Set 1: Grouping

This set introduces the grouping map, a tool that can help you to sort and arrange your ideas. Understanding the basics of grouping is an important step towards argument mapping.

Example

This example demonstrates how to make a Grouping map showing the relationships between a collection of ideas. Here is a collection of ideas, with no particular order or structure:

Organizing the ideas this way helps make much more sense...

Here's how we arrived at this map.

Exercise 1

Now you can try this yourself.

1. Make a grouping map showing the relationships between these ideas:

Click on the image to open it in the editor. Note: editor will open in a new window.

Hints:

• No item can belong to two different groups
• Specific examples like 'Italy' (a country) can't go on the same level as a more general idea 'Asia' (a continent or region).
• You won't need to make a new box for this exercise

2. Check your work against the model.

Exercise 2

We can also use grouping maps to show relationships between statements. Let's try that now.

1. Make a Rationale Grouping Map to show relationships between these statements:

Click on the image to open it in the editor. Note: editor will open in a new window.

Hints:

• Put concrete examples on the lowest level
• Ideas on the lowest level are examples of the ideas one level above them in that branch: they 'unpack' the higher level idea, or help us to understand it in greater depth
• The most general idea belongs at the top level: this is the largest category that contains all the others
• You won't need to add an extra box for this exercise

2. Check your work against the model.

Exercise 3

1. Make a Rationale Grouping Map to show relationships between these statements:

Click on the image to open it in the editor. Note: editor will open in a new window.

Hints:

• Put concrete examples on the lowest level
• Ideas on the lowest level are examples of the ideas one level above them in that branch: they 'unpack' the higher level idea, or help us to understand it in greater depth
• The most general idea belongs at the top level: this is the largest category that contains all the others
• You won't need to add an extra box for this exercise

2. Check your work against the model.

Exercise 4

Sometimes we're missing a box we need for our map. When this happens we need to create a new box, type the name of our missing category into it, and use this new box to fill the gap in our map. Let's try an exercise like that now.

1. Make a Grouping Map showing the relationships between these ideas:

Click on the image to open it in the editor. Note: editor will open in a new window.

Hints:

• No item can belong to two different groups
• You will need to create a new mid-level category box for this exercise
• To crate a new box, click with your left mouse button on the workspace or drag a box from the Building Panel to the workspace.

2. Check your work against the model.

Final

Congratulations, you have finished Set 1.

Optional information for deeper understanding:

• Introduction to Grouping (Rationale Guide)

For more advanced information on grouping principles, see the e-book

• Grouping
• Hierarchical Grouping

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