The Giant Panda Conservation Project Free Essays

In spite of the fact that pandas are profoundly respected and have a generally low number of common predators, they are an imperiled species. People have seriously undermined the panda’s presence additionally with the goal that now there are less than 1,600 of them left in nature. This serene animal with an unmistakable highly contrasting coat is venerated by the world and thought about a national fortune in China (WWF, 2013). We will compose a custom paper test on The Giant Panda Conservation Project or on the other hand any comparable point just for you Request Now The bear additionally is of exceptional significance to the World Wildlife Fund. The panda has been WWF’s logo since its establishing in 1961. This paper will look at the adequacy of, and issues identified with, the monster panda preservation endeavors. The rarest individual from the bear family, pandas live primarily in bamboo woods high in the mountains of western China, where they stay alive as a rule on bamboo. They should eat from 26 to 84 pounds of it consistently. China’s Yangtze Basin locale, which holds the panda’s essential territory, is the geographic and financial heart of this blasting nation. An expanding number of streets and railways are being made all through the woods, which detaches panda populaces and forestalls mating. Timberland demolition additionally decreases pandas’ capacity to get to the bamboo they have to endure. The Chinese government has built up in excess of 50 panda saves. In any case, just around 61 percent of the country’s panda populace is ensured by these stores. With the assistance of preservation associations and different gatherings, they have ensured more than 45 percent of the last uneven areas, approaching more than 6,000 square miles of mountain and woods territory known to be occupied by wild pandas. They have likewise saved hallways of new bamboo for their security from tamed creature brushing, and human obstruction (International, 2013). Chengdu is known for being the old neighborhood of the mammoth panda. In 1987, when it became clear that pandas were genuinely jeopardized in the wild, the Chinese made the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Beginning with only six pandas from the wild, they’ve effectively reproduced in excess of 100 pandas. The work done at Chengdu and other rearing places costs a large number of dollars a year. Specialists accept that of all species on the planet, the monster panda is the one animal groups wherein the most cash is being put resources into to spare. This has lead a few progressives to contend that an excessive amount of is being spent to spare the mammoth panda. â€Å"I think we need to make extreme choices,† British natural life master, Chris Packham, said. â€Å"I imagine that, eventually, we must be realistic just as wistful. You know, we can’t permit our heart to lead our preservation head†¦ and in the event that we channel this much into only one animal varieties, at that point numerous others which could be far superior helped, numerous others species, however networks and biological systems, could be better ensured to the detriment of one feathery, cuddly bear† (Snow, 2013). Packham is in the minority here, however an ever increasing number of researchers are beginning to concur with him. The Chinese government has had a lot of accomplishment in instructing the general population about the eventual fate of the mammoth panda, by setting set up assurance against poaching, and even weapon control for the stores. By instructing general society, an ever increasing number of pandas have been brought to the Research Center for recuperation and clinical consideration because of wounds or ailment. Logging has been restricted in the stores and the bamboo halls. The streets giving access to the stores are additionally being watched to help forestall anybody entering without express power, for the consideration or investigation of the earth or the pandas. In any case, as Packham states, â€Å"Pandas are remarkably costly to continue onward. We burn through a great many beats on essentially this one animal varieties, and barely any others, when we realize that the best thing we could do is care for the world’s biodiversity hotspots with more noteworthy consideration. † His perspective is that without a natural surroundings, there is nothing to work with. His proposal is that we take all the money we spend on pandas and purchase rainforests with it. He understands that it is the normal reaction to need to invest cash and energy in the panda since they are so charming and cuddly. They simply pull at peoples’ heart strings in light of their appearance. The pandas are emblematic of what he alludes to as single-species protection: I. e. , an attention on one creature. This methodology started during the 1970s with Save the Tiger, Save the Panda, Save the Whale, etc, and it is presently outdated. His conviction is that pandas have had an important job in raising the profile of preservation, however maybe ‘had’ is the correct word. Panda traditionalists state that the panda is a lead animal varieties. In any case, we’re likewise saving Chinese backwoods, where there are numerous different species. For whatever length of time that this protection works, Mr. Packham states that he is totally supportive of it. Be that as it may, a few animal categories are more grounded than others. The panda is definitely not a solid types of bear as he would see it. It has gone herbivorous and eats a sort of food that isn’t ll that nutritious, as is ceasing to exist gradually. It is defenseless to different infections and, up to this point, has been practically difficult