easy way to memorize essays

How to memorise essays and long responses

Lauren Condon

Marketing Specialist at Atomi

When it comes to memorising essays or long responses for your exams, there are three big things to consider.

• Should you even try to memorise an essay?
• Do you know how to adapt your memorised response to the exam question?
• How on earth are you meant to memorise a 1,200 word essay??

It’s a lot to weigh up but we can help you out here. If you want an answer to the first question, here’s one we prepared earlier. But wait, there’s more! If you’re super keen to read more about question #2, then go ahead and click here .

And for that third point on how to actually memorise a long essay? Well, all you have to do is keep reading...

1. Break it down

Your essay/long response/creative writing piece could be anywhere between 800 and 1,200 words long. Yeah… that’s a lot. So when it comes to memorising the whole thing, it’s a lot easier to break the answer down into logical chunks and work on memorising it bit by bit.

So if you want to memorise your Discovery Essay, you might have something like this:

• Introduction
• Theme 1 with the assigned text
• Theme 1 with the related text
• Theme 2 with the assigned text
• Theme 2 with the related text

You’re going to want to memorise the paragraphs and pay attention to the structure then you can piece it all together in the exam. Having a killer structure makes it a lot easier to remember the overall bones of this situation and if you’re finding this effective, you can even break those body paragraphs down further like topic sentence > example > explanation > connection to thesis.

2. Use memory tricks

Now, there are lots of different strategies and approaches when it comes to memorising a long piece of writing. Moving in sections, you can try reading it out loud over again (slowly looking at the paper less and less) or the classic look-cover-write-check approach. If you’re really struggling, make some of your own flashcards that have the first sentence on one side and the next sentence on the back so you can test your progress.

You could also enlist the help of some creative mnemonics (memory tricks) to remind you which sentence or section needs to come next. Pick one keyword from each sentence in the paragraph and turn them into a silly sentence to help you remember the structure of the paragraph and to make sure you don’t forget one of your awesome points.

3. Play to your strengths

Not all of us are super geniuses that can just read an essay and then memorise the entire thing but we’re all going to have our own strengths. There’s going to be something whether it’s art, music, writing, performance or sport that just ‘clicks’ in your brain and this is what you want to capitalise on. So for me, I was really into debating and public speaking (hold back the jokes please) and was used to giving speeches and remembering them. So whenever I wanted to memorise a long response, I would write out the essay onto palm cards and then practice it out loud like a speech. Did it annoy my family? Yes. Was I too embarrassed to tell people my strategy? Yes. Did it work? Absolutely. 💯

Whatever your strengths are, find a way to connect them to your essay and come up with a creative way of learning your long response that will be much easier and more effective for you!

4. Start early

So you know how there’s that whole long-term/short-term memory divide? Yeah well that’s going to be pretty relevant when it comes to memorising. You’re going to have a much better chance of remembering your long response if you start early and practice it often, instead of trying to cram it in the night before… sorry.

The good news is, you still have a couple of months before the HSC so try to get your prepared response written, get good feedback from your teachers and then make it perfect so it’s ready to go for the HSC. Then, the next step is to start memorising the essay now and test yourself on it fairly regularly all the way up to your exams. This way, you have plenty of time to really lock it deep into your memory.

5. Test yourself

The final and maybe even most important step is to test yourself. And not with flashcards or the look-cover-check-repeat anymore. Once you’ve got the essay memorised pretty well, you want to spend the weeks coming up to HSC doing past questions so you can practice

• Having the essay memorised
• Being able to recall it under pressure
• Adapting it to any question so that all your hard work will actually pay off

For this to work, you really need to commit 100% to exam conditions (no cheating!) and it’s definitely worth sending those responses to your teacher to get them marked. That way, you will actually know if you’re doing a good job of remembering the core of your argument but also tailoring it perfectly to the question.

Any subject with essays or long responses can be super daunting so if you want to have a pre-written, adaptable response ready to go then it’s worth making sure you can actually memorise it for your exam. Remember to break down the essay into sections, play to your memory strengths and make sure you consistently test yourself all the way up to HSC. That should do the trick. 👌

Published on

July 28, 2017

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Memorizing an essay is a useful skill for public speakers, performers, and students alike. When you have a deep understanding of the essay’s content and structure, you can deliver it confidently without the need for notes or other visual aids. In this article, we will explore three effective strategies for memorizing an essay: chunking, mnemonics, and rehearsal.

1. Chunking

Chunking is an efficient approach to learning that involves breaking down the essay into smaller sections or “chunks” instead of trying to memorize the entire piece at once. This method is based on the idea that our brains can process and retain information more effectively when it is presented in manageable portions.

To apply chunking to your essay, start by separating the text into meaningful sections such as paragraphs or groups of related ideas. Then, focus on memorizing one chunk at a time. As you become comfortable with each section, gradually combine them until you are able to recall the entire essay.

2. Mnemonics

Mnemonic devices are memory shortcuts that help your brain encode and recall complex information more easily. Some popular mnemonic techniques include:

– Acronyms: Create a memorable word or phrase using the first letter of each word in a list (e.g., HOMES for the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior).

– Acrostics: Form a memorable sentence using the first letter of every word or key idea in your essay.

– Visual imagery: Associate mental images with specific parts of your essay – like imagining a vivid scene to represent each paragraph.

Experiment with different memory systems and choose the ones that work best for you. Incorporate them into your study routine when trying to memorize an essay.

3. Rehearsal

Repetition is key when it comes to memorization. Reading or reciting your essay repeatedly helps reinforce neural pathways in the brain, making it easier to recall its content over time.

Begin by reading your essay aloud several times to fully internalize its structure and phrasings. Afterward, practice reciting your essay from memory. It can be helpful to have a friend or family member present during this process, as they can help you stay on track and provide feedback on your delivery.

As you become more comfortable with the material, focus on aspects such as pacing, tone, and body language to enhance your presentation. Additionally, practice under various conditions (e.g., standing up, sitting down, in front of a mirror) to prepare yourself for different situations.

In conclusion, memorizing an essay is a challenging yet achievable task when employing proper techniques such as chunking, mnemonics, and rehearsals. By dedicating time and effort towards mastering these strategies, you will develop the confidence and skills necessary to present an essay seamlessly – whether it’s for a public speaking engagement or an academic exam.

