This is a tool to establish prior knowledge and understanding. Although much used, there are some simple rules that will help to make its usage more effective.

• Work on a piece of paper that is positioned landscape rather than portrait style
• Choose the subject of your brainstorming session and write it in the centre of the page - or draw a picture
• Now draw a number of branches (consider using colour) radiating outwards from the central idea - perhaps as many as 10 branches (to encourage wider thinking)
• Let your brain wander freely whilst you write your ideas ON the radiating branches
• Remember not to judge, evaluate or edit your ideas. Write down whatever comes to mind.
• Try to use images and colour
• Continue writing down (or drawing) ideas as they come to you. Add extra branches if needs be

See also Clustering