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See the main idea and its supporting details in one mind map

Upload a chapter, article, or lecture notes. DeckOwl builds a mind map with the central claim at the center and the evidence branching out, so you can explore it and edit it as you go.

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

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How a main idea mind map helps with reading

Students often reach for a main idea mind map when a chapter runs long and the central point gets buried under examples. Laying the claim out visually makes it easier to tell what the author is arguing apart from what the author is only illustrating.

Put the central claim in one short sentence at the center.
Limit each branch to one supporting detail or example.
Mark any point the author repeats, since repetition often signals importance.
Compare the finished map with the passage's first and last paragraphs.

Example main idea mind map branches from science and history

Main idea: Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energyChlorophyll absorbs light · Water is split to release oxygen · Energy is stored as glucose

Main idea: Supply rises when prices riseHigher prices give producers an incentive to sell more · More firms may enter the market · Quantity supplied grows along the supply curve

Main idea: The Great Depression deepened because banks failed in wavesBank runs wiped out depositor savings · Credit contracted across the economy · Falling demand cut jobs and output

Main idea: The narrator changes after a personal lossEarly scenes show guarded behavior · The loss forces a reckoning · Final choices reflect new priorities

Main idea: Cells maintain homeostasis through feedback controlSensors detect a change in the internal environment · Control centers compare it to a set point · Effectors correct the deviation

Generate the full set

Central claim at the center

The map puts the idea the text is built around in the middle, so the structure of the reading is visible at a glance.

Supporting details on branches

Examples, reasons, and data sit on the branches beneath each point, making it easy to see what backs up the main idea.

Editable and explorable

Rename, move, or delete any node, then expand or collapse branches to focus on one section at a time.

How it works

Upload your reading

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or a photo of a page. Photos are read with text recognition.

Review the generated map

Check the central idea and branches against the source. Edit any node that needs sharper wording.

Study from the map

Explore the branches to quiz yourself on each supporting point, or turn the map into flashcards.

Start by asking what the whole passage is mostly about, then check whether each paragraph supports that claim. Paragraphs that add a new topic usually belong on a separate branch, not under the main idea.

A map is only useful if it matches the text, so compare it against the original pages before you rely on it. Once it checks out, you can quiz yourself by covering the center and trying to rebuild the main idea from the branches.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I find the main idea of a paragraph?

Ask what the paragraph is mostly about, then check whether the other sentences support that claim. The claim that the rest of the paragraph explains is usually the main idea.

How many supporting details should a main idea map have?

Three to five branches is a practical range for most paragraphs. If you need many more, the central claim is probably too broad and should be narrowed.

Can I export my mind map?

Exports are a paid feature. The Free plan lets you explore and edit maps in the browser, while Plus adds PDF export and other formats.

Do I need a credit card to start?

No. You can start on the Free plan, which includes 3 generations per month, without a credit card. Students with a school email get 40% off paid plans.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.