Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
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Quick answers
When should I pick Mind map?
When the story is: brainstorming, revision notes, early structure.
When should I avoid Mind map?
Skip it in cases like: you must prove a claim with evidence in order.
Who invented or popularised it?
Popularised by Tony Buzan from the 1970s; older radial notes exist
What does it encode?
radial branches around a central topic
Is it OK in ads?
Yes if one claim is visible at a glance in Meta, Google and retail print; otherwise link to a full figure.
Will a teacher accept it?
Yes for lab reports and poster boards if axes, units and a source line are present.
Mind map encodes values as radial branches around a central topic. Popularised by Tony Buzan from the 1970s; older radial notes exist.
In reports, ads and assignments it fits brainstorming, revision notes, early structure. Skip it when you must prove a claim with evidence in order.
Parts
- Mark — The core mark of Mind map is radial branches around a central topic.
- Scale — The scale must show zero (or a declared break) and units.
- Axis — Axis titles name the variable, not a mood.
- Legend — A legend is weaker than a direct label. Write beside the mark when you can.
- Label — Numbers are optional. If comparison is the job, label the ends only.
- Grid — Keep the grid faint. Data should own the ink.
- Annotation — One annotation sentence. Date the source.
- Frame — A thin frame. Never a 3-D box.
Variants
- Concept map — Variant 1 of Mind map (Concept map). Same encoding, different layout.
- Radial tree — Variant 2 of Mind map (Radial tree). Same encoding, different layout.
- Buzan map — Variant 3 of Mind map (Buzan map). Same encoding, different layout.
- Mind map 4 — Variant 4 of Mind map (Mind map 4). Same encoding, different layout.
Labels
- Axis — On Mind map, make Mark readable.
- Legend — On Mind map, make Scale readable.
- Label — On Mind map, make Axis readable.
- Grid — On Mind map, make Legend readable.
- Annotation — On Mind map, make Label readable.
Mind map: honour radial branches around a central topic, and switch when you must prove a claim with evidence in order.