In the last post, we talked about how you can use your strengths to get the most out of your vocabulary study, and make the connections in your brain that will promote retention and recall, so that the time you spend studying is put to its best use. Making connections is an important part of vocabulary study – words are connected to each other, by meaning, spelling, grammatical usage, and origin, and the more connections you make, the better you’ll learn.

The concept of “mind-mapping,” or using a graphical structure to diagram, organize, and outline concepts while encouraging creativity, was popularized in the 1970s by Tony Buzan, world-renowned author and educator, and is a common tool used today in business to help teams make connections and see new possibilities by providing a focus for their brainstorming sessions.

You can use the same techniques to help you focus on your vocabulary study. This will be particularly useful if you’re a visual learner, but helpful in any case, because the acts of thinking, drawing, and viewing your map will intensify the connections you’re making in your brain, as you create the connections between the words.

Start by writing the word you’re focused on in the middle of a piece of paper, then let your mind run free. What are the ideas and images that come to you when you think about the word? Think about synonyms to the word, and antonyms. Write down each of the words or concepts that comes to mind and draw a line between the main word and the “satellite” words. Then think of more words related to those satellite words, and continue the process. In the end, you’ll have a web of words on the page. Some of the ones on the outer edges of the paper might not seem even remotely related to the main word, but you’ll be able to follow the connections back into the center every time.

Like a spider creates a web to trap insects, your web of words will help you capture ideas and wrap them up in your brain. Ultimate Vocabulary’s software uses this technique with its Word Discover component, giving you instant maps for thousands of words, with click-through capabilities so that you can explore the universe of words in multiple dimensions.

Using Ultimate Vocabulary's Word Discover Feature