What is the purpose of a semantic map?

A semantic map serves as a graphic organizer that helps to categorize and visually represent information, facilitating connections between concepts and ideas. This tool organizes words or phrases around a central theme, showing how they relate to each other, which enhances understanding and retention of knowledge. By enabling learners to visually map out relationships, a semantic map supports higher-order thinking skills such as analyzing and synthesizing information.

This method contrasts with other functions; it is not specifically about following procedures, making conclusions, or practicing spelling. These other methods may serve distinct educational purposes but do not encapsulate the richness of categorization and relationship mapping that a semantic map provides.