A mind map is a visual record of new vocabulary, or other content.

Woman in front of a mind map

Vocabulary mind maps are also known as word maps or spidergrams, and are organised in a way that shows groupings or relationships between the words.

Example
The teacher writes a list of words based around the topic of food on the board. Learners organise the words in a mind map and then compare ideas on how they have grouped words and related them.

In the classroom
Mind maps are often used as a tool in the planning stage for writing exercises, as learners can structure ideas and discuss how they are related.

Further links:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/using-mind-maps-develop-writing

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/graphic-organisers

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/planning-a-writing-lesson

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