Draw a circle to represent the central issue or topic.

 

 

 

 

 

	Select a topic and place it in the circle.

 

 

 

 

 

	Decide how you would like the related topics to be represented (hierarchy, spider, systems).

 

 

 

 

 

	Identify related topics and place these topics in the relational circles.

 

 

 

 

 

	Look at the concept map and decide which issues you would like to pursue.

 

 

 

 

 

	Combine the main topic and one of the relational topics.

 

 

 

 

 

	Use the concept map to define a subtopic for the relational topic you chose.

 

 

 

 

 

	Use the main topic, the relational topic, and the subtopic as your search terms. Think of synonyms for your terms.