1. Imagine your brain-cells are like trees, with each one storing related information on its branches.
2. Now try arranging the key points of any topic on a sheet of white paper in the same treelike format.
3. Start with the central topic - preferably with a symbol - in the center of the page, then draw branches spreading out from it. If you're Mind Mapping New York, use the Statue of Liberty as the centerpoint. If it's Sydney, use the harbor bridge. If it's our chapter on the brain, sketch a two-sided brain.
4. Generally record only one word and/or symbol for each point you want to recall - one main theme to each branch.
5. Put related points on the same main branches, each one shooting off like a new sub-branch.