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Memorization Tips

You learn best by hearing , seeing , or doing , so find out what type of learner you are and have matching memorization techniques.

In addition, ask people who know you well and/or are familiar with memorizing (teachers, actors, etc.) to help you out.

Make sure to experiment - the only way to find out how you memorize best is by trying to memorize in different ways.

36 Best Memory Techniques for Studying

Here is a list of memory techniques to help speed up your learning:

Tip: if you’re a beginner with memory improvement techniques, join our free online community and we’ll send you a ebook that shows you how to start training your brain like a memory champion. It’s free!

1. Memory Palaces

Made famous by the Sherlock TV show, the memory palace technique is one of the most important memory techniques. A memory palace is also known as a “ mind palace ”.

If you’ve ever heard of people who can memorize thousands of digits of pi or shuffled decks of cards, it’s likely that they are using the memory palace technique.

You can also use the memory palace technique to make studying easier.

Check out the method of loci page for an example of how to create your own memory palace in 5 minutes!

2. Mnemonic Image Method

A mnemonic image is a picture in your mind that represents a piece of information in the real world. You can link the mnemonic image with the thing you’re trying to remember in order to make it more memorable.

For most people it’s easier to remember mental pictures than words, so the linked mnemonic image helps the information stick in your brain more easily.

For example, if you need to remember that the Spanish word dormir means to sleep , you could picture a dorm room, because dorm sounds like dormir , and you can sleep in a dorm. The link between the word and the image will help you recall the word or meaning later.

To learn more about them, see our tutorial on how to create mnemonic images .

3. Names and Faces Techniques

There are several ways to memorize names and faces . One of the most common ways is to find a memorable feature on someone’s face.

Then use a mnemonic image (see above), to create a picture that represents their name.

For example, if you meet someone named Alan, you could picture an image of an Allen wrench (shown below), and imagine the wrench interacting with a feature on his face that stands out to you.

When you see the person again, you would notice the feature that stands out the most to you, and then try to recall the mnemonic image that you created. The mental picture of the Allan wrench would remind you that his name is Alan.

4. Test Yourself

Testing yourself on what you learn can help you remember it better.

Active recall is the process of actively trying to retrieve information from your memory. When you try to recall information from your mind, it makes the information stick better than if you just passively read the information.

In the book The Principles of Psychology , William James described it like this:

A curious peculiarity of our memory is that things are impressed better by active than by passive repetition. I mean that in learning (by heart, for example), when we almost know the piece, it pays better to wait and recollect by an effort from within, than to look at the book again. If we recover the words in the former way, we shall probably know them the next time; if in the latter way, we shall very likely need the book once more.”

Here’s an example of the difference between active recall and passive recall: with passive recall, you’re just reviewing the information by repetitively looking at your notes. Re-reading your notes can help, but trying to recall the information from your own memory is far more effective for long-term memory.

To use the active recall technique while studying, you could create test questions as you take your notes. For example, if you’re studying JavaScript data types , you could write down the question “What are the 8 basic data types in JavaScript?“. Then put your notes away and look at the questions you’ve written down. See if you can answer them without looking at your notes. If you can’t remember some of the items, no problem — look at your notes, and then try the active recall again later.

Basic active recall can also be combined with other techniques like spaced repetition and the Feynman Technique (see below).

5. The Feynman Technique

This study technique appears under several names, but it is often referred to as the Feynman Technique due to the popularity of a book called Ultralearning .

This is an essential technique for any serious student, and it’s simple to do.

After you read a little bit of your book, or study a little bit of your course, stop for a moment and pretend to teach the material to an imaginary student. Alternatively, you can write down the material in your notes as if you were teaching somebody else.

Forcing yourself to put the material into your own words helps you lock the information into your brain and make sure that you understand it completely before moving on.

Learning by “teaching” is one of the most important memory techniques, so definitely give it a try!

6. Sleep on It

Getting a good night’s sleep can help with memory , and there’s an extra trick you can use to boost that effect ever further.

Every night before you go to sleep, do a bit of studying. Several studies have shown that studying right before you sleep can help with remembering the material :

At the 24-hour retest, with all subjects having received both a full night of sleep and a full day of wakefulness, subjects’ memories were superior when sleep occurred shortly after learning, rather than following a full day of wakefulness.

7. Alphabet Pegs

If you already know how to say the alphabet in order, you can use that ability to remember long lists of other information, using a technique called the Alphabet Peg System .

First, make a list of the letters in the alphabet and think of an animal that begins with that letter. Here’s an example for the beginning of the alphabet:

• A — A lligator

Then make a list of the facts that you want to memorize, for example, the periodic table of elements. Create a mnemonic image for each item in the list, like this:

• Hydrogen — water is H2O, so you could imagine that “water” represents the fact “hydrogen”
• Helium — a helium-filled balloon
• Lithium — a battery
• Beryllium — a berry, because “berry” sounds kind of like “beryllium”

To memorize the elements, create a mental picture that links each item from one list with the corresponding item and the other list.

• An alligator is swimming in water
• A bear is holding some balloons and is floating away into the sky
• A battery -powered cow
• A duck is eating a berry

Review your images a few times, and then recall the list by walking through the alphabet letters (A, B, C, D, etc.), thinking of the corresponding animal, remembering what the animal was doing, and then turning the mnemonic images back into the chemical elements.

You can create as many alphabet peg list as you want, using different animals, fruits, vegetables, peoples names, or anything else that can be linked with the letters.

If you’re going to memorize a list with more than 26 items (like the periodic table), it may be easier to use a memory palace or number pegs.

8. Number Pegs

After you learn alphabet pegs (above), try learning how to use Number Pegs .

To make a simple number peg system, create a mnemonic image for each number from 1 to 10. For example, you could use pictures that rhyme with the numbers:

• ONE rhymes with GUN .
• TWO rhymes with SHOE .
• THREE rhymes with TREE .

Once you have created the pegs, then make a list out of the facts you want to memorize. For example, you could memorize a shopping list:

Now link each item from the two lists together:

• Imagine shooting a loaf of bread with a GUN .
• Imagine putting an apple in your SHOE .
• Imagine shaking a TREE and having cabbages fall out.

When you get to the grocery store, you can recall the items by counting the numbers:

• What rhymes with ONE ? The answer is GUN . What was the gun doing? Shooting a loaf of BREAD .
• What rhymes with TWO ? The answer is SHOE . What happened with your shoe? You were putting an APPLE in it.
• What rhymes with THREE ? The answer is TREE . What happened when you shook the tree? CABBAGES fell out.

