Startseite » Artikel » Organisation & Motivation » How to Structure Your Ideas With a Mind Map

How to Structure Your Ideas With a Mind Map

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

A mind map can help you structure your ideas. This technique can make it easier to create an outline or a work plan. It connects associative and conscious processes as well as verbal and visual thinking. It also helps reveal connections and develop arguments.

Contents

mind map

Illustration by Stefania Santoro.

How do I create a mind map?

Procedure:

  1. The core of the mind map is the central topic or question: Write this in the center and circle the term.
  2. Working from the core, add the most important and relevant main ideas as main branches and connect them to the central topic.
  3. Branching off these main branches, draw smaller branches with related keywords as a subdivision. You can add further branches as needed: here, too, write the terms on the lines of the branches.

Now you have various options for how to continue working with the mind map:

  • You can continue to add, change, design: Arrows, symbols, colors, or numbering are suitable for this.
  • Main branches can become chapters, while the branches represent chapter contents or subchapters.
  • You can write initial first drafts for the individual sub-topics.
Take your time to create your mind map without rushing and reflect on how best to structure your ideas.

Digital mind maps

You can also create your mind map digitally with various computer programs:

  • XMind (free)
  • Free Mind (free)
  • MindManager (campus license)

Frequently asked questions

How can mind maps help me?

With a mind map, you can structure your ideas. This technique can make it easier to create an outline or a work plan.

What should I keep in mind when creating my mind map?

Create your mind map calmly and without rushing and take time to consider how best to structure your ideas.

Continue browsing

Illustration einer Person vor einem Wegweiser mit verschiedenen Schildern: Schrägstrich, Doppelpunkt, Binnen-I, Doppelnennung, Gendersternchen.

Avoiding Gender Bias in Your Writing

Neutral wording One way to use gender-inclusive language is to express yourself in a neutral way. Here are some examples: Police officers / firefighters … (instead of: policemen / firemen) Chairperson / chair … (instead of: chairman) Humankind / humanity … (instead of: mankind) + Always neutral – In some cases, it may appear artificial …

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

Contributors: Maria Noll, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode, Deirdre Rieker

Illustration: Eine Person hält eine Lupe in der Hand.

How to Integrate Research Positions Into Your Text

Common expressions in academic texts There are many ways to present a position neutrally, using your own words. Here are some examples: According to/in the view of X/…, X states … X explains/writes about the topic … X analyzes/examines/evaluates/divides Y into different groups/classes/types … X assumes/accepts/interprets/reads Y as … X compares/makes a comparison/distinguishes between Y …

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

Contributors: Maria Noll, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode, Deirdre Rieker

This article was published in August 2025 and last updated in November 2024.

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

Contributors: Marcus Fiebig, Maria Noll, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode, Deirdre Rieker

Cookie Consent Banner by Real Cookie Banner