Visual Mapping

Prewriting for a hypertext research project

As you begin working on a hypertext research project, you probably find yourself taking the same steps you do in working on a traditional academic research essay: you look at primary and secondary sources, you use the libraries, databases, and perhaps even conduct first-hand research through fieldwork, interviews, and surveys. However, as you approach the task of taking your notes and transforming them into a formal written product, you may find yourself somewhat confounded by the difference between writing a traditional linear argument (i.e. as you would find in a conventional research paper) and composing a research hypertext.

For this assignment, you will construct a preliminary visual map for your hypertext, using Inspiration (you can download a 30-day free trial from http://www.inspiration.com/) or the graphics program of your choice.

The visual maps of individual students will vary in shape and complexity; however, here are some basic guidelines:

• The visual maps should contain a central or top-level homepage that branches into a clearly definable series of at least three or four major paths (i.e. major sections of your topic). That is, if your topic were Feminism and Cyborgs in the Media, you would have one bubble labelled with that title and then, branching from that central bubble, four different bubbles – one for T4, one for BladeRunner, one for AI and one for the Bionic Woman (if, that is, you planned to structure your argument around these four texts). In doing so, you will create a 1st (Fem & Cyborgs bubble) and 2nd level (the films) of pages.

• After you’ve established your paths, keep branching as much as you can. For your end product, you should have a minimum of 20 bubbles. Remember, each bubble represents a page (sometimes called a “node”).

• Within in each bubble, at a minimum include a sentence or phrase that describes the content of that node/bubble/chunk. You can write more if you like (you can even link to drafts of those nodes if you’re that far along in the process, but that’s in no way required).

• Use color, shape, etc. to help delineate the progression of thought or the relationship between ideas.

• Please note: your visual map will not be as detailed as fully completed site map such as is found on the Internet. However, like any outline, it should be as comprehensive as you can make it at this time.

You will probably find this mode of organization moves you away from a progressive, linear argument, and toward a more dynamic, reader-oriented model. However, your hypertext should nevertheless contain a strong line of interpretation or argument that is developed within each topic or subtopic page.

Unlike a traditional paper, your hypertext probably will have no formal “conclusion.” Do not forget, however, to include a bibliography link – represented in your map by at least one bubble.