There are many ways to expand on this technique, which you can learn about by creating a free account on this site.

9. Other Peg List Systems

You can make a peg list out of any information that you know in order. You probably know the months in order, so you could create an image for each month like this (adjust for your local climate):

• January — snow
• February — freezing rain
• March — bird singing
• April — spring showers

To memorize facts with the list, attach your mnemonic image of the fact to the mnemonic image for the month. Then, to recall the facts, walk through the months in order, and convert all the images back to facts.

Also check out Simon’s peg list images for a kind of alphabet peg system that uses actions that can be applied to each fact that you want to memorize.

A peg list can be made from any list of facts that you might know in order: days of the week, zodiac signs, TV/movie/book series titles, and more. The only limit is your imagination.

10. Chunking

Chunking is a mnemonic technique where you break up the information you want to memorize into smaller chunks.

You can see an example of this in the telephone numbers of many countries. For example, in the United States, phone numbers are chunked in groups of 3, 3, and 4 like this:

• 555-555-1212

This makes phone numbers much easier to remember than if they were written as a 10-digit number like “5555551212”.

Whenever you see an overwhelming amount of information that you have to learn, try breaking it into chunks. The chunks can be grouped by their order, by category, or in whatever way makes sense to you.

11. Lanier Verbatim Memory System

The Lanier Verbatim Memory System is a complex memory technique for memorizing text word-for-word.

It requires knowledge of several other memory techniques and is not for the faint of heart. Even if you never end up using it, the design of the system is quite interesting.

12. Story Method

Creating a story out of information can make it memorable. To use this technique, put all of the information that you want to memorize into a list, and then link the items together by creating a story about them. You can exaggerate the story to make it more memorable.

This technique can be especially useful when combined with other techniques like memory palaces.

13. Memory Boards

A memory board is a kind of mnemonic device that is kind of like a memory palace on a board. You can make them with various materials like wood, beads, and shells. Each item on the board can represent a location in the memory space, and you can mentally walk through the memory space (just like with a mind palace) to recall the information.

A great way to learn about memory boards is to read the book Memory Craft by Lynne Kelly.

The photo below shows a lukasa — a type of memory board used by the Luba people in Central Africa.

14. Acronyms

To create an acronym take the first letter of each thing you want to memorize, and combine the letters together into a word.

For example, the colors of the rainbow are traditionally described as:

Combining the first letters from each color into a word gives you the made-up name: Roy G. Biv. If you can remember “Roy G. Biv”, then you can convert the letters back into colors to remember the order.

15. Acrostic Mnemonics

An acrostic mnemonic is a phrase or poem that represents the facts you want to remember.

Acrostics are commonly used by medical students, for example to create mnemonics for tarsal bones .

Here’s an example of an acrostic mnemonic:

• “ O ld P eople F rom T exas E at S piders”

The first letter of each word there can remind you of the cranial bones:

The difference between an acronym and an acrostic is that an acronym spells out a word (like “ ROY G. BIV ”, explained in the acronyms section), and an acrostic is more like a poem or phrase where the first letters represent facts. An example of an acrostic for the colors of the rainbow is “ R ichard O f Y ork G ave B attle I n V ain”.

16. Number Rhyme System

A number rhyme system involves finding a word that rhymes with each number (usually from 0 to 9). We already saw a quick example of it in the peg list section above.

Because pictures are much easier to remember than numbers, you can chain those pictures together with the story method to remember the digits.

Here are some examples of how to creating number rhymes for digits:

• ONE rhymes with GUN
• TWO rhymes with SHOE
• THREE rhymes with TREE
• FOUR rhymes with DOOR

If you want to remember the number 4314, you could convert the digits into their rhyming pictures like this:

Then create a story (story method) to keep them in order: a giant DOOR falls on a TREE , knocking it onto a GUN , which fires at another DOOR , destroying it.

This only works for short numbers, but the technique is easy to use. If you want to memorize longer numbers, keep reading to learn more about advanced number memorization systems.

17. Number Shape System

A number shape system is similar to a number rhyme system, but instead of creating mnemonic images based on rhymes, you create them by finding pictures that look like the digits.

Here’s an example:

• The digit 1 looks like a CANDLE .
• The digit 2 looks kind of like a SNAKE about to strike.
• The digit 3 looks like the folded wings of a BUTTERFLY .
• The digit 4 looks kind of like a FLAG .

Once you have pictures for each digit, you can use them as a peg list or as a way to remember numbers in the same was as with the number rhyme system.

18. Shaper System

You can take number shapes to the next level by using the Shaper System .

In the Shaper System, you convert every 2-digit number (00-99) into a picture that looks like the number. The pictures make it easier to remember the numbers, especially if you place the pictures into a mind palace.

Here are some examples of Shaper System images:

• 00 looks like two eggs
• 10 looks like a stick and drum
• 20 looks kind of like a snail
• 78 looks kind of like a shopping cart , if you put the 8 on the ground

Check out this page for a full list of example images.

19. Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a simple technique that you can use to remember things better. To use spaced repetition, you review the information that you’re trying to memorize at increasing intervals.

For example, after learning some new material, you might create a review schedule like this:

• immediately after memorizing it
• before going to sleep
• 1 day later
• again before going to sleep
• 1 week later
• 3 weeks later
• 2 months later
• 6 months later
• 2 years later

The increasing intervals will help you maintain the information in your memory. You can experiment with intervals to see what kind of spacing works best for you.

We also offer memory palace software that automatically schedules the spaced repetition for you.

20. 2-Digit Consonant Vowel System

A 2-digit consonant-vowel system is a variation on an idea from the Ben System.

In the Ben System, 3-digit numbers are given a 1-syllable pronunciation by converting the digits into a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern.

A 2-digit consonant-vowel system is similar but it’s designed for 2-digit numbers. The first digit gets translated into a consonant, and the second digit becomes a vowel.

Here’s a sample translation table:

Note: the digits represent sounds, not letters . This is a common source of confusion, especially for English speakers. The English alphabet isn’t consistent and one letter can have many different sounds, but in these kinds of consonant-based memory systems, the digits represent exact, specific sounds, not letters. That’s why the vowels are written with uppercase letters. They aren’t English letters, but are symbols that represent exact vowel sounds.

