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Turn your essay outline into a mind map you can explore

Sketch the argument before the first paragraph. Upload your draft or notes and get an editable mind map you can click through and rearrange.

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Why a map works before the draft

Knowing how to write a mind map of an essay saves time because you test the argument while it is still cheap to change. A map shows whether each body point actually supports the thesis and whether any branch has no evidence behind it.

  • Put the thesis in the center and keep it to one sentence.
  • Give each body point its own branch with at least one piece of evidence.
  • Add a counterargument branch so your essay answers the strongest objection.
  • Check that every branch links back to the thesis before you start writing.
Example mind map branches for an argument essay
ThesisOne claim you can defend · Stated in the introduction · Tested by every body paragraph
Body paragraphOne main idea · Topic sentence · Evidence with analysis · Link back to the thesis
EvidenceQuotes or data from sources · Cited with page numbers · Explained, not just dropped in
CounterargumentStrongest opposing view · Rebuttal with reasoning · Placed before the conclusion
ConclusionRestates the thesis in new words · Summarizes key points · Ends with a broader implication
Generate the full set

Thesis at the center

Your main claim sits in the middle, so every branch has to connect back to it.

One branch per body point

Each supporting idea gets its own branch with evidence attached, so gaps show up before you write.

Editable and explorable

Drag nodes, add branches, and collapse sections to test your structure before committing to a draft.

How it works

Write the thesis in one sentence

Put your claim at the center of the page. If you cannot state it in one sentence, the map will not hold together.

Add a branch for each body point

List the three to five reasons or sections that prove the thesis, then attach quotes, data, or examples as sub-branches.

Check for a counterargument and a conclusion

Add the strongest opposing view with your rebuttal, then a conclusion branch that restates the thesis in new words.

Start with the thesis in the center, then add one branch per body point. Keep sub-branches for evidence, explanations, and links back to the claim, and leave out anything that does not prove a point. Once the structure holds, turn the map into an outline and draft from it.

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Frequently asked questions

How many branches should a mind map of an essay have?

Most argumentative essays fit in five to seven main branches: the thesis, each body point, a counterargument, and the conclusion. Add sub-branches only for evidence you plan to use.

Should I make the mind map before or after drafting?

Make it before drafting if you are still outlining, and after if you want to check coverage. Mapping first shows gaps in the argument while they are still easy to fix.

Can I export the mind map?

The free plan lets you explore maps in the browser. Exporting files such as PDF or DOCX is a paid feature on the Plus plan, at $99.90 per year or $9.99 per month.

Do I need a credit card to start?

No. You can start on the free plan, which includes 3 generations per month, without adding a credit card.

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Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.