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CogniGuide

Story Mind Map: A Guide to Plotting Your Story

See how a story breaks into characters, plot stages and themes, then generate your own map from a draft, outline or notes.

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CogniGuide at a glance

What you get
Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
Exports
Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
Price
Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
Sign-up
A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
What you can upload
PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.

How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify

Why Map Your Story Visually

A visual map shows how characters, events and themes connect before you write the full draft.

Build from your own notes

Upload a PDF, Word file, text file or image of your outline, or just type your story idea.

Clear story structure

Branches separate setting, characters, conflict, plot stages and themes so gaps are easy to spot.

Expand and test ideas

Expand any branch with AI, edit nodes, then turn the map into a quiz or export it as PNG or PDF.

How to Build a Story Mind Map

Start with your idea or draft, let AI organize it, then refine the branches as you write.

  1. 1

    Add your material

    Upload your outline, draft or notes, or type a one-line story idea.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The AI groups your story into characters, setting, plot and themes.

  3. 3

    Refine and expand

    Expand weak branches, edit nodes and export the map to guide your writing.

Story Mind Map Structure and Uses

A mind map for a story is a visual outline that places the central idea in the middle and branches out into the parts that shape it. Most stories divide into characters, setting, plot, conflict and theme. Writers use the map to see how these elements connect before drafting, so each scene has a clear purpose and each character has a clear arc.

  • Characters: protagonist, antagonist, supporting roles and their goals
  • Setting: time, place and the rules of the world
  • Plot stages: opening, rising action, climax and resolution
  • Conflict: the internal and external obstacles driving the story
  • Themes: the central messages and how scenes reflect them

Use the map to check pacing, find missing scenes and plan revisions. CogniGuide can turn your own notes into a personalized story map in minutes.

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Story Mind Map Questions

Answers on story mapping and building your own map.

What should a story mind map include?

Most maps include the main characters and their goals, the setting, the plot stages from opening to resolution, the central conflict, and the themes the story explores. Each of these becomes a main branch.

How is a story map different from an outline?

An outline lists events in order. A story map shows relationships, so you can see how a character's choices link to conflict, plot turns and theme.

Which files can I use to build a story map with CogniGuide?

You can upload PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, Markdown or image files, or simply type a topic or story idea.

Is CogniGuide free to use for story maps?

Yes, there is a free plan with 5 creations a week and no payment needed. You can also turn your finished map into a quiz.