Ladder diagram

The Ladder Diagram is an organizing tool. It allows you to add as many major ideas or concepts as you need and as much detail as you wish. Just keep adding lines remembering that each line must indicate a relationship to the attached line.

This diagram allows you to see the various relationships between and among ideas.

If you simply write these ideas in a linear format, you often cannot add new thoughts and you likely will not see the various relationships between and among ideas.

See ladder diagram schematic.

Steps

1. Place your paper in a landscape position.

2. Decide on the major categories.

3. Add lines to each category for details. Limit each detail to one word or one statement. Each detail probably will trigger thoughts that are more complete.

4. It is possible to continue the ladder pattern by adding related details.

This diagram assists you in organizing what you already know and what you have learned. It allows you to see the various relationships between and among ideas. It assists you in organizing your thoughts.

This sample is used in 3D — Forest Floor