Home › Mind maps › Templates & Examples › Literature Concept Map Examples

See how a literature concept map breaks down a novel

Upload a novel chapter, essay, or lecture notes and get an editable mind map of characters, themes, and structure you can explore branch by branch.

Create mind maps nowFree · No credit card required

Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

Free · First set needs no signup · Creates mind maps in seconds

How a literature concept map is organized

A useful literature concept map example starts with one central idea, such as a theme or a question the text raises, and then branches into characters, setting, structure, and key passages that support it. Seeing that layout on a real text helps you notice how the parts connect instead of treating each chapter as a separate summary.

Start with a single central idea, then add no more than five or six main branches.
Attach a quotation or page reference to each sub-point so you can check it later.
Link related branches, such as a character arc and the theme it illustrates.
Redraw the map after a second reading to see which branches you changed your mind about.

Example literature concept map branches

CharacterProtagonist's goal · Key relationships · How the character changes · Conflicts with others

SettingTime and place · Social conditions · How setting shapes choices

ThemeCentral idea stated in the text · Evidence from key scenes · Counterargument or ambiguity

Narrative structurePoint of view · Chronology or flashbacks · Turning points · Climax and resolution

Literary devicesImagery and symbolism · Irony · Foreshadowing · Tone

Generate the full set

Editable branches

Rename, move, or add nodes so the map reflects your own reading of the text, not just a generic outline.

Explorable layout

Expand and collapse branches to move from a broad theme down to the specific scenes that support it.

Study from the map

Turn map topics into flashcards and quiz questions on the Free plan, with exports available on Plus.

How it works

Upload your text

Add a PDF, DOCX, plain text notes, or a photo of the pages. Scanned pages are read with text recognition.

Review the generated map

Check the central idea and main branches, then edit anything that doesn't match how you read the work.

Explore and revise

Open branches to see supporting evidence, and return to the map before a discussion or essay draft.

Most strong maps separate what happens from why it matters. A branch about a character's choices can link to a theme branch, and a structural branch like a flashback can point to a scene that changes how the reader understands the conflict. Keeping those links visible makes it easier to write a thesis or answer an essay prompt.

DeckOwl can build a first draft from your own material, then you adjust the branches to match your class discussion or assignment. Your map stays editable, so you can rebuild it after a second reading.

Explore related topics

Brainstorming Concept Map Example

An example brainstorming concept map, plus how to build one from your own notes.

Case Study Concept Map Example

How to map a case study, with five example branches you can adapt.

Biology Concept Map Examples

Five biology concept map examples, plus how to build one from your own notes or PDFs.

Blank Concept Map Example Template

Create a fillable concept map from your own notes, with cell biology branch examples.

Concept Map Example for Cell Biology

Cell biology concept map example, and how to make your own from your notes.

Chemistry Concept Map Examples

Chemistry concept map examples, plus how to build your own from class notes with AI.

Climate Change Concept Map Example

Example climate change mind map branches, plus a way to make one from your own notes.

Design Concept Map Examples

Sample design concept maps, plus a way to make one from your own notes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I map themes in a novel?

Choose one theme you can support with at least three scenes, then list each scene with a short note on how it develops the theme. Add any scene that complicates the idea, since counterexamples make an argument stronger.

What should a literature concept map include?

Include the central idea, the main characters and their goals, the setting and its effect on choices, the narrative structure, and key literary devices like imagery or foreshadowing. Each branch should point to evidence in the text.

Is the mind map generator free to use?

The Free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser. Exports to PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV are part of Plus, which costs $39/year or $7.99/month.

Do I need a credit card to start?

No. You can start on the Free plan without a credit card, and students get 40% off Plus with a school email.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.