Clustering involves putting your ideas about a topic into graphic form. As you map out the relationships among your ideas, clustering can help you gain a different perspective on a topic. It can also help you generate new ideas.

Bob created the cluster below to explore the topic of helping veterans return to civilian life.

To cluster ideas about a topic, place your main idea, or a general topic that interests you, at the center of a page. Jot down key ideas — such as subcategories, causes and effects, or reasons supporting an argument — around the main idea. Then create clusters of ideas that branch out from the key ideas. In these clusters, list groups of related ideas, evidence, effects, causes, consequences — in short, ideas that are related to your key ideas.