Unlock Powerful Thinking with the 8 Essential Thinking Maps

Admittedly a bit embarrassing to admit, this content stems from my notes after reading a primary school thinking skills book, but good thinking methods are valuable at any age. In daily study, work, and life, how can we effectively organize thoughts, express ideas clearly, and deeply understand complex concepts? Thinking methods are crucial for problem solving and knowledge absorption. I have been trying to systematically summarize thinking methods and visualization techniques, and when I discovered the “Eight Thinking Maps,” I realized they could save me exploration time and free up more time for other pursuits. The method is not difficult to grasp, and I appreciate its comprehensiveness and systematic nature.

Tonight we will discuss these useful thinking maps, feel free to schedule.

What Are the Eight Thinking Maps?

The Eight Thinking Maps were proposed by educator David N. Hyerle. Based on cognitive science principles, they divide the thinking process into eight basic types, each corresponding to a specific visual organizer. These maps are simple, easy to understand, and widely used in education, training, team collaboration, and personal reflection.

Below we explore each map with concrete examples.

1. Circle Map

The Circle Map defines or describes a concept, topic, or fact and shows related information.

It consists of a large outer circle surrounding a smaller inner circle; the inner circle holds the central concept, while the outer circle contains related knowledge.

For example, to introduce “Sustainable Development,” place it in the center and surround it with related terms such as “environmental protection,” “green energy,” and “ecological balance.”

2. Bubble Map

The Bubble Map describes the qualities of a concept, object, or individual.

The central bubble holds the subject, and surrounding bubbles contain adjectives or phrases describing it.

To describe a cat, place “Cat” in the center and add bubbles such as “soft fur,” “pointed ears,” and “meows.”

3. Double Bubble Map

The Double Bubble Map compares two or more items, highlighting similarities and differences.

The two central bubbles represent the items; the middle bubbles show common traits, while outer bubbles list unique characteristics.

For example, comparing apples and oranges: the central common bubble might read “contains vitamin C,” while the outer bubbles note “crisp” for apples and “juicy” for oranges.

4. Tree Map

The Tree Map organizes information hierarchically.

The top node is the main category, branching into sub‑categories, which can further branch into more specific items.

For instance, classifying animals: the top node “Animals” splits into “Mammals,” “Birds,” “Reptiles,” each further divided into species.

5. Brace Map

The Brace Map analyzes the parts and sub‑parts of an object.

The left side names the whole object; the right side uses braces to display its components hierarchically.

For example, breaking down a computer: the left side shows “Computer,” and the right side lists “Monitor,” “Keyboard,” “Mouse,” “CPU,” with further sub‑parts of the CPU.

6. Flow Map

The Flow Map outlines a sequence of steps or stages.

The left side names the overall process; the right side shows each step in order.

For example, baking a cake: “Prepare ingredients,” then “Mix ingredients,” “Bake,” and finally “Decorate.”

7. Multi‑Flow Map

The Multi‑Flow Map examines cause‑and‑effect relationships, predicting outcomes or explaining reasons.

The central node is the event or problem; the left side lists causes, and the right side lists effects.

For instance, exploring the consequences of deforestation: the central node “Deforestation,” causes such as “urban expansion” on the left, and effects like “ecosystem imbalance” and “climate change” on the right.

8. Bridge Map

The Bridge Map displays analogical relationships or similarities.

A linking word or phrase (e.g., “like” or “as”) connects two sets of similar concepts or objects.

For example, comparing the heart to a pump: the left side shows “Heart,” the right side “Pump,” and the bridge phrase “pushes blood/water forward.”

The Eight Thinking Maps not only help us learn and work more efficiently but also foster innovative thinking. By using these tools, we can better organize information, analyze problems, and facilitate idea exchange, whether individually or in teams.

— Wang Haihua

Reference:

赵国庆《八大思维图示法》（2015） 北京师范大学出版社

凌笑妮《自律的孩子成学霸：如何激发孩子的学习动力和学习韧性》 北京理工大学出版社