Creating a mind map is one way to find your best ideas for writing. It is a way to externalize the ideas that have been bouncing around in your mind so that later, you can evaluate those ideas and decide which ones you want to use in your paper.
When you mind map, put down your main topic in the centre of the page and then jot down all of your ideas on your writing topic. Add details to each point.
As you create your mind map for your first paper in HMEC 2030, start by reflecting on your own experience. Consider these questions:
(Go back to the narrative paragraph that was written about you if you need ideas.)
Then, think about what you have learned about Human Ecology so far in the course.
Create a mind map that includes as many of your ideas as possible.
After creating your mind map, you can look at your ideas more objectively and decide which ideas you want to keep, which ideas you want to discard, which ideas fit together, and which order you want to present ideas in.
This process can lead you to a more structured outline for your paper.
Mind Mapping: Step 1
Creating a mind map is one way to find your best ideas for writing. It is a way to externalize the ideas that have been bouncing around in your mind so that later, you can evaluate those ideas and decide which ones you want to use in your paper.
When you mind map, put down your main topic in the centre of the page and then jot down all of your ideas on your writing topic. Add details to each point.
As you create your mind map for your first paper in HMEC 2030, start by reflecting on your own experience. Consider these questions:
• What does Human Ecology mean to me?
• What has brought me into this field?
• What do I think it means to be a Human Ecologist?
(Go back to the narrative paragraph that was written about you if you need ideas.)
Then, think about what you have learned about Human Ecology so far in the course.
• How have professionals in the field described Human Ecology?
• How do professionals in the field today describe Human Ecology?
• Which of those descriptions of Human Ecology resonate with me?
Create a mind map that includes as many of your ideas as possible.
Mind Mapping: Step 2
After creating your mind map (with all of your ideas), you can look at your ideas more objectively and decide which ideas you want to keep, which ideas you want to discard, which ideas fit together, and which order you want to present ideas in.
This process can lead you to a more structured outline for your paper.
Try the online mind mapping tool developed by the University of Arizona Library called the COOL Mind Mapping. The web address is http://www.library.arizona.edu/help/tutorials/mindMap/index.php