Here’s an example of how to create mnemonic images for numbers using this kind of system.

• 03 — The first digit becomes a consonant. Looking at the table above, it’s an “s or z”. The second digit becomes a vowel. The table says that 3 is an “AA” sound like in the word “cat”. To find an image, think of a word that start with the sound “SAA…“. The first word I think of is “satellite”, so my image for 03 is the satellite, Sputnik 1.
• 86 — Looking at the table, an 8 in the consonant position becomes an “f or v”. The 6 in the vowel position is an “IH” sound like in the word “six”. That makes the sound “FIH”. “Fiddle” or “fitness instructor” would be a good fit. In my system, I use “fiddlehead fern”.

To complete the system, create a fixed image for each number from 00 to 99. You can then use your system to memorize numbers of any length.

21. Major System

The Major System is a classic technique for memorizing long numbers.

In the Major System, each digit is given the sound of a consonant, and then a word is created from the consonants.

For example, the digit 2 becomes an “n”. To make a mnemonic image for the number 22, you would find a word that has “n” as the first two consonant sounds. The word “o N io N ” would be a good fit.

Another example: the number 2 in “n” and 0 is and “s” or “z” sound. So the number 20 could be converted into the word “ei NS tein”, because the first two consonant sounds in Einstein are “n” and “s”.

After you have fixed images for all the numbers betwee 00 and 99, you can then memorize numbers of any length by placing the images into a memory palace!

22. Mnemotechnic Words

The Mnemotechnic Words technique builds on the Major System to make it useful for memorizing things like historic dates.

In this system you’ll create Major System images on the spot to memorize facts like historical dates.

Start with an event that you want to remember, like “the founding of Rome”. Then take the date (753 BCE) and create an image from it using the Major System (or other number conversion method). Try to pick a word that can be easily linked with the fact. 753 in the Major System could be the world “ C o L u M n”, and Rome has a lot of architectural columns, so it fits well.

Now you have the name of the event (“the founding of Rome”), and a mnemonic image that represents the year (“ C o L u M n”). The next step is to link them together with a memorable phrase or idea.

It’s easy to link “Rome” with “column” — you might come up with a phrase like “Rome was founded on columns.” To recall the date, you just need to recall the phrase and convert the word “ C o L u M n” back into a date using the Major System (or whatever number system you used to encode the date): 753.

23. Group Compression

When you have to remember lists that have lots of repeated information, you can combine the items that have similarities and just memorize the differences. This compresses the data and reduces the number of facts that you have to memorize.

Here’s an example that uses patterns in a list of data. It’s a sleep log that contains a lot of repeated information:

You don’t need to remember eight pairs of words. First, determine the number of states. In this case, the number of states is two: “good sleep” and “bad sleep”. Count the number in each group like this:

Now you only need to memorize the names of the two states and the number 23211 (easy to do with a technique like the Major System), and you’ve losslessly memorized the information without as much effort. This is an exaggerated example, but the basic concept is useful whenever you see lists of information that have repeated values.

Here’s another example using a list of triggers from a programming language:

• before insert
• before update
• before delete
• after insert
• after update
• after delete
• after undelete

At first glance, it looks like seven items to memorize, but if you look closer there are patterns:

• There are only two kinds of triggers: before and after .
• Each type of trigger has three actions: insert , update , and delete .
• There is also an action called undelete , which can only happen in the after type of trigger.

So now you can remember the list by realizing that triggers happen either before or after something else. They relate to the mutating actions of a basic CRUD pattern ( C reate, R ead, U pdate, D elete). There’s just one item in the list that doesn’t fit the pattern, which is undelete , and it only appears in the after group.

Identifiying the patterns might be all you need to do to remember the information, but you can also supplement this method with another technique like a peg list or memory palace.

For another example, see the Memory Town section of this page.

24. Dominic System

The Dominic System is similiar to the Major System, but instead of turning digits into consonants, you turn them into letters which then become the initials of people.

The digits get translated into letters like this:

Here are some examples of turning 2-digit numbers into mnemonic images:

• 02 — looking at the table, the digit 0 becomes the letter O and the digit 2 becomes the letter B. The initials, O.B., could stand for Obi-Wan Kenobi.
• 16 — 1 would become A, and 6 would become S. The initials A.S. could become an image of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

25. PAO System

The legendary person-action-object (PAO) system , is a method of reducing the repeated images when memorizing very long numbers.

In a PAO system, each number gets a person, an action, and an object. Most people work with 2-digit numbers, so a PAO group would be six digits (two for the person, two for the action, and two for the object).

Here’s a table of three sample Dominic System numbers that are prepared for the PAO system.

If you come across the number 321615, you would chunk it in groups of two like 32-16-15. Then choose the person for the first 2-digit number, the action for the second 2-digit number, and the object for the third 2-person number.

Looking at the table above, 32-16-15 would be converted to images like this:

• 32 becomes a person: Charlie Brown
• 16 becomes an action: lifting
• 15 becomes an object: blackboard

The compound PAO image that gets placed into the memory palace location is “Charlie brown lifting a blackboard”. It represents the six-digit number 321615.

Using the table above, see if you can figure out what the PAO image would be for the number 153216. Write down your answer and then scroll to the bottom of this page to check the answer. 1

Here’s a video that explains in detail how the systems work together:

26. Shadow System and Trochee System

The Shadow System (and it’s successor the Trochee System ) is an advanced technique for memorizing cards that encodes card pairs as images but requires fewer images than the 2-card Ben System.

27. SMASHIN’ SCOPE

SMASHIN’ SCOPE is an acronym that helps you think of ways to create mnemonics. Examples: synesthesia , movement, symbolism, color, order, exaggeration, etc.

28. SEM Cubed

The SEM Cubed method for creating 10,000 pegs by combining a 10x10 grid of cells with Major System images. See this discussion for some links to detailed descriptions of the technique.

29. Ben System

The Ben System is one of the great innovations in modern memory techniques. Many top memory athletes use the Ben System.

It’s similar to the Major System in some ways but uses a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, which has some advantages over all consonants. Instead of having one mnemonic image per card, it combines two cards for each image, compressing the data into fewer memory palace locations, and reducing the number of repeating images.

