Tony Buzan has defined these "rules" for Mind Mapping:

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The Rules of Mind Mapping

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Start in the centre with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colours.
Use images, symbols, codes and dimensions throughout your Mind Map.
Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
Each word/image must be alone and sitting on its own line.
The lines must be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker, organic and flowing, becoming thinner as they radiate out from the centre.
Make the lines the same length as the word/image.
Use colours – your own code – throughout the Mind Map.
Develop your own personal style of Mind Mapping.
Use emphasis and show associations in your Mind Map.
Keep the Mind Map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches.

Attribution: Tony Buzan via Wikipedia

There is an article that is well worth reading about how the rules work out in practical use at the Mind Mapping Wiki.

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Number 8 is the only one that I regard as inviolable!

jennifer at buzan dot com dot au

2007-10-22 20:39:57

Hi,
there is a cool Mind Map on the Laws of Mind Mapping here
http://www.buzan.com.au/learning/mindmapgallery.html

vic at mind-mapping dot org

2007-10-23 03:29:06

Very nice, thank you.
Myself, I really like the one at http://www.buzanworld.com/mindmaps/img/mindmapping.jpg because it includes the branch that is to me all important:

No rules!
Rules
Suggestions ...

Keep up the good work!

Vic

Articles

Visual representation of knowledge

Here are some links to articles on the visual representation of knowledge by Sigmar-Olaf Tergan, an academic leader in the field

An overview of concept mapping

This is a 1997 article by Eric Plotnick, from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology Syracuse NY

Concept maps and web research

For me, web research and concept maps are a good pairing. As I research - I build a map. As I map - I realise new areas that need research.
This papers variously by Arguedas, Cañas, Carnot, Carvalho, Dunn, Eskridge, Gram, Leake, Maguitman, Muldoon and Reichherzer have helped me to understand why, and see other possibilities.

Assessment by concept map

This piece discusses the nature of knowledge, the difficulty in measuring achievement in the three types of domain knowledge, and how concept maps offer one way of judging students' knowledge structure.

Framework for mind mapping

Here is a link to a set of free templates for many types of mind maps. This is good solid stuff, and if you have MindManager, there's no reason not to get it.
But if you don't have MindManager, well, there's still no reason to hold back - go and pick up the MindManager Viewer from MindJet's site. That is also free.