Nothing beats putting pen to paper when taking notes. While typing excels in speed and searchability, handwriting may benefit memory. The slower, multi-sensory experience of writing by hand creates a deeper connection with the information, enhancing both encoding and recall.
But if you take extensive notes for your projects or tasks—whether at school or at work—you’d know how reams of paper soon start to make you feel disoriented.
Taking notes and organizing ideas should help you work more efficiently and not add to your stress by going back and forth, trying to dig for information.
Keep cognitive overload at bay with tried and tested note-taking techniques instead. You can also use several tools and templates to get started quickly.
In this article, we’ll explain the mapping note-taking method in detail and help you discover new tools to improve long-term memory retention.
How to Use the Mapping Note-Taking Method (With Templates)
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Is the Mapping Note-Taking Method?
Mapping note-taking or concept mapping is a visual method of capturing information and ideas.
Instead of writing linear notes, you organize them diagrammatically, for example, by using a mind map to connect key concepts. The most common method is to write the central idea in the middle of a document and then connect subtopics, ideas, and concepts in a hierarchical structure through branches. You can use shapes, colors, arrows, and images to highlight important connections.
Unlike traditional note-taking, this method of note-taking is especially useful for visual learners and for expressing complex subjects in a simple way. It helps you see the relationships between ideas and improves information recall.
Summarize this article for me pleaseHow to Take Notes Using the Mapping Note-Taking Method
Here’s a breakdown of the mapping note-taking method:
- Identify the key topic and write it down in the center of your page. Say you attended a seminar on improving marketing tactics, then ‘improving marketing tactics’ becomes your key topic
- Think of the supporting ideas connected to the central topic. These are your subtopics. Write them around the main idea and connect them with lines.
- After you write the key topic, branch out with connecting pointers to subtopics such as ‘take regular feedback’ or ‘conduct target audience profiling’
- Divide each subtopic further. Explore details, facts, and examples that bolster these subtopics. Feel free to add additional branches for these details
- Use colors, symbols, or images to highlight key points and connections. This adds another layer of organization and boosts visual memory
- Examine your mind map. Ask yourself: “Are there any missing connections?” or “Does the flow make sense visually?” Refine your mind maps for greater clarity
This guide will help you use some pre-built note-taking templates to get a jump start on the mind-mapping method.
Summarize this article for me pleaseMapping Note-Taking Method Templates
Although the method of note-taking is beginner-friendly, a little bit of direction could prove useful.
ClickUp Blank Mind Map Whiteboard Template
The ClickUp Blank Mind Map Whiteboard Template is a fully customizable, ready-to-use tool that can get you started on mapping note-taking methods during lectures, meetings, or discussions.
The ‘main idea’ bulb illustration in this template illustrates where your key topic goes, and then it extends into blurbs called sub-ideas. Each sub-idea lets you break larger concepts into smaller ones, with color coding that helps you organize each segment.
You can also use this template while brainstorming and building your concept maps into an impactful solution. It’s ideal for marketers, creative freelancers, and advertisers, who can whip it out whenever they need fresh perspectives.
| Pro-tip: The mind mapping method can also help you simplify your workflows. Visualize thought processes with the process mapping method and remove inefficiencies to achieve better business outcomes faster. |
ClickUp Simple Mind Map Template
If you’re looking for a simple mind map template without any color coding and illustrations, the ClickUp Simple Mind Map Template can come in handy.
This is not just a mind map but also a task management tool to delegate tasks to your team members. This template provides a hierarchical structure to your workflows.
Start with a central topic or add several main ideas and then branch them out into subtopics—as many as you want to explore with drag-and-drop options. With ClickUp Tasks, you can transform each idea into a task and assign it to the relevant team members.
You can use this template to build a transparent system and ensure everyone gets credit where it’s due.
You can ‘@mention’ team members to replay instant feedback from clients or have a discussion by commenting on threads. As team managers, while holding meetings, you can use a designated note keeper to fill in the ideas for organization and reduce repetition during meetings.
On this one-stop platform, you can explore 1000+ ClickUp templates for mind mapping, note-taking, creative and design processes, and specialized use cases in engineering, IT, and recruitment.
Summarize this article for me pleaseMapping Note-Taking Method Tools
Want to mind map your notes faster?
With ClickUp’s Project Management Software, discover tools that will not just help you take notes but also refine the way you write and handle project briefs and task descriptions.
| Pro-tip: Explore the best note-taking apps for Mac and sync them across all your Apple devices! |
Here are a few tools from ClickUp that make note-taking easier and keep your notes organized.