30. 10,000-Image Number System

Most mental athletes have number systems with 100 images (2-digit system) or 1,000 images (3-digit system), but there are at least a couple of people who have created 10,000-image number systems (4-digit system).

A 10,000-image number system is extremely difficult to create and use, but if you want to try it, check out the link above!

31. Association System for Numbers

The Association System for Numbers is an alternative to number systems like the Major System and Dominic System. Instead of assigning sounds or letters to digits, you can associate the number with some arbitrary association.

For example, the number 05 could be a starfish because a starfish has 5 arms. The number 25 might be a Christmas present, because Christmas is on December 25th. 41 could be Mozart, because Mozart wrote “41 symphonies”. As long as the associations make sense to you, they should work.

32. Five Binary Number Systems

There are at least five techniques for memorizing binary numbers .

• The 8-letter method where every three binary digits are converted into a letter. The letter is then turned into a picture, which is easier to remember than the random digits.
• Gary Lanier’s method, which turns binary numbers into pictures that look like the numbers. For example, the number 010 looks kind of like a cannon with two wheels. (See the photograph of the cannon below.)
• A number conversion system converts the binary numbers into decimal numbers and then uses a decimal number memorization system like the Major System to encode the number as images.
• The binary grids system arranges the numbers in 3x3 grids. Each row becomes a 1-digit decimal number, and the results of those three rows become a 3-digit decimal number. Once you have it converted to a 3-digit decimal number, you can memorize it with any 3-digit number system.
• The Ben System also has its own way of memorizing binary numbers by chunking them in 10s and then again into groups of 4, 3, and 3. This is probably the most complex way to memorize binary numbers, but it compresses the most digits into in each mnemonic image.

33. Memory Town System

The Memory Town System was created by 8x World Memory Champion, Dominic O’Brien. It expands on the basic memory palace method.

With a memory town, your memory palace becomes an entire town. When you create mnemonics for words, you can place the images in their relevant spots in the town. For example, the images for food nouns could go in a supermarket, the images for verbs could go in a park or stadium, and the adjectives could go in a shopping mall. You can design the layout of the town according to the data you’re trying to memorize.

A clever part about the memory town idea is that you can separate the words into different parts of town, for example, by word gender. A masculine food would go in one supermarket, and a feminine food would go in a different supermarket. You would be able to determine the gender of the noun by which supermarket it’s in.

The memory town system is a type of group compression system where information about groups of things (e.g., nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) is encoded by their positions within a larger memory palace.

34. Repetition with Rhythm

Giving a sentence a rhythm, or arranging it to have meter, and then repeating it can help with memorization.

35. Rhyming

Rhyming can help with memorization, especially when combined with rhythm and meter. Older poetry relied heavily on rhymes and meter, which helped with memorization, especially in times when paper didn’t exist or wasn’t abundant.

36. Singing and Music

You can take the ideas of rhythm, meter, and rhyme even further and turn the material into music. The music can be a short melodic line or an entire song.

The Element Song by Tom Lehrer is a great example of taking that technique to a high level.

Where to Go Next

Ready to learn more? Create a free account and begin your memory journey!

1 Here is the answer to the quiz question in the PAO System section above: the number 153216 would be “Albert Einstein tripping over weights”. Did you get it right?

Memory Palace Guide

Learn more about how to use memory palaces.

• How to Build a Memory Palace 🔥
• Learn How to Use Sherlock's Mind Palace 🔥
• How to Create Virtual Memory Palaces 🔥
• Books About Memory Palaces
• How to Reuse Memory Palaces
• List of Memory Techniques for Studying
• How to Use Spaced Repetition
• How to Use the Method of Loci
• Advanced Memory Palace Tips
• Memorize Numbers with a Memory Palace
• Memory Palace for Language Learning
• Simonides of Ceos and the Method of Loci

Feedback and Comments

What did you think about this article? Do you have any questions, or is there anything that could be improved? We would love to hear from you! You can leave a comment after clicking on a face below.

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How to memorise English Essays effectively and adapt them to ANY question

Struggling to see how you'll write a whole essay in only 40 minutes? Not sure whether you should memorise an essay or go in blind? We got you! Here's our fool proof step-by-step guide to memorise essays that you can adapt to ANY question.

8 months ago   •   4 min read

Should I have a pre-written English Essay?

The answer to this is yes and no. NO you should not know have only one essay mindlessly memorised word for word that you just regurgitate back onto the page. But YES you do want to have several essay plans with quotes and analysis imprinted in the back of your head that you can call upon under pressure.

If you’re memorising an essay word for word, you’re giving yourself no room to adapt. Subsequently, your essay won't be relevant to the question, rendering all your hard work futile. Furthermore, you won't be able to tackle curveball questions that they are known to give, asking you to reference a certain theme or even worse, a certain scene or character.

In essence, you want to have a few template essays that you can quickly mould to perfectly fit any question.

What you should be doing

Step 1. form opinions and ideas about the text.

First is to actually have a thorough understanding of the text you are studying. Most importantly you need to be able to formulate original arguments and opinions regarding the essay.

I recommend starting by finding three practice essay questions and just having a think about how you would approach answering them. What themes or characters would you maybe reference? Where do you stand with the question, do you agree or disagree and why?

This will give you an idea about which themes or aspects of the text interest you and you can focus your analysis down on that.

Step 2. Study by theme

Pick four themes to focus your study efforts on. These themes will make the basis of your essays. Try to pick themes that somewhat relate together so that you can form a cohesive argument.

For example, you believe the composer uses their text to expose the fragility of human motivations by exploring notions of love and pride. You are examining two separate themes but they lead to the same argument, human motivations can be easily manipulated or changed.

For each of your four themes have a set of quotes and their analysis memorised. Even better, memorise a few possible topic sentences that you could pair up with these quotes.

Step 3. Break it down

Once you've collected your themes and quotes it's time to see how they all piece together in an essay. Find a practice essay question and spend some time creating a well-crafted essay. This will test how well your quotes and analysis work in an argument to an essay question.

When you finish try to get feedback on your work from either a teacher or tutor. You want this essay to be as well written as possible because this will form the base for future essays.

Once you are happy with your essay deconstruct it. This could be by highlighting key bits of analysis and quotes or turning them into dot-point summaries - chuckable portions that are easy to memorise. I found the best way was to use a table but you can experiment with what works for you (flowcharts, flashcards, dot points). By deconstructing it like this you aren't mindlessly memorising an essay word for word but actively visualising the inner workings of your words and imprinting key ideas into your mind.

