Build argument maps with AI using draw.io’s Smart Template

Develop your critical thinking skills with argument maps

As the name suggests, argument maps, or argument diagrams, visually represent the structure of an argument. They are typically composed of:

• A contention or conclusion;
• Premises or reasons supporting the contention;
• Arguments against the contention;
• Rebuttals that directly counter or argue against a previous argument.

Often used in teaching and applying critical thinking, as well as in the law profession, argument maps help outline the logical structure of an argument. The process of creating an argument map helps uncover biases and unstated assumptions, as well as visually enabling you to see the number of arguments for and against your contention.

In this blogpost, we’ll be looking at how to build argument maps with draw.io, with the help of Smart Templates to quickly generate the basic structure of your argument map using AI.

To build your argument map:

1. In a Confluence page, start typing “/draw” and select draw.io Diagram.

2. In the template manager, locate Smart Template in the left side menu.

3. Next, type in the parameters you require. For this example, I used the prompt, “argument map with a main premise, 5 reasons for and 4 reasons against”.

4. If you are happy with the diagram preview, click Create to open the diagram in the draw.io editor. If you want another result, click Generate again.

5. You can even use AI to come up with the arguments themselves! The following diagram was created with Smart Template, using the input: “The Beatles is the greatest band of all time”.

(Tip: right-click on the image below and select Open Image in New Tab, to preview a larger version and zoom in.)

6. By default, the connectors will flow from the starting shape outwards, but argument maps tend to show the connectors all leading towards the contention. To quickly change the flow of the connectors so that they all lead to the overarching contention, hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) + Shift + E to select all connectors, then head to the Arrange tab in the right side menu and click “Reverse“.

7. Double-click on a rectangle shape to edit the text. Check the box, “Word Wrap”, to ensure the text stays inside the shape.

Customize and style your argument map

8. Customize your diagram by changing the rectangles to rounded. You can select all shapes (excluding connectors) using the shortcut Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) + Shift + I, then in the Style menu in the right side menu, click on “Rounded”.

9. Further customize your diagram by adding colors, and changing the font size and type (in this example, the main contention has been given larger font). Simply click on a shape, and select a color using the Style tab in the right side menu. In argument maps, premises tend to be green and arguments in red. Any rebuttals have been added in green.

10. Double-click a connector to add text. This is useful for adding, “because” to your reasons for, and “however” for your arguments against.

11. At this point you could even add additional information to your diagram, for example, below each reason, provide evidence and sources to support your arguments.

Top tips for adding custom images to draw.io

12. To add images to your diagram, simply drag and drop these from where these are stored on your device to the canvas.

13. Use the Crop function in draw.io when you’ve imported an image. This will reduce the blank space around each imported image.

14. In the modal, select Rounded (if your images are circular like mine), and adjust the connection points around the shape. Once you’re happy, click Apply.

15. When importing multiple images with identical size dimensions, either:

• Hold down Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and left click all the images, or,
• Left click on a blank space on the canvas and drag your mouse over all the images you wish to select.

Then, ensure the “Constrain Proportions” box is checked. This will mean once you resize the images, they will all retain the same width and height proportions as you resize them.

16. Drag the images across the canvas to where you would like them to be placed. Below is the finalized diagram.

(Tip: right-click on the image and select Open Image in New Tab, to preview a larger version and to zoom in.)