to raise in imprisonment. This species additionally has an exceptionally constrained region of home, which is diminishing, since the Chinese populace continues discovering approaches to utilize their property. While Mr. Packham’s focuses are legitimate, it appears he overlooks the way that pandas assume a critical job in the bamboo timberlands where they meander by spreading seeds and encouraging development of vegetation. Likewise, in the Yangtze Basin where pandas live, the backwoods are home to natural life, for example, predominate blue sheep, multi-hued fowls and other imperiled species, including the brilliant monkey, and different flying creatures that are not found anyplace else on the planet (WWF, 2013), making the panda a successful banner boat animal categories, which is something that Packham himself expressed merited protecting. One conviction is that huge creatures can be amazingly valuable in the reason for preservation. Littler animals regularly don’t need a major natural surroundings to live in, so in preservation terms, it’s better to endeavor to spare something further up the evolved way of life. By doing this, you are ensuring an a lot bigger zone, which will likewise incorporate the littler creatures. Pandas are a genuine model for the messages you need to put out on living space preservation. We partner Borneo with the orangutans, the southern seas with the blue whale, and the North with polar bears. So it is with China and the panda bears (Snow, 2013). Many venerate the panda bear and their safeguarding is essential to the Chinese culture. Individuals react to their circumstance, which has any kind of effect. References Benedictus, L. (2009). Should pandas be left to confront termination? | Environment | The Guardian. Most recent US news, world news, game and remark from the Guardian | guardiannews.com | The Guardian. Recovered April 27, 2013, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/condition/2009/sep/23/panda-elimination chris-packham International, C. (2013). Dangers to Pandas. Protection International. Recovered April 28, 2013, from http://www.conservation.org/learn/biodiversity/species/profiles/pandas/pandas/review/Pages/threats.aspx Snow, K. (2013). Are mammoth pandas worth sparing? †Rock Center with Brian Williams. Rock Center with Brian Williams. Step by step instructions to refer to The Giant Panda Conservation Project, Papers

Gay marriages in colorado Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Gay relationships in colorado - Assignment Example Notwithstanding, about a month prior, news was coursing wherever concerning the Colorado senate’s section of a bill. The Colorado Civil Unions Act was to furnish same sex couples common associations with legitimate rights. These rights incorporate the appropriate for gays and lesbians to settle on clinical choices concerning their accomplices and option to get representative advantages as straight individuals do. Gay relationships have picked up acknowledgment in Colorado and the world everywhere with the headway of gay associations. It has gotten worthy to the point that there are wedding organizers for gay relationships. Indeed, even the houses of worship are recognizing gay relationships and some like the First Presbyterian Church are thinking about administering gay relationships. The point is, be that as it may, in any case questionable and exceptionally discussed in light of the fact that not every person has grasped the gay way of life. A model is the Colorado Springs, which is an individual from the Presbyterian Church. It is taking steps to pull out of the Presbyterian Church, should the primary church grasp the gay culture and acknowledge gay

Essay Examples on Michelangelo Essay Example

Exposition Examples on Michelangelo Paper first Essay Sample on Michelangelo Michelangelo was conceived in 1475 and kicked the bucket in 1564 he passed on at 89 years old. His complete name was Michelangelo Buonarroti. He was an Italian painter, stone worker, modeler, and artist . Michelangelo believed the male bare to be best subject in craftsmanship, for the most part in light of the fact that at the time men were considered in charge of everything.Even while being a planner he attempted to show humantension through windows or even entryways. Michelangelo adored a test, regardless of whether it be scholarly physical,or imaginative. In painting figures, he picked represents that were hard to draw. He gave his work various implications alomost unrecognizable just to what the observer needed it to be. He was succesful at what he did at this point when he passed on they discovered a lot of his work incomplete as though he had a brain square. Michelangelo was conceived in the little town of Caprese in Tuscany and grew up inFlorence. Florence was the creative foc al point of the early Renaissance. Michelangelo went to a grammer school as a result of the cases his folks needed to nobility.Although his father disliked craftsmanship Michelangelo prefferd it to his school work From 1490 to 1492 Michelangelo livedwith Lorenzo de’ Medici (known as Lorenzo the Magnificent), around then he was the main craftsman of Florence. The Medici house was a gathering place for logicians specialists, and poets.This was an incredible time for michelangelo to examine and watch different craftsmen. Different craftsmen showed michelangelo the craftsmanship and love for composing. Which was Michelangelo’s most significant piece was the Sistine church during the time of 1508 through 1512.Michelangelo was likewise extremely strict. In this way, he communicated his own convictions most obviously in his later work. His later drawings are of christian convictions, for example, the