Below are some examples of how you can format it. You will want to customise it based on the type of essay or module you are tackling.

Step 4. Practice, Practice, Practice...

This last step is the most important. Although it seems time-consuming and quite a pain, the only way to train your brain for under-pressure essay adaption is to write essays over and over again until it becomes instinct.

Use your above planner to do another practice essay under timed conditions and see how you go. You may find yourself short on time and struggling to compose your ideas. You may even come to find your first essay plan is rigid and your themes don't at all work with this new question. No biggie, go looking for some new quotes to add to your essay planner and edit your ideas to make them more adaptable.

Once you finish that essay, you guessed it, you'll attempt another one! You will want to do this at least three more times before your exam, practising using your quotes and ideas against new essay questions. If you get tired or are short on time you can just brainstorm how you would tackle the questions by dot-pointing your paragraphs. Eventually, this will become instinct and you'll do this effortlessly.

Want more personalised tips to drastically improve your English mark? A private tutor can make the biggest difference!

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How to Remember Things: 19 Proven Memory Techniques

Anthony metivier.

• June 14, 2024
• Featured , Memory

Podcast: Download

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Excellent. You’re in the right place.

The memory techniques I’m about to show you are the most effective strategies you can possibly use.

How do I know?

I used them personally to help me pass my Ph.D. in Humanities at York University, part of which involved dealing with Classical languages and hundreds of details about history and philosophy.

Then, after starting to teach memory techniques, I used these skills to help me learn how to run this blog, my Youtube channel and podcast. I’ve come to master a very complicated set of tasks that I would not be able to handle without proper mnemonics.

I’ve also studied hundreds of memory science research articles and was even invited to deliver a memorized TEDx Talk to share some of my many findings over the years.

As a result of both my scholarly and online accomplishments, I’ve helped thousands of my students memorize information to pass certification tests. I’ve also helped people accomplish all kinds of goals related to language learning and personal projects like memorizing scripture or better understanding philosophical concepts.

Further, I read every book on the topic of memory I can find. Personally, I am always looking to improve my own memory skills and learn more about the science of memory.

There are dozens of techniques and memory tricks I’ve picked up from all of this reading and teaching. The memory-boosting tactics I’ve found can be classified into three approaches:

• Mnemonics for Memory Improvement
• Lifestyle Changes For Memory Improvement
• Other Memory Methods for Improvement

Let’s take a look at each. You can either read the article below or enjoy this video version of the text by clicking “play” and taking notes:

Now let’s talk about the basic facts about improving your memory:

People with excellent memories and memory championship winners are not too different from you. They just use a combination of techniques to enable their minds to memorize things.

Now, you might find it hard to remember names , facts, equations, lists, tasks you need to take care of, a new language , and so on.

But if you follow the right techniques, you can remember almost anything you want. The techniques you’ll discover on this page will work for you, no matter how bad you think your memory is.

How To Remember Things: The Top 19 Ways To Boost Your Recall

As we go through this list, please don’t let overwhelm creep in.

Rather than try to master each and every strategy, I suggest you add each approach over time.

For now, discover each option you have and pick the ones that resonate with you the most.

1. Mnemonics

Mnemonics are memory techniques that help you to remember things better. They also provide the most effective strategy for forming strong long-term memories.

Typically, people use mnemonics to improve their retention while studying . Below, you’ll find a few of the most common mnemonic devices .

More broadly, however, the term “mnemonic” refers to any kind of technique that helps you remember something, including how to complete a task.

But when it comes to mnemonics for learning, we specifically mean the use of mnemonic images and multi-sensory associations. By using the special kinds of mnemonics I’ve been sharing on this site for over a decade now, you can use them to help you:

• Remember what you read
• Remember names
• Remember lists and things you need to do in the future ( prospective memory )

And that’s just for starters. We’ll look at other ways to remember things more holistically in a moment, but for now, here are the major memory techniques I suggest you add to your skillset in order to remember a wide variety of things based in words, numbers and even symbols.

That way, you’ll be able to retain your reading, learn languages easier and stop having to look up your passwords all the time.

2. Memory Palaces

The Memory Palace is the most powerful mnemonic device ever formulated.

If you are a fan of ‘Sherlock’ – the BBC series, you have seen Sherlock Holmes use his ‘mind palace ’ to remember practically everything. This memorization method isn’t just used by fictional detectives. Memory champions swear by the memory palace.

The mnemonic device, also referred to as the ‘Method of Loci’ or ‘Cicero Method’ was developed in Ancient Greece.

How does it work?

I suggest you get started by making a quick drawing of a familiar location first, like you home. This one is a Memory Palace drawing made by my friend and language learning expert, Olly Richards :

Once you have your first Memory Palace drawing, you’re better equipped to understand how the technique works.

The fundamental concept of the Memory Palace Technique is to associate pieces of information that you wish to remember with parts of a location that you are very familiar with. This location can be your home.

This memorization method begins by visualizing yourself walking through your home and remembering every single detail that you can. It’s also a great mental exercise .

However, you necessarily do not need to visualize, and can physically walk through your home too. In fact, the idea of the memory palace is to make use of all your senses – auditory, kinesthetic (touch), and so on.

Associate each item that you wish to remember with a specific object or space in your home. For example, if you are trying to remember a new language, you might want to store all the words related to weather in your wardrobe.

Associating items within your mind with a real physical space helps your brain ‘file’ important things to remember more easily.

Mind Palaces can be used to remember names, faces, languages, lists, academic material, and pretty much anything under the sun. I talk about the Memory Palace in more detail in this article.

3. Spaced Repetition

It’s easier to remember something that you read yesterday than a paragraph you have read a year back. Hermann Ebbinghaus referred to this as the forgetting curve. His research into the psychology of memory observed that we forget most newly acquired information within a few hours or at the most a couple of days.

However, if you reinforce what you learn at regular intervals, it’s easier to retain that piece of information from the long-term storage areas of your brain.

The spaced repetition method is all about practicing remembering at the right time.

You do that by reinforcing a bit of information in your mind just when you are about to forget it.

A simple way of applying this memory technique is to use flashcards . You can organize your flashcards into three batches depending on how easy it is for you to remember.

