Writer's Tool Box~ Reflection

Writer's Tool Box Reflection 

From the reading assignment Writer's Tool Box, I felt I learned a lot about the history and usage of the mind map, concept map, free writing, as well as the whole brainstorming process. It truly was interesting learning about Leonardo Da Vinci's use of  precursors to the mind mapping of the modern day. Also, the fact that many other well-known educated individuals through history used their own versions of mind mapping to understand and create the complexities of the universe. A graphic mind map is very similar to a verbal one, but the addition of images and sketches aids in the overall connection of ideas and associations. Concept maps are very similar to mind maps, but focus on system thinking and investigate the connections more thoroughly. Also, concept maps show the relationships between subjects. Although personally I prefer mind mapping, because concept mapping has a more scientific and structural background. Mind mapping allows a person to seriously think about a certain topic from every angle with as little criticism as possible. It helps to create the flow of ideas and create new connections between words that otherwise wouldn't have a connection. I also really like free writing, yet it really is hard for me to do. Free writing aids in many of the same ways mind mapping does. It provides the thinker a way to get everything out and then refine their ideas. Brain writing seems to structural and solid for me. The worksheet example made this idea solidify. From personal experience, I also really like word listing because it's fascinating to create connections between two separate words on this list. All in all I feel the Writer's Tool Box reading provided great information on the brainstorming process and enabled me to more thoroughly understand the different forms of creating ideas for a project.