Concept Mapping

A "concept map" or "mind map" is the visual arrangement of topic words and phrases. In the past, these were scribbled on paper, but today's technology has taken this activity to a new level.

check out both Related links. The first one is a fun, free, and interactive way to brainstorm your topic online. Create your own colorful mind maps online and email them, share them with your friends, or save them as an image to use later.

Use the second link to look up words to find their meanings and associations with other words and concepts, and learn how words associate with one another." This is a great way to find synonyms for your search terms. Here's an example:

graphic from the Visuwords Web site

This video from YouTube shows a prototype of a mind-mapping program designed by Tabulatouch.



Below are examples of concept maps. The first explores the concept of vegetarianism from several angles: health, environmental, animal rights, religious and social.


image of a concept map

The purpose of brainstorming is to let ideas come freely, without censoring them. Sketching words out like in the diagrams on this page helps organize and establish relationships between ideas.

The diagram below begins with a broad topic and leads to narrow subtopics (health benefits, health dangers, moral reasons, etc.) which then lead to more specific topics.

Concept maps can be very detailed — or simple — like this one:

image of a concept map

Thesis statement: "As with many brilliant artists, Vincent Van Gogh's exceptional work as a painter was rooted in mental problems he suffered as a result of his relationshiop with his parents."

A final example of a concept map in which a number of subtopics branch from the main topic.


image of a concept map
Combine one or more to create interesting thesis statements to explore:

"Most Hawaii residents have thoroughly rejected instituting the death penalty, but a growing number of younger residents appear to be favoring the death penalty, and are questioning the wisdom of maintaining a ban on it."

Here you might look at the history of public opinion on the death penalty by Hawaii residents. Do men favor the death penalty more than women?