two
- Point Two Evidence
- Point Two Evidence
IV.Third Subtopic
Point One
- Point One Evidence
- Point One Evidence
Point Two
- Point Two Evidence
- Point Two Evidence
V.Conclusion
This outline can be contrasted with a Mind Map of the same research topic, represented in the attached “Mind Map Research” diagram. In the Mind Map diagram, the Introduction, Conclusion, and Subtopic headings are presented spatially, and are spread across the page. While the traditional outline includes only text, the Mind Map incorporates not only text, but images, colors, and graphics as well. The result is a more visually stimulating diagram of the main points and ideas of the paper, making them easier to conceptualize.
Mind Mapping as a Basis for More Intuitive Research Writing
Both the traditional outline and the Mind Map can be used as basis for writing a good research paper. However, a Mind Map engages the writer’s brain in a more creative manner, and allows him or her to lay out the basis for the paper as seen in the mind’s eye. Images that come to the writer’s mind, colors associated with certain themes, and graphics exemplifying key thoughts, are all laid out in map fashion for, and by, the writer. By allowing the writer to visualize his or her topic in this manner, the Mind Map makes organizing the flow of the paper much more intuitive.