In Part 1, you learned about the basic node types: Wonder (questions), Claim (statements), and Bit (quick thoughts). Now let’s explore the advanced node types that help you ground your thinking, synthesize ideas, and express yourself visually.
Ground Nodes: Adding Evidence
Ground nodes are for evidence, sources, and supporting data. They help you anchor your claims and ideas in concrete facts.
When to Use Ground Nodes
Use a Ground node when you want to:
- Cite a source or reference
- Add factual evidence to support a claim
- Include data, statistics, or observations
- Quote an expert or authority
The type picker showing Ground in the advanced section
Connecting Ground to Claims
Ground nodes are most powerful when connected to Claims they support.
Building on a Claim with a Ground node. This shows that your evidence supports your statement.
Tip: Think of Ground nodes as the “foundation” of your thinking. Good arguments are built on solid evidence.
Synthesis Nodes: Rising Above
Synthesis nodes represent higher-level insights that emerge from combining multiple ideas. They’re for “rising above” – seeing patterns and connections that weren’t obvious before.
When to Use Synthesis Nodes
Use a Synthesis node when you:
- Combine multiple ideas into a new insight
- Identify a pattern across several thoughts
- Draw a conclusion from your exploration
- Create a summary that captures the essence of related ideas
Selecting Synthesis from the type picker
Tip: Connect the ideas it synthesizes to your Synthesis node. This creates a visual structure showing how higher-level understanding builds on foundational ideas.
The “Rise Above” Concept
In knowledge building, “rising above” means moving beyond individual ideas to see deeper patterns. Synthesis nodes help you:
- Move from specific examples to general principles
- Combine different perspectives into integrated understanding
- Create new knowledge that’s more than the sum of its parts
Tip: A powerful way to create syntheses is through Thinking Lab (an intermediate feature) that brings multiple ideas together to be worked on.
Draw Nodes: Visual Thinking
Draw nodes let you sketch diagrams, doodles, and visual representations. Sometimes a picture expresses what words cannot.
When to Use Draw Nodes
Use a Draw node when you want to:
- Sketch a diagram or flowchart
- Draw a concept map or visual relationship
- Create a quick illustration of an idea
- Express something that’s hard to put into words
The Drawing Editor
When you create a Draw node, the drawing editor opens automatically. This full-screen editor gives you access to all drawing tools.
The drawing editor
Drawing Tools
The drawing editor provides several tools:
- Select - Move and resize elements
- Hand - Pan around the canvas
- Pencil - Freehand drawing
- Eraser - Remove strokes
- Arrow - Draw arrows and connectors
- Text - Add labels and annotations
- Shapes - Rectangles, circles, and more
You can also choose colors and stroke sizes from the toolbar on the right.
Reopening the Editor
To edit an existing Draw node, simply double-click on it to reopen the drawing editor. Your previous work will be preserved.
When you’re done drawing, click Save or press Escape. Your drawing is saved and shown as a preview thumbnail in the node.
Tip: Draw nodes are great for explaining processes, showing relationships visually, or just doodling to spark creativity.
Combining Node Types
The real power of Wonderbits comes from combining different node types. A complete line of thinking might include:
- A Wonder that poses the question
- Several Claims that explore possible answers
- Ground nodes that provide evidence
- Draw nodes that illustrate concepts
- A Synthesis that captures the insight
Each node type serves a purpose in building understanding. Use them together to create rich, well-supported arguments and insights.
Recap
In this section, you learned about three advanced node types:
- Ground Nodes - For evidence, sources, and supporting data that anchor your claims
- Synthesis Nodes - For higher-level insights that “rise above” by combining multiple ideas
- Draw Nodes - For visual thinking, sketches, and diagrams
Next, you’ll learn about organizing your ideas using clusters, pages, and views.