By presenting ideas or thoughts on a mind map, the brain is encouraged to think from all angles. A mind map also stimulates brainstorming. The brain will start to contemplate the relationships between ideas rather than viewing them as a hierarchical list.
Guide to Constructing Mind Maps in Word
I. Benefits of Utilizing Mind Maps in Microsoft Word
- Mind maps are a swift note-taking method, leveraging auditory, visual, and information processing capabilities, and organizing them.
- Mind maps stimulate creativity and logical thinking and can maximize memory retention and database organization.
- Utilizing mind maps is an effective method to sketch unique ideas, creative thoughts under time constraints.
- Mind maps are akin to a 'universal map' for the brain, a key to triggering accurate, easy, and efficient information recall.
II. Guide to Constructing Mind Maps in Word
- 1. Quick Tutorial
- Step 1: Open Microsoft Word software on your PC.
Step 2: Go to Layout > Orientation > Landscape.
Step 3: Insert => Shapes to insert shapes for your diagram. - Step 4: Personalize your diagram using options within Shapes Format.
2. Detailed Instructions
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word software on your PC.
Step 2: Go to Layout => Orientation => Landscape to switch to landscape orientation.
- You can still use portrait orientation; however, landscape mode provides the widest horizontal workspace for working and drawing mind maps.
Step 3: Click on Insert => Shapes => Choose the shape you want => Press hold and drag to draw.
- Reference: Drawing Shapes in Word
Step 4: Right-click on the drawn block => select Add Text => Type text into the shape.
Step 5: Connect shape blocks with lines, arrows under Lines in Insert => Shapes.
Step 6: You can insert additional icons to make the diagram more vivid and appealing. Position the mouse cursor where you want to insert, go to Insert => Icons.
- See more: Mind mapping software
Step 7: Select Icons => Insert.
- Once completed, you can have a mind map as illustrated below.
With Word's basic features, you can quickly draw yourself a simple mind map. However, Word is not a specialized tool for mind mapping; you may refer to how to draw mind maps with XMind for creating more complex mind maps.