How to do a Mind Map

1. 
2. Focus on key ideas . Skim the chapter - read the abstract, introduction , conclusion, key headings or chapter headings. When skimming through the text observe any diagrams, pictures or graphs. This gives you an overview of what you are about to read, puts it in context and may already give you some clues as to where the most relevant parts are located.
   
3. Read the article in one sitting ( or chunk it into sections/chapters if it is a whole book) and go over any parts you are not quite sure of.
4. Mind Map - Turn the page on the side and do a mind map in "landscape" style. This will give the maximum space for other ideas to radiate out from the center
5. Study your mind map to discover the gaps in your knowledge and refer back to the source material to fill in any of these gaps.
   
6. Use lines, colors, arrows, branches or some other way of showing connections between the ideas generated on your mind map.
7. Personalize the map with your own symbols and designs
8. Draw quickly on unlined paper without pausing, judging or editing
9. Think creatively and in a non-linear manner.
10. Use capital letters for key points
11. Write down some explanatory notes in lower case
12. Leave lots of space, to highlight things, add information or add questions for the duration of a subject right up until exam time
13. Redo the mind map from memory
14. The trick now is to address all questions you have raised and to keep returning to your mind map with the answers! Questions relating to relationships, implications, alternative approaches, usefulness, clarity, personal experience should all be considered at this stage.

http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/tld/learningskills/mindmap/howto.html