How To Mind Map Your Essay

[@thomasteepe]

How can we use mind maps for problem solving?
I've done some experiments - here's a short summary.
I use the following three building blocks, which I can combine in different ways.
Building block 1 - the sheet layout:
I use an A4 sheet in landscape format and divide it in 3x3 boxes of equal size - there's no need for exactness and I do it without a ruler.
Alternatively, I can use 3 columns and make boxes of different sizes - but at the beginning, 3x3 boxes are easier to handle.
I fill the boxes in column 1, then in column 2 and then in column 3.
Building block 2 - the box layout:
I use each box for a simple small mind map. The size limit of the box will come as a surprise, but it has a number of advantages which I will describe in a moment.
Instead of mind maps, I can use diagrams, ordinary text with indentations or math terms.
Building block 3 - thinking tools:
I can use thinking tools as topics for the small mind maps, to stimulate my thinking about the problem, like: What are key questions? What are my options? How can I split the problem into smaller parts?
I find a personal collection of thinking tools very useful - I have a corkboard over my work table and can access dozens of tools and stimuli with one glance.
For me, this process has four main advantages.
First, a conventional mind maps works best with a couple of main branches of equal size. In problem solving however, I often want to develop only one or two branches over many steps, and this leads to an unsymmetrical, unbalanced mind map.
Secondly, moving from one box to the next needs a moment of orientation - where do I stand, and what can I do next? This re-orientation happens much more often in the 3x3 layout than in an ordinary mind map.
Thirdly, I find it easier to reflect on a previous thought in a new box than in a branch of an ordinary mind map.
Fourth, the combination of mind maps and thinking tools seems very powerful to me.
Some remarks:
Depending on handwriting size, paper size and personal taste, we can experiment with 2x2, 3x3 or 4x4 boxes.
As a fourth building block I'm using a zettelkasten to organize my sheets - but that's outside the scope of this comment.

[@tanalaagta3399]

I wish you could include on how you transfer everything in your mind map into actual essay. I think most the content here shows how to do mind map but missing the part on how to transform it into actual essay.

[@sharkysharks135]

U literally just have 103 sub until now???? U should get at least 1000 now :(

[@miranx5735]

I looked away for 5 seconds. I come back and he has a monster web drawn on the whiteboard. Why is it sooo intense??

[@duonghoangminh7634]

I need help with this.

[@sharkysharks135]

U might be veryyy tired 😴:(:::

[@MuhammadBilal-hb8qk]

nonsense