crucifixtion of people.Throughout his vocation Michelangelo interacted with influential men. second Essay Sample on Michelangelo Michelangelo was one of the most popular and fruitful individuals of his time. Michelangelo went to a school set up by Lorenzo the Magnificent in the nurseries of the Palazzo Medici. There he would have approached the Medici assortment of collectibles, just as a specific measure of educational cost from the occupant ace, Bertoldo di Giovanni. Michelangelo was an ace in more than one area.Atfirst, Michelangelo was generally well known for his models, for example, the Pieta, Moses, David, and Pope Julius IIIs tomb.After Lorenzos demise the school separated and Michelangelo would perform casual post-mortems so as to improve his dominance of the human form.The design that made Michelangelos notoriety is the Pietà ¢.The Pieta is a figure with Jesus lying in the lap of Virgin Mary.Michelangelo communicated the passionate, human parts of Mary morning over the body of her dead son.Because of his investigation of the human body the Pieta was incredibly point by point particularly in the musc les and vein! s.When cutting models he accepted that the figures he cut were at that point in the marble and he had tofree them.He later taken a shot at David, which was made out of an imperfect stone and summarized all that he had learned.It represented city pride . It took him four years to, in his own words, free the figure detained in the marble.As well similar to a stone worker, Michelangelo was additionally an exceptional painter.Pope Julius III employed Michelangelo to paint the roof of the Sistine Chapel.The nine scenes of the Sistine Ceiling switch back and forth among enormous and littler rectangular areas that are bolstered by agnostic sibyls and Hebrew prophets. So as to pass on the scriptural stories, Michelangelo utilized his aptitude to romanticize the essential idea of every scene into more than 300 key figures and motions. We will compose a custom article test on Essay Examples on Michelangelo explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom exposition test on Essay Examples on Michelangelo explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on Essay Examples on Michelangelo explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer

Egalitarian Companies Are More Innovative

Talk about the upsides and downsides of the accompanying articulation: â€Å"Egalitarian organizations are increasingly creative. † A populist organization exists with equivalent human rights for all workers, paying little mind to social financial salary, race, root, sexual orientation, strict or political convictions. A great many people see populist as reasonable as it makes a well disposed workplace. a libertarian workplace doesn’t rely upon sets of expectations and customary administration jobs. This permits representatives to work as an increasingly comprehensive work power. it advanced shared obligations among laborers and advances collaboration. A populist workplace doesn’t rely upon expected set of responsibilities and conventional administration jobs to characterize representatives and structure workforce. This permits representatives in an organization to exist without orders and capacity as increasingly comprehensive workforce. Workers may feel progressively valued and contribute thoughts to the company’s development and generally course and operational methodologies. Stars. In associations, chain of importance is something beyond a human inclination, it’s a handy need. The reason for an association is to assemble differing gifts and capacities so as to deliver merchandise and ventures. In the cutting edge world, we have innovation to increase this yield. We have to split assignments, coordinate them with the correct individuals (since not all individuals have equivalent aptitudes), and afterward incorporate them for clients. Someone needs to give the bearing to get this going adequately at each stage and level. This is the place the job of the boss, supervisor, group pioneer, or official comes in. Without this direction and choice capacity, we would have complication. There are many, organizations that have since a long time ago demonstrated accomplishment through their structure. In certain market situations there need severe adherence to principles, necessities, arrangements, and so forth ierarchies can help guarantee top quality is constantly present. ie wellbeing offices. Furthermore, using masters or specialists inside an association or system, is regular. Not every person can do everything. Limits can be increasingly penetrable with the goal that individuals can share data, assets, and thoughts to make the entire undertaking progressively fruitful. Getting this going is rarely simple, yet it can’t be done at all without pioneers who have the position to break the ties among gatherings and people who have various dreams of what ought to be finished. There is no preferable method to do this over through customary progression. Alongside that, it may not be cost, time or quality withstanding to let everybody wander indiscriminately without bearing. The correct mix and parity for any one specific association will rely upon the pace of progress in the business, the capacities of the representatives, and the assets accessible to make a move. The requirement for administration will consistently exist. There will consistently be a requirement for visionaries, individuals who can impact others, and individuals who can execute. Cons. While chains of importance were the supported type of sorting out before, they ought not be the key plan in business. Chains of importance, portrayed by close controls, incorporated dynamic, and obvious