What is mapping?

Mapping can be used to either generate ideas OR to sort out and develop ideas you have generated through another preparation method such as brainstorming or freewriting. Mapping is how we lay out the ideas visually to find connections and to branch out and make new ideas and connections. Eventually mapping will lead you to a list of ideas and a sequence to use them in. (This will lead you to Structure and planning.)

How to do mapping.

1. How to use mapping to generate ideas Write the topic in the middle of the page. Draw branches out from that topic and write keywords or phrases that you associate with that topic. Draw more branches out from each of those keywords (sub-topics) to develop each of those ideas. Look, then, at which of the sub-topics go together and if any of the extended ideas can link to each other. Draw branches and lines between the ideas that could work together. Decide, then, if you would like to regroup your ideas. Write the topic in the middle of the page again and go through the first steps again with the new groupings. Do this as many times as you like until you have clear responses and ideas that you can now form into the parts of an essay. With the bubbles and branches you can see how the ideas work, how they interrelate and how they work together as a whole. (See Structure and planning and/or Writing the first draft)

Example of mapping to generate ideas: This is the mapping used in the creation of the essay, "Kandinsky's Spirituality." The essay that grew out of this mapping is available at the end of the site. 2. How to use mapping to sort out your preparation writing Write your topic in the middle of a large piece of paper. Take you brainstorming list or your freewriting and with a pen circle the central ideas. Which of those ideas link to other ideas on your page? What would be the main idea? What would be subsidiary or linked ideas? Transfer the main ideas to the mapping page. Make each idea its own bubble, then attach the linked ideas as branches. Use lines and branches to show how any of the large or linked ideas interrelate. Don't be afraid to add bubbles or branches that weren't in your original preparation writing. Keep those ideas growing! Once you can see how all of the ideas work together, you are ready to make a list or plan of which ideas to use in what order in your essay. (See Structure and planning or Writing the first draft.)

Now that you have finished mapping... Now you are ready to put your ideas in a definite order and start your draft. Go to Structure and planning to find a good sequence for your ideas. If you have already written a list of which ideas you'll use in which order (don't just have the list in your head - WRITE IT DOWN so you don't forget anything), then proceed to Writing the first draft.

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Interpreting assignments and essay questions
Understanding the writing process/preparation writing
Structure and planning
Citation
Writing the first draft

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