Try This! Concept Mapping

Concept mapping

Here is how to create a concept map to help describe the object, to develop a metaphor related to our object, and to define a concept. 

Here are instructions on how to do this.

• Lay out a long sheet of paper, like trace,on the farthest left put the heading: Object 
  •  in this column spend 20-30 minutes thinking of everything you can to describe your object. Be sure to include emotional, historical, use, and other descriptive terms. Here is a list to start you off- everytime that you think that you are done, come up with at least 5 more descriptions.  This should be a long list, after all you chose this object for a reason.  Here are a few examples- by no means should your list be this short
    • how does it look
    • what is its shape
    • what color is it
    • what does it smell like
    • what does it do
    • how does it make you feel
    • why do you like it
    • what don't you like about it
    • why did you choose this object
    • what is its story. 
    • ETC
• Now create a second column, in this column start to list all the things that you can think of that these things also describe.  Each thing that you can think of can cover as few or as many of the descriptive terms.  For instance I may have thought that my object  (a camera for example?) makes me think of fond memories, what other things do that, may be a trip home to see my parents?  My metaphor might start to be "home".  Or my object (key) makes me feel safe - so do the arms of my spouse- an embrace... so my metaphor could be an embrace...
  • Again take your time with this column 20-30 minutes.
  • Once you have a few choices (3-4) figure out what resonates with you and your object.  Now we will find a concept.  Go back to your first list and look at the descriptive terms you used specifically to get to your metaphor.  (key- makes me feel safe - an embrace)  In this example safety might be my concept!

Ok an example of a concept map is below, if you haven't tried this try it now!