Here is an image of an attempt at a cluster for the word 'first'. I figured for my first blogged cluster I should use the word first just like I did with the freewriting! As you can see the cluster was made using VYM which I find a very handy tool indeed for making clusters. As always, I welcome any constructive criticism but please appreciate that a cluster is unique to the creator so try to be gentle!
Neil, a great cluster and this software looks brilliant. The way you've linked first to different situations has made me realise where I've been going wrong with mine - too random. Am going to unashamedly nick your style!!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you like it Sally!
ReplyDeleteThe software is awesome! I have barely scratched the surface with it, but figured rather than make fancy mind maps, the idea is to make clusters faster, so I keep it nice and simple! - I posted links to the program if you want to download it yourself, or just Google for it should work.
I hope that I am doing clusters right. From the book it shows examples of a word association type thing each line following a different thread, so that is what I attempt to do. I noticed that as I progressed I get faster at it, just letting the words come out as they want!
Again, glad you like it!
If anything could get me to do another cluster - I've already declared them dead and buried in my training schedule - it would be a format like this one. It's keyboards all the way with me. Like your word links too - the ones I've done so far aren't throwing up the Eureka word, probably because I'm doing them by hand which I find laborious.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed MikeRags! I am all for the computer revolution, and I hate the chicken scratch that is my handwriting. It seems like I get cramp after 5 words now whilst using a pen!
ReplyDeleteIf you Google a bit you can find the windows install for VYM, or a similar cluster program like it. I think there is one called MindMap and a few others besides, but I like the simplicity of vym - it works ergo it's fine!
I am glad that you like my word links. I was unsure when I started on clustering if I was doing it right, but then I realised that there is NO right or wrong.. They are a personal tool for helping get ideas and thought progressed and established. Anything goes with them and that makes it much more useful! When combining a cluster with a follow up freewrite you can get some nice funky stuff happening!