Inspiration 9: getting startedInspiration mind maps are useful for planning essays and reports, or creating revision prompts. Here is how to create a mind map and convert it into a Microsoft Word document.

1. Open Inspiration 9 by clicking on the Inspiration icon. Select MAP to create a mind map. (NB. the default selection is DIAGRAM which creates a spider diagram).

2. You are presented with a page containing a central cloud shape called CENTRAL IDEA surrounded by four empty branches.

3. To add your essay title to this central cloud, click in the cloud and type the new name. You can name the existing branches on the mind map (to represent the main themes or paragraphs in your essay), by clicking on each branch and typing in the text box.

4. Alternatively, you can use the RapidFire icon on the main tool bar to add new branches. To use this method, click with your mouse inside the cloud, select the RapidFire icon, type the name of the branch and press return to create a new branch.

5. To add further detail to each branch, click on the branch and then select the Subtopic icon, or click on the + sign on the end of the branch. This creates a new sub-branch, which you can then name.

6. You can add picture prompts to your mind map using the Symbols palette on the left of the screen. Picture prompts are useful if you are making a mind map for revision. Click on Search and enter the name of the image that you want to find, or click on the downwards arrow to browse the symbol libraries.

2 | P a g e

7. You can add detail, such as notes or citations, to the mind map. Click on the relevant branch and then select the Note icon. It will create a small yellow note that you can type text into. This is useful if you are using your mind map to help build up an essay.

8. You can switch from the mind map view to the outline view (a list) by selecting the Outline icon. In this view, any notes added appear under their branch subheadings.

9. To transfer your map to a Word document, first save your document by selecting File and Save. Then select Transfer to Word Processor, and select OK. The mind map appears as an image at the top of your Word document, and the text appears in a linear format underneath. This can be used as the plan for your essay/report.

3 | P a g e