sets of expectations, regularly estrange representatives and advance an individualistic work mindset. Customary administration frameworks are progressively a disappearing breed, not, at this point important or pertinent in today’s progressively human-capital-driven working environment. The absence of sets of responsibilities, compliment associations, and adaptable methodology would almost certainly fit better for authoritative conditions that are new, youthful, or quickly developing. With an exceptionally quick pace of progress, compelling sets of responsibilities may keep people away from making a move. Administration is indispensable in driving forward rules that can be followed up on. With visionary methodologies that consider enabled activity, numerous extraordinary things can be accomplished. Recognize three associations that you see as being creative. Association advancement is the effective execution of inventive thoughts in an association. The three associations that I see as being imaginative seem to be; Facebook, Apple and Microsoft. Every one of the three organizations have figured out how to be innovative and continue an upper hand. They have additionally kept up quality and type of their administration and item extra time. Distinguish the advancement and its effect upon every association. Facebook development has pulled in billions of individuals to their site. They have a proceeding with development of intuitive face book correspondence that has made examples of advancement additional time. Facebook has made a market upper hand. Facebook has utilized particular intensity to continue its development and maintain a strategic distance from duplication by contenders. Face book have kept up a steady change by having their individuals sign in for nothing and furthermore by improving the Facebook execution as a prevailing site. Facebook is an informal communication administration and site. As of January 2012, Facebook had in excess of 800 million dynamic clients. Clients must enroll before utilizing the site, after which they may make an individual profile, include different clients as companions, and trade messages, including programmed warnings when they update their profile. Moreover, clients may join basic intrigue client gatherings, sorted out by working environment, school or school, or different qualities, and classify their companions into records, for example, â€Å"People from Work† or â€Å"Close Friends†. Face book development as pulled in 7 billion user’s around the world. It has likewise propelled a Spanish rendition. Apple, perhaps the best trailblazer keep on propelling new innovation I. e. IPhones, iPods. And so on after some time Apple keeps on making more up to date economical innovation. Apple Inc. together with auxiliaries offers structures, fabricates, and showcases versatile correspondence and media gadgets, PCs, and compact advanced music players; and sells related programming, administrations, peripherals, organizing arrangements, and outsider computerized content around the world. Its items and administrations incorporate iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, Apple TV, the iOS and Mac OS X working frameworks, iCloud, and different frill and bolster contributions, just as a scope of purchaser and expert programming applications. As of September 24, 2011, the organization had 357 retail locations, remembering 245 stores for the United States and 112 stores globally. Apple Inc. was established in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California. Microsoft Corporation creates, licenses, and supports a scope of programming items and administrations for different processing gadgets around the world. The company’s Windows and Windows Live Division portion offers PC working framework that basically incorporates Windows 7 and Windows Vista working frameworks; Windows live set-up of utilizations and Web administrations; and Microsoft PC equipment items. Its Microsoft’s Server and Tools section gives Windows Server working frameworks, Windows Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Azure, Windows Intune, Windows Embedded, Visual Studio, Silverlight, framework focus items, Microsoft counseling administrations, and item bolster administrations. This section additionally offers undertaking counseling administrations; and preparing and confirmation to designers and data innovation experts, just as assembles independent and programming advancement lifecycle instruments for programming draftsmen, engineers, analyzers, and task chiefs. The organization gives online data and substance through Bing, MSN entrances, and adCenter, just as Atlas online instruments for sponsors. Its Microsoft Business Division section offers Microsoft office; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft SharePoint; Microsoft Lync; Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM; and Microsoft Office Web Apps, just as office 365, n online assistance, offering Microsoft Office, Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync. The company’s has made incredible inovative Entertainment and Devices Division section gives Xbox 360 diversion stage, which incorporates the Xbox 360 gaming and amusement comfort, Kinect for Xbox 360, Xbox 360 computer games, Xbox LIVE, and Xbox 360 embellishments; Mediaro om, an Internet convention TV programming; and Windows Phone that give Microsoft Office and Xbox LIVE usefulness. It showcases and conveys its items and administrations through unique gear makers, merchants, and affiliates, just as through on the web. Microsoft was established in 1975 and is headquartered in Redmond, Washington. (www. mocrosoft. com) William Chuck,(management) 2010 Custom Edition.

