Transcript memorization techniques

MEMORIZATION
TECHNIQUES
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Why Memorize?
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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
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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
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Keyword Method
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The essence of the keyword approach
 In order to remember large amounts of information
 you often only need to memorize is one key word
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Follow these steps
 Read the entire article or explanation
 Then reread
 While rereading look for a single word that summarizes or
denotes the main idea
 Highlight or write this word down
 Develop a list of these keywords
 Either directly memorize the list by frequent recital, or
use one of the techniques described below
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Pegword Method
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Pegwords
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Used to remember short lists of up to ten items,
For lists that must be learned in a particular order
The technique
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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
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Pegword Strengths
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Same pegwords used for different lists
(like 10 different jackets on ten pegs in your closet)
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Pegwords are standard
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Can personalize if desired
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Make sure they are a catch phrase
Memorize pegwords before using them
Pegwords can be developed for numbers greater
than 10
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Pegwords 1-10
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Bun
Shoe
Tree
Door
Hive
Sticks
Heaven
Gate
Vine
Hen
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Pegwords
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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
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When trying to memorize
the list recall the picture
each time
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Pegword Example
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Accidental deaths (in
order)
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Motor vehicle
Falls
Poison
Drowning
Fire
Choking
Firearm
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Pegword Example
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The pegwords develop pictures
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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
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Acronoyms
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An acronym is a word where the letters stand
for the first letter of each item on the list.
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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.
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Acronoyms
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Common geographical acronym is used for the
Great Lakes
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HOMES (acronym)
 Huron
 Ontario
 Michigan
 Erie
 Superior
Need familiarity with the Great Lakes first
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With the first letter you can often guess – esp. on a multiple
choice test
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Acronym Practice
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Roy G. Biv = colors of
the spectrum of visible
light
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Red, orange, yellow,
green, blue, indigo, violet
PASS = name of this
class
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Practical Academic Study
Skills
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Acrostics
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Similar to an acronym but takes the first
letters and makes a sentence
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Take the first letter and then find words to make a
sentence
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Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge = the notes on the
line of a treble clef
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Summary
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Memorization takes work, it is not easy
Use one of the previous techniques to help
you achieve academic success
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Keyword
Pegword
Acronyms
Acrostics
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