How to Make a Concept Map

Return to concept mapping from make a concept map

After you have read about concept mapping and how much of a great study skill it is (via the link above) you are 1/2 of the way there to having your very own concept mapping diploma. So without any further a due, let's get busy with it!

Instructions

1. Grab a piece of paper, A4 or A3 -- dependent on how "brainy" you are feeling today. Make sure this piece of paper is not lined as they disrupt the natural flow of thoughts.
2. Decide on a topic for your very first concept map; for the sake of this article I will choose a common question: What causes the seasons (looks like I will have to be doing some google-ing on this one!) Your topic could be anything ranging from "Dangerous Alcohol Usage Amongst Australian Teenagers" to a simple "Why do people love ice-cream?"
3. Write this topic at the top-middle part of your page. Put it in a box. Think of this as the seed of your concept map. From this will grow a tree with all of your thoughts.
4. You then start to explore the different possibilities. Say you though it had something to do with the tilt of the planet's rotational axis. That would be a new concept: So draw another box below the initial concept, then connect it via an arrow and then label it. You may also want to label the actual arrow as well. This is very common in concept mapping.

   Your concept map should now look some thing like this:

   
5. Well done, you are nearly done. The rest of the concept map is exactly like step 4. All you have to do is add more ideas and let the concept map grow. Soon enough, it should end up look something like this...