If you remember something clearly, test yourself with the same flashcard within ten minutes, but if you do remember, test yourself at a longer interval.

There are several tools out there that claim to be spaced repetition software , but which are actually not. If you wish to try out spaced repetition, the best approach is to make your own flashcards.

4. Use Chunking to Remember

Chunking is the process of placing things together into groups.

For example, when someone recites a phone number, they usually give it to you in clusters of 3 or 4 digits. That’s chunking.

As a memory strategy, you can apply this principle in many different ways. For example, rather than memorize your grocery list from top to bottom, you can use chunking to arrange the items on the list according to where you normally find them on the store shelves.

Or when you are learning a new language, learn words that are related by a strong context, such as breakfast food items, winter clothing, grammatical function and so on.

The human brain naturally tends to look for patterns, and chunking allows the brain to store information in easy-to-remember packets.

Here are 21 more study tips related to chunking, some of which are a bit unconventional. And that’s why they work.

5. “Expression Mnemonics” or Acronyms to Remember Things

You have probably come across this method in school. You create an acronym of the different things that you wish to remember.

If you have taken music lessons, you would remember EGBDF (the treble clef ) with the acronym, “Every Good Boy Does Fine.”

Another common expression mnemonic you might remember from your school days is HOMES – for the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior).

Acronyms are best when they’re difficult to forget. There are similar Expression Mnemonics which involve rhymes, songs, and so on, but sometimes simply coming up with a keyword in which a principle helps trigger your recall of a larger list of information is best.

I even give presentations from memory sometimes based entirely on simple acronyms. For example, I sometimes write “NAME” on a chalkboard when teaching people how to remember names using the strategy we’ll discuss next. If you look at the image of me above from one of my live memory training sessions, you can see NAME on the whiteboard behind me.

6. Using the NAME Acronym to Remember Names

The NAME acronym is a process used to remember names. This specific technique for memorizing people’s names quickly is based on an interesting book I read recently – Boost Your Memory by Darren Bridger.

For those of you who are seriously into memorization and mastering how to remember something you forgot, it’s a worthy read. Even if you’re already well established, I suggest reading it for a quick review of the major principles that support remembering things.

Notice is the first word in the name acronym. It’s basically the same as memory expert Harry Lorayne’s point that you can’t remember information to which you haven’t paid adequate attention.

In Bridger’s case, the author is not only talking about memorizing things like names by noticing the person’s hair, eye color, and other distinct features of the face. He’s also talking about noticing the sound of the name as part of learning to recall things better.

It sounds silly, but think about the suggestion for a second. Even a seemingly pedestrian name like “Bill” becomes quite interesting if you pause to think about it. You can even pay attention to how your mouth feels as you recite it, giving yourself a level of kinesthetic awareness to create an additional trigger for recall.

You can even go so far as to pretend in your mind that you’ve never heard the word before. Just as we want to pay close attention to the sound of the words we are memorizing using the Magnetic Memory Method, when we learn a person’s name, we want to swirl it around a bit.

It’s almost like tasting wine. That’s kind of a weird way to think about learning someone’s name, but I’ve tried it out many times, and it actually does bring an interesting quality to the memorization process.

Ask And You Shall Remember

Ask is the second word in this powerful acronym that teaches you how to remember names or even information for a test.

In the case of names, Bridger is suggesting that we ask for the name to be repeated if we haven’t heard it the first time. When it comes to how to memorize things for a test, it’s really the same process.

For example, I’m sure you’ve had this experience:

You hear someone’s name, but don’t quite catch it. Instead of asking for it to be repeated, you let the name issue drop and hope it will come up again … but it almost never does.

And so, as Bridger suggests, there’s no shame in asking for a name to be repeated. Likewise when you study: there’s nothing wrong with going back and repeating the information. And then add the act of asking with this quick tip:

If you want to remember things better, start asking people about their names. Like this:

“That’s an interesting name. Where does it come from?”

These are perfect questions to ask a person. Questions like these will not only increase your rapport with the person but also cause you to pay more attention to the name in the first place.

It’s the same thing with any information, and you can always ask questions about any information using this formula:

• What is interesting about this?
• Why is it like this?
• How did it come to be this way?
• What if it was different?

Remember: a great deal of what memorizing things boils down to is noticing and paying attention to the target material. It also comes down to “rotating” the information in your mind by examining it from different angles.

Mention to Help Remember Things

The author uses the word “mention” for the purposes of his acronym, but usually, tips on memorizing names tell us to repeat the name we’ve just heard.

Memory experts are actually divided on this point. Yes, it helps the name you want to remember to sink into your memory. And yes, it tells the person that you’ve heard their name and that you care about knowing them. But it can still come off as rather corny.

Still, I spend a lot of time in places where the language is not my native tongue and have found repeating the names of people I meet to be an essential habit.

Pronunciations of names vary widely, and there are often subtle sounds that people will gladly correct for you once they’ve heard you mispronounce their name. It’s only polite to make sure you can pronounce a person’s name right.

Plus, pronunciation is one of the weakest points for me. I’m always working on improving it in my own memory improvement journey – largely due to being 80% deaf in my left ear.

Even though it can be a bit corny to repeat the names of people you’ve just met, just do it. Taking that simple step when it comes to recalling things like names is worth it in the end.

Here Bridger finally shows us how to bring it all together.

Envisioning is simple. It’s the part of the mnemonic process where we take the visual characteristics of a face and associate the name of the person with some distinct feature.

To use Bridger’s teaching, which seems pulled straight out of Harry Lorayne, let’s say I meet someone named Jacob and he has rather bird-like features. All I would need to do is imagine him having the face of a Blue Jay and then imagine him puffing on a corncob pipe.

(Jay + Cob = Jacob). Simple stuff.

The only problem is …

I don’t like doing it this way. Placing images on faces makes me look at the people strangely later as I’m going through the recall process. I prefer seeing the images I create either behind the person, on their shoulder or above their head. That way, when recalling their name, I’m not looking all screwy-eyed at them.

The Missing Memory Step

Plus, there’s a missing step.. “Envisioning” is one thing. Having a place to find what you envisioned quite another.

That’s why I’ve had at times dedicated Memory Palaces just for names.

If I meet a person named Jacob and see him as a Blue Jay smoking a corncob pipe. But I don’t want to let the association just float around in the void. I want to Magnetize it somewhere. To do that, I put the Magnetic Imagery in a Memory Palace.