A Guide to Storytelling with Mind Maps - Focus

A Guide to Storytelling with Mind Maps - Focus Businesses use storytelling to inspire the people who work for them and sell the next great idea. Teachers use stories to help students learn concepts. Journalists tell important stories that help citizens understand the world around them. And, of course, writers and creators use stories to take us to new worlds through film, books, songs, video games, comics, and more. Being able to tell a great story is an invaluable skill. It’s no secret that storytelling is powerful. In fact, our brains even act differently when we hear a story instead of just hearing facts and figures. But good storytelling is hard work, and it takes a lot of planning and thought. Look no further than these famous writers’ outlining methods for proof. The next time you’re trying to weave the perfect narrative, don’t reach for a notebook or a napkin to scribble notes or start an outline. Instead, try using a mind map to boost creativity and think through or organize the story you want to tell. Why do mind maps work for storytelling? The best stories bring many parts together into one complete vision, just like a puzzle. To craft a story, first you need to have a general idea of the overall picture you’re trying to paint. Mind maps help you do that. “To me, the biggest benefit of a plot mind map is being able to see my story on a single sheet of paper,” says writer Kate Brown. “I can see concurrent events side-by-side, and I can see how each plot element ties into the whole with a glance.” Working from one large map also helps you more easily introduce new ideas, ask the right questions and build up the details of your story so that when you’re ready to start writing, you have what you need. Especially when you’re starting from scratch, you don’t want to be boxed in with a linear format like an outline or text notes. Mind maps give you the freedom to explore all the different paths your story could take and connect story elements in important ways to weave an effective narrative. Methods like outlines also don’t easily allow for visuals like mind maps do. Images or graphics can provide inspiration and act as references as you shape your story. Say you needed to go into detail describing a scene. Having a picture right there in your mind map to look at can help you think up the perfect descriptive language. How to use mind maps for storytelling There are lots of different aspects of storytelling which mind maps can help with. Use mind maps to: Cure writer’s block There’s nothing worse than sitting down to write and coming up empty. The next time you experience a bout of writer’s block, start a mind map. By mapping anything that comes to mind, soon “you’ll have an easy-to-read, visual map that makes the connections between ideas jump off the page,” writes marketing strategist Jamie Lee Wallace. “Now, the blank screen that was freaking you out looks like a fresh canvas and you feel like Monet on one of his more inspired days.” Focus your story Once you have an idea you want to pursue, use mind maps to pin down your story’s key take-aways and hone in on what you most want your audience to walk away thinking, feeling or knowing. “Every storytelling exercise should begin by asking: Who is my audience and what is the message I want to share with them?” says writer and editor Carolyn O’Hara. “For instance, if your team is behaving as if failure is not an option, you might decide to impart the message that failure is actually the grandfather of success. Or if you are trying to convince senior leaders to take a risk by supporting your project, you could convey that most companies are built on taking smart chances.” Whatever that key message is, you can use it as the central idea of your mind map to figure out the best way to impart that lesson. Another way to focus your story if you’ve already drawn a map is to go through the map and highlight the most promising concepts or ideas of your narrative. You might end up stripping out ideas that don’t get highlighted or making new maps that focus on just those key items you’ve identified. Establish important connections You can easily reinforce crucial relationships between characters, scenes and plot points using arrows. This helps to add context and think through meaningful connections you might want to emphasize when you start writing. For example, a mind map might help you realize that two characters share the same values or uncover connections between a character’s past and his or her actions. Spot the gaps We all know that one person who loves to point out plot holes in movies. And plot holes can keep even the most experienced writers up at night. Mind maps make it easy to spot unfinished plot points or dangling threads in your story. “Since a mind map is not linear, blank spaces are not only forgivable, they become compelling reasons to think more about the story youre developing,” writes Paul Donovan Campos. If you’re a business storyteller, this can be really useful when telling your brand story because the map can help you anticipate where your audience might be skeptical or have questions. Add layers and context Mind maps help add layers to a linear plot, and while you work on your map, you’ll likely spot