1. Take notes and convert them into shareable docs
Use ClickUp Notes to organize all your task lists, to-do lists, and even grocery lists—in one place. Access them anytime and enjoy the freedom to jot down your thoughts and observations.
Here’s what you can achieve with this tool:
- Keep your notes and action items organized with checklists. Drag-and-drop items to easily move them within your checklist and nest them to create a visual hierarchy
- Add headers, bullets, and colors to organize notes neatly
- Convert any notepad entry into a trackable task with due dates, assignees, and priorities
- Integrate it with Google Chrome and use it to jot notes in virtual lectures or meeting
- Use it as your digital journal to record your thoughts and feelings
Got your notes? Now convert them into structured documents with complete context with ClickUp Docs. With a rich editing format, embed videos or links right into your documents and share them in chat or email. Regulate who can view your documents by controlling access and permissions. With real-time collaboration, you can edit or write with your teammates and build on your notes.
Merge your docs and tasks to monitor your progress all in one place. Create your workflows by adding widgets to track progress and assign time frames. You can color-code your documents to organize them systematically.
2. Use the mapping note-taking method to create mind maps
ClickUp Whiteboards acts as a digital board for you to create mind maps. You can use drag-and-drop sticky notes to move ideas across your board, strategize by drawing diagrams, or take visual notes that can be accessed by your team.
See your team’s progress with every task by directly delegating work through the board. Monitor what’s still to be done and what requires feedback with agile workflows. Use pre-built templates and project management tools for your marketing needs.
You can use whiteboards to create ClickUp Mind Maps, too: Use this tool to take visual notes, brainstorm ideas, organize projects, and collaborate in real time.
Directly add, edit, and delete tasks in your Mind Map, organizing your workflow without the need to switch views. Experience the convenience of task management right where your ideas take shape.
Want to collaborate? Share your mind maps within your Workspace. Your team members can view and contribute to mind maps in real time, enhancing teamwork and synergy.
Utilize the item menu to personalize your mind maps, making them more intuitive and aligned with your project’s needs. Customize the mind maps to make your notes uniquely yours.
Clarify project pathways with task-based mind maps. Build a step-by-step blueprint for your projects by linking ClickUp Tasks in your Mind Map, ensuring a structured approach to your project planning and execution.
3. Refine your notes with AI-powered tools
Use AI to refine your work: manage tasks, create workflows, align resources, and generate ideas faster without indulging in repetitive actions that waste time.
ClickUp Brain’s AI Writer for Work learns how you think, then writes and improves your text at every step—exactly as you would but much more quickly.
Let’s give you an overview of all that you can do with the AI Writer for Work:
- Perfect your writing with an integrated assistant who’s trained on your work—from understanding the tonality in your email to improving text throughout your notes
- Reply to messages in shorthand while chatting or emailing on ClickUp. Allow AI to magically craft your message with the perfect tone
- Use AI tools to create tables with rich data and insights from your notes
- Generate templates for Tasks, Docs, and Projects instantly for a variety of uses, such as onboarding forms, brainstorming templates, or generating ideas for marketing campaigns
- Turn voice into text and use AI to answer questions from your meetings and Clips
- Refine the way you jot down ideas, combine them with notes, and condense information wherever needed
Getting started with the mind mapping method is easier than ever with AI to assist you. Use it to boost your information retention and enhance your productivity.
Summarize this article for me pleasePerfect Your Mapping Note-Taking Method
The mapping note-taking method can be a powerful tool if you wish to minimize cognitive overload. By representing complex information visually, you can retain ideas better and bring a deeper appreciation for the connections between ideas.
Whether you’re a student grappling with complex concepts or a professional seeking to organize your workflow, the mapping method can be a game-changer. Remember, the key lies in simplicity and active engagement. Start with your central topic, branch out with subtopics, and layer on details as you explore the intricacies of the subject.
Use as many color combinations, symbols, and even images to enhance your map’s visual appeal!
If you want a digital solution to note-taking, ClickUp’s mind mapping software neatly integrates with its suite of note-taking and document management tools. With this note-taking app, you can create stunning mind maps, leverage powerful AI features to enhance your writing, and keep all your notes and documents organized in one central location. Sign up to ClickUp today!
Questions? Comments? Visit our Help Center for support.