One of the most powerful tools you can use to improve your reading comprehension is mind mapping. In this article you will learn how to use this tool quickly and easily. You are going to get very excited by the results you experience while using this tool.

There are many ways to create a mind map. The software product that I prefer to use is called “Mind Manager,” but there are many other products you can find online by using “Google” to search for mind mapping software. However, it is also possible to create maps by simply using a pen and paper, or a touch pad while working on a computer. This article will focus upon creating a mind map without using software, but all the concepts you are learning can be transferred to any software product that you may choose to use.

The first step is to draw a circle or box at the center of the page. Inside your shape write down the main idea that your mind map will focus upon. For example, if you were creating a mind map about the geography of the United States, then you would label wrote down, “the geography of the United States,” in the middle of your page inside your circle.

Next you draw branches from your central idea. Much like a tree grows branches. Simply draw a line moving away from the central theme. In the case of the geography of the United States, you would probably draw 50 lines. Each line represents one of the 50 states. These are the main categories within your primary concept.

Each of the lines can then have lines branching off of each of them. These would represent the main examples under each category. For example, under the line titled, “Texas,” you would find lines called Austin, Houston, and Dallas.

Each of these main example lines can also have lines running off of them. These lines represent the details. For example, under the line titled, “Dallas,” you might draw a series of lines to represent some of its main sections like, “South Dallas,” and “Highland Park.”

You continue to draw your mind map much like the structure of branches on a tree. Mind maps help improve your comprehension because they enable you see quickly see relationships between main ideas, categories, examples, and details that might otherwise be missed using more traditional note taking strategies.

Experiment making mind maps on familiar topics first, and soon you will find yourself using them over and over again to improve your comprehension while reading and studying.