Mind Mapping Your Topic

Mind mapping your topic is good for generating ideas for focusing your topic and for generating keywords for searching.

Sample Mind Map

Below is a sample mind map.

We started by writing down our main topic: "".
Next, we branched out into four ideas or subtopics related to our main topic.
After we had our ideas or subtopics, we wrote down keywords and/or synonyms related to each of our subtopics. These words can also be useful when we begin searching for information about our topic in a search engine or database.
Finally, we used the ideas and keyword combinations from our mind map to help finalize a research question.

Use the form below to create your own Mind Map.

Start off by entering your main topic.
Main Topic:

Next, enter an idea or question related to your topic.
Subtopic 1:

Next, enter keywords and/or synonyms for the idea or question you entered above.
Keywords:

Write down another idea or question related to your topic.
Subtopic 2:

Next, enter keywords and/or synonyms for the idea or question you entered above.
Keywords:

Write down another idea or question related to your topic.
Subtopic 3:

Next, enter keywords and/or synonyms for the idea or question you entered above.
Keywords:

Write down one more idea or question related to your topic.
Subtopic 4:

Next, enter keywords and/or synonyms for the idea or question you entered above.
Keywords:

Finally, use the ideas and keyword combinations above to help finalize your topic.
Final Question: