by Abigail Zhu

Created on: April 01, 2009

Before becoming effective in using mind maps, you would need to set aside any preconceptions about mind mapping. Therefore, in order to create mind maps that can effectively communicate the message across, there are 5 laws (http://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/goal/Resources/MindMap/ index_06.htm) of mind mapping that should be adhered to; to create mind maps that are attractive and functional.

By using these 5 laws, recall and review of a mind map's content will be more effective and rapid. Disadvantages of standard note taking, such as time being wasted on reading redundant words, or/and words which have no bearing on memory, can be eliminated as well. (Buzan 2007)
1) Use Emphasis
Every component in a mind map is important, so placing emphasis on images, keywords, colours, spacing, and branches helps to convey its importance. In addition, by having a variation in (creative) imagery and keywords by using colours and spacing, further accentuates the mind map's meaning.

Images
As an image is often worth a thousand words', mind maps should always start with a central image. The central image allows us to be familiar with the main topic of the mind map.

In some cases, rather than keywords, (creative) imagery can also be used elsewhere in the mind map to communicate concepts to the reader. Using (creative) imagery in mind maps helps to stimulate creative thought, and at the same time significantly increases memory. (Buzan 2007)

Keywords
Buzan (2007) mentions that we should not use more than one keyword per branch for mind mapping, and such keywords should be printed in uppercasing, as an extra form of emphasis. By linking keywords, which express descriptions or summary, with other related branches, the reader can get a better understanding of what each branch in the mind map is trying to communicate.

Colours
Colours are useful as a creative memory aid (enhances memory), and can be used to not only group related branches together, but also express concepts such as importance or priority. (Buzan 2007)

Spacing
By using appropriate spacing in a mind map, how branches are spaced can indicate if they are closely or distantly related.

2) Use Association
All mind maps have concepts that are related, with each linked branch being associated with each other. By associating related concepts, readers can get a clearer picture of the mind map's meaning.

Arrows
Arrows "can be used to show how concepts which appear on different parts or a pattern are connected", they "can be single or multi-headed and

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