Reading Success Center
Library East Basement: E36
Memorization Exercises
Memory is vital to the learning process. A strong memory helps us recall the information we've
been taught and to use it in a real world situation. Memorizing can be a difficult thing for many
of people to master. Learn memorization exercises in order to help them memorize the vital
facts and procedures necessary for your education.
Mnemonics
One of the easiest memorization exercises is mnemonics. Mnemonics is the use of association
to memorize complex knowledge. There are several ways to create and use mnemonics -- for
example, music. The strings on a guitar are arranged by the notes E, G, B, D and F. The phrase
"Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge" helps to memorize this arrangement. The first letter in every
word corresponds to a string on the guitar. Memorize the colors of the rainbow in a similar
method. The phrase "Roy G. Biv" can be used to remember red, orange, yellow, green, blue,
indigo and violet. Mnemonics often work despite the fact that the mnemonic can be longer
than the information memorized, such as the guitar string method. If you have to memorize
facts, try memorizing them using mnemonics.
Thinking in Pictures
Some people process information better visually rather than in an auditory method. For these
people, it can be a struggle to learn key concepts from a professor's lecture. For example, if you
are learning about the different parts on an insect's body, study for the test by creating and
looking at a diagram or picture of an insect’s body with the words pointing out the different
parts rather than just trying to memorize the words. Also, break down the parts of the insect's
body and find an easy to remember visual image to compare the body part with. For instance,
an insect's antenna is similar to an antenna on a car, or the "pinchers" -- mandibles -- are
similar to pinches from your brothers and sisters. Write these associations down on your paper
and imagine these images every time they think of the insect. This will quickly help them
memorize the body parts of an insect.
Tell a Story
Some memorization exercises can help visual and auditory learners. One of these simple dual
memorization methods is the story creation method. Story telling can help you remember vast
levels of complex information. For example, let us say that you are memorizing the first 20
elements on the periodic table. You could then write a short story where a man is trying to
obtain these elements to create an incredible device. You should integrate the names of these
elements into the story as often as possible. After you have finished writing the story, you will
have written and thought about these elements dozens of times. Reading and re-reading the
story will reinforce your memory. Having a friend read the story aloud to you can help you if
you are an auditory learner.
Revised: November 13, 2012