Concept Mapping

Concept mapping gives you a visual representation of the relationship among ideas. It is useful before, during, and after reading as an aid in organizing information.

• Organizes topics in selection.
• Identifies ideas scattered throughout the piece.
• Organizes information in research.
• Narrows topics to specific areas.

1. Choose a word or concept and write it in the center of you paper and draw a border around it.
2. Brainstorm all the information you know about the topic and write the details in circles around the outer boundaries of the paper around the main idea in the center.
3. As you research and/ or learn more information in each of the sub-areas, add it to the appropriate area to organize and break down all the information gathered about the main concept in smaller categories.