Mapping (a visual system of condensing materials to show relationships and importance) is a strategy for reading which may be used by students in various courses throughout their college experience, or prior to their college experience. Mapping may also be used by individuals, small study groups, or in large groups. Mapping consists of four basic components: a core concept, major points or strands, significant subpoints or strand supports, and support ties or connectors which show the relationships between major points. As part of prereading activities, students use mapping to relate their prior knowledge about the information to be read and raise questions. During reading, students read for the purpose of confirming or modifying their prior knowledge about the major points or concepts. As a post-reading strategy, students use mapping as a means for organizing the information they recall from the passage as well as to identify areas of the passage they may not fully understand. Maps come in a variety of formats, including a basic map for brainstorming, a descriptive map, a sequential map, a "Know, Want-to-Learn, Learned" (K-W-L) worksheet, and a recall diagram. (Sample formats for each type of map discussed are attached.) (Author/RS)