natural subplots and develop context around your story. You’ll be able to better understand how your story fits into the bigger picture through mapping it. For example, if you’re telling a story about leadership to your company, a mind map can help you understand how to frame that story in the context of your company’s mission and values. If you’re creating a whole new world with your story (think Harry Potter or Game of Thrones) mind maps can help you create a world that seems real. And with a mind mapping tool like MindMeister, you’ll never run out of room like you would on paper, so you have the freedom to go deep into the details. Write realistic characters Mind maps can also help you write characters who are true to life. Through mind maps, you can freely explore your characters’ communication styles, history, appearance, relationships, defects, and ambitions. Then when you’re writing, you can reference your character mind maps to think through what they would do or say in a certain situation. Begin and end your story When I’m writing an article or blog post, I always leave the intro and conclusion for last. Introducing a story and wrapping it up can be the toughest part of writing. Mind maps give you the big-picture view of your story, making it easy to spot natural points where your narrative could start and finish. And because of their free structure, you can more easily reorganize elements in a mind map to make sure your story flows well from beginning to end. Practice and present If you’re telling your story in front of a live audience, practice can help you become a lot more comfortable. Whether you’re pitching a product, trying to motivate a crowd or drive an audience to action, practicing your presentation with MindMeisters  presentation mode can help you calm your nerves and boost your confidence in your storytelling abilities. “There’s a misperception that great storytellers can whip these yarns out of their hats and deliver with aplomb,” writes Kristi Hedges, author of Power of Presence: Unlock Your Potential to Influence and Engage Others. “The best stories are well-told stories â€" because they get better with each telling.” Maybe you’re a CEO hoping to energize your employees with a story at your next company gathering, or perhaps you’re aiming to become the next J.K Rowling. No matter what kind of tale you’re telling, mind maps are a useful tool that can help you go from a blank page to a complete story that improves understanding, entertains or inspires. Get Started with Mind Mapping! Try MindMeister If you liked this article you might also enjoy:  How to Create High-Value Blog Content with MindMeister and Your Kindle. A Guide to Storytelling with Mind Maps - Focus Businesses use storytelling to inspire the people who work for them and sell the next great idea. Teachers use stories to help students learn concepts. Journalists tell important stories that help citizens understand the world around them. And, of course, writers and creators use stories to take us to new worlds through film, books, songs, video games, comics, and more. Being able to tell a great story is an invaluable skill. It’s no secret that storytelling is powerful. In fact, our brains even act differently when we hear a story instead of just hearing facts and figures. But good storytelling is hard work, and it takes a lot of planning and thought. Look no further than these famous writers’ outlining methods for proof. The next time you’re trying to weave the perfect narrative, don’t reach for a notebook or a napkin to scribble notes or start an outline. Instead, try using a mind map to boost creativity and think through or organize the story you want to tell. Why do mind maps work for storytelling? The best stories bring many parts together into one complete vision, just like a puzzle. To craft a story, first you need to have a general idea of the overall picture you’re trying to paint. Mind maps help you do that. “To me, the biggest benefit of a plot mind map is being able to see my story on a single sheet of paper,” says writer Kate Brown. “I can see concurrent events side-by-side, and I can see how each plot element ties into the whole with a glance.” Working from one large map also helps you more easily introduce new ideas, ask the right questions and build up the details of your story so that when you’re ready to start writing, you have what you need. Especially when you’re starting from scratch, you don’t want to be boxed in with a linear format like an outline or text notes. Mind maps give you the freedom to explore all the different paths your story could take and connect story elements in important ways to weave an effective narrative. Methods like outlines also don’t easily allow for visuals like mind maps do. Images or graphics can provide inspiration and act as references as you shape your story. Say you needed to go into detail describing a scene. Having a picture right there in your mind map to look at can help you think up the perfect descriptive language. How to use mind maps for storytelling There are lots of different aspects of storytelling which mind maps can help with. Use mind maps to: Cure writer’s block There’s nothing worse than sitting down to write and coming up empty. The next time you experience a bout of