A mind map is a diagram used to visually organize information. A mind map  is hierarchical and shows relationships among pieces of the whole.[1] It is often created  around a single concept, drawn as an image in the center of a blank page, to which  associated representations of ideas such as images, words and parts of words are  added. Major ideas are connected directly to the central concept, and other  ideas branch out from those major ideas.

Although the term “mind map” was first popularized by British popular psychology  author and television personality Tony Buzan, the use of diagrams that visually “map”  information using branching and radial maps traces back centuries. These pictorial  methods record knowledge and model systems, and have a long history in learning,  brainstorming, memory, visual thinking, and problem solving by educators, engineers,  psychologists, and others. Some of the earliest examples of such graphical records were  developed by Porphyry of Tyros, a noted thinker of the 3rd century, as he graphically  visualized the concept categories of Aristotle. Philosopher Ramon Llull (1235–1315) also  used such techniques.

The semantic network was developed in the late 1950s as a theory to understand human  learning and developed further by Allan M. Collins and M. Ross Quillian during the early 1960s.  Mind maps are similar in structure to concept maps, developed by learning experts in the  1970s, but differ in that mind maps are simplified by focusing around a single central key  concept.

Although the term "mind map" was first popularized by British popular psychology author  and television personality Tony Buzan, the use of diagrams that visually "map"  information using branching and radial maps traces back centuries. These pictorial  methods record knowledge and model systems, and have a long history in  learning, brainstorming, memory, visual thinking, and problem solving by educators,  engineers, psychologists, and others. Some of the earliest examples of such graphical  records were developed by Porphyry of Tyros, a noted thinker of the 3rd century, as he  graphically visualized the concept categories of Aristotle. Philosopher Ramon Llull (1235– 1315) also used such techniques.  The semantic network was developed in the late 1950s as a theory to understand human  learning and developed further by Allan M. Collins and M. Ross Quillian during the early  1960s. Mind maps are similar in structure to concept maps, developed by learning experts  in the 1970s, but differ in that mind maps are simplified by focusing around a single  central key concept

Mind map Strategies for whole-food plant-based living

Once you understand how to take notes in the Mind Map format, you can develop your own  conventions for taking them further. The following suggestions can help you to get the most  from your Mind Maps:

Use Single Words or Uncomplicated Phrases – Keep things simple. In Mind Maps, single strong  words and short, meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently. Excess  words just clutter a Mind Map.

Print Words – They will be easier to read than joined-up or indistinct writing.

Use Color to Separate Different Ideas – Color can help to show the organization of the subject.  It can also make your Mind Map a more appealing document, and help you to visualize the  different sections of your Mind Map for future recall.

Use Symbols and Images – Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively  than words, so use symbols or pictures that mean something to you, use it. (You can use photo  libraries like iStock to source images inexpensively.)

Using Cross-Linkages – Information in one part of a Mind Map may relate to another part, so  draw lines to show these cross-linkages. This will help you to see how one part of the subject  affects another.


A mind map is a diagram used to visually organize information . A mind map is hierarchical and shows relationships among pieces of the whole.[1 ] It is often created around a single concept , drawn as an image in the center of a blank page , to which associated representations of ideas such as images , words and parts of words are added . Major ideas are connected directly to the central concept , and other ideas branch out from those major ideas . Although the term “ mind map ” was first popularized by British popular psychology author and television personality Tony Buzan , the use of diagrams that visually “ map ” information using branching and radial maps traces back centuries . These pictorial methods record knowledge and model systems , and have a long history in learning , brainstorming , memory , visual thinking , and problem solving by educators , engineers , psychologists , and others . Some of the earliest examples of such graphical records were developed by Porphyry of Tyros , a noted thinker of the 3rd century , as he graphically visualized the concept categories of Aristotle . Philosopher Ramon Llull ( 1235–1315 ) also used such techniques . The semantic network was developed in the late 1950s as a theory to understand human learning and developed further by Allan M. Collins and M. Ross Quillian during the early 1960s . Mind maps are similar in structure to concept maps , developed by learning experts in the 1970s , but differ in that mind maps are simplified by focusing around a single central key concept . Although the term " mind map " was first popularized by British popular psychology author and television personality Tony Buzan , the use of diagrams that visually " map " information using branching and radial maps traces back centuries . These pictorial methods record knowledge and model systems , and have a long history in learning , brainstorming , memory , visual thinking , and problem solving by educators , engineers , psychologists , and others . Some of the earliest examples of such graphical records were developed by Porphyry of Tyros , a noted thinker of the 3rd century , as he graphically visualized the concept categories of Aristotle . Philosopher Ramon Llull ( 1235 – 1315 ) also used such techniques . The semantic network was developed in the late 1950s as a theory to understand human learning and developed further by Allan M. Collins and M. Ross Quillian during the early 1960s . Mind maps are similar in structure to concept maps , developed by learning experts in the 1970s , but differ in that mind maps are simplified by focusing around a single central key concept Mind map Strategies for whole - food plant - based living Once you understand how to take notes in the Mind Map format , you can develop your own conventions for taking them further . The following suggestions can help you to get the most from your Mind Maps : Use Single Words or Uncomplicated Phrases – Keep things simple . In Mind Maps , single strong words and short , meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently . Excess words just clutter a Mind Map . Print Words – They will be easier to read than joined - up or indistinct writing . Use Color to Separate Different Ideas – Color can help to show the organization of the subject . It can also make your Mind Map a more appealing document , and help you to visualize the different sections of your Mind Map for future recall . Use Symbols and Images – Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively than words , so use symbols or pictures that mean something to you , use it . ( You can use photo libraries like iStock to source images inexpensively . ) Using Cross - Linkages – Information in one part of a Mind Map may relate to another part , so draw lines to show these cross - linkages . This will help you to see how one part of the subject affects another .