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Using mind maps to develop writing, how they can effectively be used to…
Using mind maps to develop writing
What is a mind map ?
is a strategy for making notes on a topic
It is a structured strategy, which shows the (hierarchical) relationship of ideas
The advantages of mind maps
Having an organised display of information from the outset of the writing process
Mind maps work well as their visual design enables students to see the relationship between ideas
encourages them to group certain ideas together as they proceed.
How to make mind maps with your students
A) Choosing a topic
The mind map strategy can be used to explore almost any topic
students may prefer to nominate the topic themselves.
e.g. Why do people start smoking?
B) Note making
Once the topic has been introduced, I encourage my students to close their eyes and think about it for a minute or two, in silence.
If they do not know a word in English, they can write it in L1 at this stage,
Then, working in groups, they can compare and discuss their ideas,
The next stage, in which the teacher makes a collective mind map on the board, is optional, but is useful for students who are new to the idea of mind maps,
C) Organising mind maps
the students organise their mind maps into a linear format to decide the best way in which to present their points.
They should first think about the overall structure, i.e. the order in which to relay the information, and then focus on the precise function each paragraph will have in their final text, as this helps to clarify their writing.
it is important to provide a context and audience - college magazine.
Having an audience in mind helps students to decide which ideas are most important, and also helps students to choose the appropriate style.
D) Writing
tudents should then begin to write their compositions, working in pairs if they wish. After two paragraphs, they should exchange their compositions, so they become readers of each other's work.
This allows for feedback, and possible re-writing. Once they have finished, they should again exchange their texts.
how they can effectively be used to help support and develop students' writing skills.