MEMORIZATION TECHNIQUES 1 Why Memorize l l l

MEMORIZATION TECHNIQUES 1

Why Memorize? l l l When you know something, it is because you have assimilated a chunk of knowledge If you can retrieve the information stored, you remember it Time and experiences may overlay a memory causing difficulty in retrieval l l In most cases the memory is still there, but is no longer easily returned to Use the following memorization techniques to develop a pattern which is easy to return to 2

Keyword Method l The essence of the keyword approach l In order to remember large amounts of information l you often only need to memorize is one key word l Follow these steps l Read the entire article or explanation l Then reread l While rereading look for a single word that summarizes or denotes the main idea l Highlight or write this word down l Develop a list of these keywords l Either directly memorize the list by frequent recital, or use one of the techniques described below 3

Pegword Method l Pegwords l l l Used to remember short lists of up to ten items, For lists that must be learned in a particular order The technique l l l Utilizes a number such as “one” represented by the pegword “bun” Visualize the item you are trying to memorize in a picture with a bun Once memorized, you would know where the item was in a list because the pegword is linked to a number 4

Pegword Strengths l Same pegwords used for different lists (like 10 different jackets on ten pegs in your closet) l Pegwords are standard l Can personalize if desired l l l Make sure they are a catch phrase Memorize pegwords before using them Pegwords can be developed for numbers greater than 10 5

Pegwords 1 -10 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Bun Shoe Tree Door Hive Sticks Heaven Gate Vine Hen 6

Pegwords l l l The memory is the picture, not the word Picture should be detailed (like a snapshot) Take each item on the list and associate with a pegword l When trying to memorize the list recall the picture each time 7

Pegword Example l Accidental deaths (in order) l l l l Motor vehicle Falls Poison Drowning Fire Choking Firearm 8

Pegword Example l The pegwords develop pictures l l l l The driver eating a hot dog and paying more attention to the bun than the road A person falling over an untied shoe A poison fruit picked off a tree A baby left in a bathtub with the door closed Burning a hive to get the honey An object that sticks in the throat A rifle that sent you to heaven 9

Acronoyms l An acronym is a word where the letters stand for the first letter of each item on the list. l l The list must be of familiar things so the letter will prompt the correct word or item. Acronyms are often used in geography or music class. 10

Acronoyms l Common geographical acronym is used for the Great Lakes l l HOMES (acronym) l Huron l Ontario l Michigan l Erie l Superior Need familiarity with the Great Lakes first l With the first letter you can often guess – esp. on a multiple choice test 11

Acronym Practice l Roy G. Biv = colors of the spectrum of visible light l l Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet PASS = name of this class l Practical Academic Study Skills 12

Acrostics l Similar to an acronym but takes the first letters and makes a sentence l Take the first letter and then find words to make a sentence l Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge = the notes on the line of a treble clef 13

Summary l l Memorization takes work, it is not easy Use one of the previous techniques to help you achieve academic success l l Keyword Pegword Acronyms Acrostics 14

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