Robert Sperry (Nobel price winner in 1981) proposed the theory that the different brain hemispheres of the human brain do various tasks and Maclean pointed out that the cerebral system, limbic system and the brain stem do different thinking – reason, emotions, autonomic functions ( Herrmann, 1998)。 

  Then, because these two theories have the same neural cortices (areas shown to be involved in thinking), then Herrmann combined the Sperry left – right model and Maclean cerebral-limbic model together into the whole-brain model with four “thinking” areas of the brain。 In the whole brain model, the A & D quadrants represents cerebral thinking and B & C represents emotional or visceral thinking part (picture1)。 Descriptors used by Sperry and others to describe left and right-brain thinking are respectively “A” – “B” and “C” – “D” (De Ridder & Wilcox, 1999 and Herrmann, 1998)。

  Since the mind mapping can help learners to make a good use of words, images, color and direct association。etc,which is suitable for the development of the whole brain thinking。 It could be believed to be useful in English writing teaching。文献综述

      B) The Theory of Multiple Intelligence

  Dr。 Howard Gardener first put forward the theory of Multiple Intelligence in his book, Frames of Mind in 1983。 This theory demonstrates that intelligence is not one unit that can be easily measured by IQ tests。 

  Instead, it claims that there are at least eight types of intelligence existing in a human。 They are musical intelligence, visual intelligence, verbal intelligence, logical intelligence, bodily intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence and naturalistic intelligence (Gardner, 1999)。

  The multiple intelligence(MI) theory could support the application of mind mapping on middle school students because different kinds of intelligence could be improved through the blended use of images, colors, numbers,etc。 And this theory also meets the global trend of making students the center of the educational systems。 

  Taking students’ needs, learning styles, strengths and weakness into consideration, teachers could help students to make their own mind maps and express their own ideas。 The develop degree of students differs from one to one, because each mind map they make is unique。 

  In a word, the recognition of the multiple intelligence and the application of the mind maps can improve students’ writing abilities because students could know more about themselves and students would be more confident and less confused in writing。

     C) The Theory of Radiant Thinking

  The theory of radiant thinking, which is also called the theory of pergent thinking, refers to the ability to generate many perse ideas in various paths (e。g。 Runco, 2008)。 It would correspond to defocused attention as deviating to some degree from an accurate focus。 

  It is helpful to the development of students’ abilities of creativity。 Since mind mapping is a radiant and hierarchical structure to grasp a lot of information。。 So the theory of radiant thinking also could support the application of mind mapping。