Basic rules for good Concept Mapping

1. Every node contains only a single concept
   (even though it could be formed by two or more words,
    as "main Light Theories" in this c-map)
2. Concepts are not repeated (exceptions: most
   important concepts, as "Light" in this c-map, 
   or concepts that are out of context (as "Physics") 
   or auxiliary (e.g. Scientist))
3. Linking phrases should have verbs (predicates)
4. Linking phrases haven't relevant concepts (same 
    exceptions of point 2.)
5. Concepts having higher rank must to be placed 
    above subordinated concepts.
6. Every proposition (concept - link phrase - concept) 
   should be self- coherent, i.e. every node should be 
   a starting point to read the c-map meaningfully.
7. Every concept shouldn't have more than four 
    sub-concepts linked.
8. Every good c-mapping should proceed to satisfy a 
   pre-extablished "Focus Question" (as "How did theories 
   about light were developed", here) 
9. After a preliminary map is constructed, cross-links 
   should be sought to show relationships between the 
   sub-domains in the map.
10. Fixing relationships between different domains in the
     map could require some deep re-arrangement of part 
    of the already constructed c-map.


(A. Tifi, 2006)