The technical name for the kind of structure that argument maps have is hi-tree see this paper for explanation, and a description of layout algorithms for hi-trees. The reality is that hierarchical argument maps are not actually simple tree structures. If you want to create a really complex map, you can set a large custom size for your Word page or your PowerPoint slide, and add as many boxes as you like.Īny experienced argument mapper reading this will no doubt be thinking something like:įine, but what about multi-premise arguments (a.k.a. The SmartArt graphic can be resized by simple dragging operations. The SmartArt algorithm is “space filling” so that no matter how many nodes there are in the argument, the map will fit into whatever space you specify for the SmartArt graphic. This is only visible when the SmartArt graphic is selected.Īs you’d expect, arguments can be nested indefinitely deeply: I’ve included in this image the editing panel at left. Here’s the same map (minus the labels) in Table Hierarchy format: Overall, however, it is a pretty classy diagram, and it only takes a minute or two to create.Ī neat feature of SmartArt is you can easily change the template while keeping the content the same. For example, the lines joining the arguments to the contention really should be separate arrows.
![how to create a custom map in mytune how to create a custom map in mytune](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GMaps-Custom-Marker-Options.png)
A little adjusting using the usual formatting commands results in a map with a more standard colouring:
![how to create a custom map in mytune how to create a custom map in mytune](https://support.content.office.net/en-us/media/0d864bdf-ac6e-4bbe-aada-f041deb4ed52.png)
Here’s a very simple argument map in Labeled Hierarchy format:
![how to create a custom map in mytune how to create a custom map in mytune](https://i.postimg.cc/bwh4ngc8/Map1_Twielight.png)
(Tip: don’t bother with the one called Hierachy.) The templates I find work best are Labeled Hierarchy and Table Hierarchy. Some of the SmartArt templates are explicitly classified as “Hierarchy”: This is convenient because all SmartArt templates are based on hierarchies, represented in editing mode as indented lists. In what follows I’ll assume that argument maps are (basically see below) hierarchies or tree structures. If you’re not familiar with SmartArt there are introductory videos on Youtube, such as this one. It is certainly not ideal, but it may be the best – or rather, the least bad – option currently available. As described below, if you pick the right template and persevere a little bit, you’ll find that SmartArt can do a reasonable job. However for most of that time I’d written it off as being superficially attractive but too limited and frustrating to use. Of course I’d known about SmartArt, and the possibility of using it for argument mapping, for years.
![how to create a custom map in mytune how to create a custom map in mytune](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0947/8790/files/EQT_Stages_2019_GTI.png)
Most would be surprised to know that they have built in a passable facility for quickly creating simple argument maps. Nearly everyone already has, or has access to, Word and PowerPoint, and many use them almost everyday. Integrate seamlessly with other tools already being usedĪfter much searching around over the years, my current view is that the tool best meeting these conditions is Microsoft SmartArt.Not require creating an account on (yet another) website.Not require a specific operating system (Windows, Mac) or browser.Similarly, instructors in critical thinking or informal logic would often like to point their beginner students to a suitable tool for basic argument diagramming.
#How to create a custom map in mytune software
Many people who are new to argument mapping look for a convenient software tool.