I’ve got more to share with you on mind maps. The first video is from the original developer of the concept, Tony Buzan. The second video shows how Inspiration was used to build a mind map of Steve Jobs’ Commencement Address at Stanford University in 2005. I hope you enjoy them and find them useful.
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Ready. Set. WRITE!
The most important sentence in any article is the first one. If it doesn’t induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, your article is dead…Of such a progression of sentences, each tugging the reader forward until he is hooked, the writer constructs that fateful unit, the “lead.” (On Writing Well, William Zinssler, 1976)
The trouble is that I usually can’t write the lead first. Rather than trying to force the perfect lead, I usually start by brainstorming my thoughts and organizing my resources with a mind map. After the project has begun to take shape, the lead usually comes easily. The point is to get started. Rewriting and editing are for crafting the language.
Mind mapping is the diagramming of ideas and concepts to help streamline thought processes and organize information. Applications help users organize, house and link thousands of pieces of information, including reports, links and text, in a personalized and visual way. Granted, for most projects you don’t need “thousands” of pieces of information, but mind maps are scalable and useful for small or large projects.
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Is your web site getting results? Are visitors converting to customers? Are they calling you for a quote or joining your mailing list? Maybe it’s your copy. Follow these tips for great web copy that connects with your reader and leads them right through your front door.
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Do you have difficulty remembering when to use the word effect and when you should use affect? Confused about its and it’s or lay and lie?
Using the wrong word makes you look dumb. It’s distracting to the reader and knocks your writing off course. Many thanks to reader FredinChina for bringing us this nifty little tool. The free searchable database at Confusing Words is fast and easy to use.
Each set of confusables (eg: there, their, they’re) are displayed together as follows:
Confusing words and their definitions
Examples: the confusing words used in sentences
Notes: more information and links to other groups that contain the same words
This tool was developed by a teacher for her students to use way back in Apple Hypercard days. The database has grown over 20 years and contains over 3,000 entries now. Keep a short-cut to this link handy and you’ll never embarrass yourself by using the wrong word again.
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