Mental Maps

Radial structuring of ideas

The process of translating the chaos of abstract ideas in the mind into a tangible structure on paper can be overwhelming if traditional linear methods, such as endless lists of text, are used.

A superior alternative for creative planning is the use of mind maps or radial diagrams. This technique mimics the way the brain associates concepts in a non-linear fashion.

To begin, the title or core concept of the presentation is placed in the center of a blank sheet of paper or digital canvas.

From this core, lines radiate outward, creating an organic structure similar to the branches of a tree or neurons.

This allows the entire speech to be visualized at a glance, making it easy to identify gaps in content or imbalances in structure before writing a single line of the final script.

Hierarchy: Central Theme > Main Branches > Details

The effectiveness of the mind map lies in its visual hierarchy. From the central core, the "mother branches", which represent the fundamental pillars or major chapters of the speech, should be drawn.

For a 30-minute presentation, for example, the ideal is to establish around four main branches so as not to saturate the audience. Suppose the central theme is "Leadership in Crisis".

The four main branches could be: "Communication", "Empathy", "Decision" and "Resilience".

From each of these thick branches, "secondary branches" or finer details unfold.

In the "Communication" branch, sub-branches such as "Transparency" or "Frequency" might emerge.

This breakdown allows you to calculate time: if each main branch and its details take approximately three minutes of exposition, you can estimate the total duration and adjust the content by adding or pruning branches as needed.

This method ensures that no key point is left undeveloped and that the logical structure is sound.

Abstract

Translating abstract ideas into tangible structures can be overwhelming. Mind mapping mimics non-linear brain association, facilitating much smoother creative planning.

Positioning the central concept and radiating branches allows visualization of the entire discourse. This method identifies gaps or structural imbalances before writing the final script.

Dividing into four main branches helps to avoid saturating the audience. This hierarchical breakdown allows for accurate timing, ensuring that no key point is left out.