writer’s block, start a mind map. By mapping anything that comes to mind, soon “you’ll have an easy-to-read, visual map that makes the connections between ideas jump off the page,” writes marketing strategist Jamie Lee Wallace. “Now, the blank screen that was freaking you out looks like a fresh canvas and you feel like Monet on one of his more inspired days.” Focus your story Once you have an idea you want to pursue, use mind maps to pin down your story’s key take-aways and hone in on what you most want your audience to walk away thinking, feeling or knowing. “Every storytelling exercise should begin by asking: Who is my audience and what is the message I want to share with them?” says writer and editor Carolyn O’Hara. “For instance, if your team is behaving as if failure is not an option, you might decide to impart the message that failure is actually the grandfather of success. Or if you are trying to convince senior leaders to take a risk by supporting your project, you could convey that most companies are built on taking smart chances.” Whatever that key message is, you can use it as the central idea of your mind map to figure out the best way to impart that lesson. Another way to focus your story if you’ve already drawn a map is to go through the map and highlight the most promising concepts or ideas of your narrative. You might end up stripping out ideas that don’t get highlighted or making new maps that focus on just those key items you’ve identified. Establish important connections You can easily reinforce crucial relationships between characters, scenes and plot points using arrows. This helps to add context and think through meaningful connections you might want to emphasize when you start writing. For example, a mind map might help you realize that two characters share the same values or uncover connections between a character’s past and his or her actions. Spot the gaps We all know that one person who loves to point out plot holes in movies. And plot holes can keep even the most experienced writers up at night. Mind maps make it easy to spot unfinished plot points or dangling threads in your story. “Since a mind map is not linear, blank spaces are not only forgivable, they become compelling reasons to think more about the story youre developing,” writes Paul Donovan Campos. If you’re a business storyteller, this can be really useful when telling your brand story because the map can help you anticipate where your audience might be skeptical or have questions. Add layers and context Mind maps help add layers to a linear plot, and while you work on your map, you’ll likely spot natural subplots and develop context around your story. You’ll be able to better understand how your story fits into the bigger picture through mapping it. For example, if you’re telling a story about leadership to your company, a mind map can help you understand how to frame that story in the context of your company’s mission and values. If you’re creating a whole new world with your story (think Harry Potter or Game of Thrones) mind maps can help you create a world that seems real. And with a mind mapping tool like MindMeister, you’ll never run out of room like you would on paper, so you have the freedom to go deep into the details. Write realistic characters Mind maps can also help you write characters who are true to life. Through mind maps, you can freely explore your characters’ communication styles, history, appearance, relationships, defects, and ambitions. Then when you’re writing, you can reference your character mind maps to think through what they would do or say in a certain situation. Begin and end your story When I’m writing an article or blog post, I always leave the intro and conclusion for last. Introducing a story and wrapping it up can be the toughest part of writing. Mind maps give you the big-picture view of your story, making it easy to spot natural points where your narrative could start and finish. And because of their free structure, you can more easily reorganize elements in a mind map to make sure your story flows well from beginning to end. Practice and present If you’re telling your story in front of a live audience, practice can help you become a lot more comfortable. Whether you’re pitching a product, trying to motivate a crowd or drive an audience to action, practicing your presentation with MindMeisters  presentation mode can help you calm your nerves and boost your confidence in your storytelling abilities. “There’s a misperception that great storytellers can whip these yarns out of their hats and deliver with aplomb,” writes Kristi Hedges, author of Power of Presence: Unlock Your Potential to Influence and Engage Others. “The best stories are well-told stories â€" because they get better with each telling.” Maybe you’re a CEO hoping to energize your employees with a story at your next company gathering, or perhaps you’re aiming to become the next J.K Rowling. No matter what kind of tale you’re telling, mind maps are a useful tool that can help you go from a blank page to a complete story that improves understanding, entertains or inspires. Get Started with Mind Mapping! Try MindMeister If you liked this article you might also enjoy:  How to Create High-Value Blog Content with MindMeister and Your Kindle.