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Mnemonics

The following are examples of techniques you can use to memorize important information.

1. Acronym - an invented combination of letters with each letter acting as a cue to an idea you need to remember. Can be used for remembering information involving key words.
   Example: BRASS is an acronym for how to shoot a rifle. Breath, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze.
   
   
2. Acrostic - an invented sentence where the first letter of each word is a cue to an idea you need to remember. Use for remembering information involving key words.
   Example: EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FUN is an acrostic to remember the order of the G-clef notes on sheet music-- E,G,B,D,F.
   
   
3. Rhyme-Keys - a 2-step memory process: 1) Memorize key words that can be associated with numbers (one-bun); 2) Create an image of the items you need to remember with key words. (A bun with cheese on it will remind me of dairy products.) Use for remembering ordered or unordered lists.
   Example: Food groups:
   
   1. Dairy products: one-bun-cheese on a bun.
      
   2. Meat, fish, and poultry: two-shoe-livestock with shoes.
      
   3. Grains: three-tree-sack of grain hanging from tree.
      
   4. Fruit and vegetables: four-door- opening a door and walking into a room stocked with fruits and vegetables.
      
      
4. Loci Method - imagine placing the items you want to remember in specific locations in a room with which you are familiar. Use to remember approximately twenty items.
   Example: To remember presidents: Place a dollar bill (George Washington) on the door. Walk into the room and see Jefferson reclining on a sofa and Nixon eating out of the refrigerator.
   
   
5. Keyword Method - select the foreign word you need to remember, then identify an English word that sounds like the foreign one. Imagine an image that involves the key word with the English meaning of the foreign word. Use to remember foreign language vocabulary.
   Example: In Spanish, the word "cabina" means phone booth. Invent an image of a cab trying to fit in a phone booth. When you see the word "cabina", you should be able to recall this image and thereby retrieve the meaning "phone booth."
   
   
6. Image-Name Technique - invent a relationship between the name and the physical characteristics of the person. Use for remembering names.
   Example: Shirley Temple - her curly (rhymes with "Shirley") hair around her temples.
   
   
7. Chaining - Create a story where each word or idea you have to remember will cue the next idea you need to recall. Use for remembering ordered or unordered lists.
   Example: To remember the list: Napoleon, ear, door, Germany -- make up this story: Napoleon had his ear to the door to listen to the Germans in his beer cellar.

Adapted from a site developed by Bob Nelson at: www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/memory.htm

Developed by Meg Keeley
Special Populations Office, Bucks County Community College
With funding from the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act
Designed and Produced by Chimera Studio

Copyright 1997 Bucks County Community College. All rights reserved.

Author: keeleym@bucks.edu