Later, when I want to recall his name, the association will come much faster than it would have otherwise.

Why? Because memory no longer needs to hunt for the association or “envisioned” information. When we associate without placing our associations somewhere, we often have an “uhhhhhhm” moment where we’re searching for the association we know that we’ve created.

Plus, without a Memory Palace, we have no means of performing Recall Rehearsal. We will find the imagery in our Memory Palace later, but still have to reverse-engineer it in order to get the target material.

That’s the key: always locate your material somewhere and then use that Memory Palace to rehearse the information into long-term memory.

7. Remembering Numbers with The Major System

The Major System is also called the Major Method or is sometimes referred to as Harry Lorayne ’s Number Mnemonics.

It works by associating a number with a sound. Like this:

… and so on (see diagram for the full list.)

You use this simple formula by forming words with these numbers. For instance, 22 could be nun (formed by combining n and n). You combine these words to visualize an animated sequence of activities, which makes it difficult for you to forget!

The method can be used to memorize long digits, multiplication tables, phone numbers, number-based passwords, and so on.

How To Remember Things Through Lifestyle Changes

Your lifestyle and habits have a significant impact on your memory. These are not memory tricks. However, implementing these lifestyle changes will boost your overall ability to remember things.

8. Getting Adequate Sleep will Help you Remember Things

This should hardly be a surprise. In addition to affecting the mind, lack of sleep is also considered to be a risk factor for heart disease, cancer, diminished immunity, obesity, and several other complications.

Numerous studies have established that sleep helps in the second stage of memory – consolidation.

And there’s no doubt about it:

Sleep helps in recalling facts and information as well as in procedural memory formation – the aspect of memory involved in learning new skills faster (Diekelmann and Born, 2010)

And there’s more to it.

Sleep also contributes to reorganizing memories, by forming stronger connections between different memories. Sleep helps the brain to link newly absorbed information with previously acquired information, which spurs creativity (Diekelmann and Born, 2010)

Other studies have indicated that lack of sleep also makes us remember things incorrectly (Diekelmann 2008). Therefore, for several reasons, getting a good night’s sleep can significantly contribute to memory improvement.

9. Taking Naps will Improve Your Memory

What if you are unable to get adequate sleep? Try taking naps.

David Dinges (University of Pennsylvania) concluded from sleep experiments supported by NASA that naps help in boosting working memory.

Dinges also says that working memory “involves focusing attention on one task while holding other tasks in memory … and is a fundamental ability critical to performing complex work.”  Another study concluded that a nap as short as six minutes can help boost memory (Lahl et al 2008)

10. Eat Foods that Boost Your Memory

When we talk about diet, the conversation is usually about weight loss, improving immunity, or preventing diseases. However, what we eat also has an effect on memory improvement.

There are several foods that are great for memory such as walnuts, green tea, blueberries, fish, whole grains, olive oil, etc. – often referred to as the Mediterranean diet.

Studies have demonstrated that consumption of green tea leads to enhanced activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex (Schimdt et al 3888). This optimization leads to improved memory and better cognition overall (Feng et al 438).

Fish, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, oysters are all excellent sources of Omega-3s, which lowers the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s by as much as 47% (Schaefer et al 1545).

Incidentally, the Mediterranean diet is also recommended for preventing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc. Therefore, there are plenty of reasons besides memory improvement to include these foods in your diet!

You should also avoid foods that contain too much saturated fats and trans-fats such as red meat, butter, etc. Foods that cause cholesterol leading to heart attack or stroke also lead to memory impairment.

And it’s not just about food. Teas for memory and herbs that help memory are important considerations too.

11. Exercising Leads to Memory Improvement

Exercising is another great way to improve your memory.

It’s well known that exercise leads to increased blood flow to the brain, which has several cognitive benefits, such as alertness, better concentration, more positive mood, and so on.

Exercising also improves memory by releasing cathepsin B . It’s a protein that triggers the growth of neurons and forms new connections in the hippocampus, a section of the brain playing a vital role in memory.

Memory improvement necessarily doesn’t require rigorous exercise. Just 150 minutes of walking every week has been known to improve memory .

11. Socialize for Stronger Memories

Australian researchers conducted a study involving 700 participants over 15 years. The researchers concluded that maintaining close relationships helps in improving memory. Other studies have also indicated that socializing helps prevent memory loss through dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Since better relationships are also linked to happiness and improvement in a number of health parameters, it’s a great reason to invest more in your current relationships as well as get back in touch with people you haven’t spoken to for years.

12. New Stimulating Hobbies Will Improve Your Memory

Columbia University researchers have found that people having more than six hobbies have a 38% lower chance of developing dementia. Researchers at Berkeley, California also found that people who regularly engage in activities that stimulate their brains avoid the formation of a protein that causes Alzheimer’s.

The key is to pick up new hobbies that force you to expand the capabilities of your mind.

For example, you could:

• Read a book on a topic that you are completely unfamiliar with
• Learning a new musical instrument or a new dance form
• Pick up a new form of exercise,
• Regularly meet new people

The key here is to engage in activities that lead to the formation of new neurons in the brain as well as new connections between existing neurons. This helps maintain the brain’s cognitive reserve – its ability to avoid memory loss.

13. Learning a New Language Boosts Memory

There are several reasons why learning a new language is great for memory.

The process of remembering vocabulary , phrases, and grammar rules all exercise your brain cells. Mental exercise like this leads to overall memory improvement. Studies have indicated that bilingual people are at less risk of Alzheimer’s.

You also develop renewed curiosity about everything around you, which helps you to focus more on everyday activities and objects. As I have pointed out earlier, focus is another factor that helps us to remember things better.

Remembering is an essential skill that you have to pick up while learning any new language. When you are actively looking for ways to remember, you pick up lots of memorization techniques – which in turn improve your memory.

It’s a cycle that helps you to keep improving continuously. So why not spend a few minutes every day in brushing up your French or Spanish or pick up a completely new language like Mandarin!

14. Do More Challenging Work

We live in an era that constantly sells us on the idea that “less is more.”

However, studies presented by the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK have found that people who do more mentally challenging work are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Deliberately working on things that are mentally taxing keeps your neurons on their toes and prevents them from deteriorating over time.

If you are in a job you find boring or if changing careers is not an option, developing better memory and a healthier brain is its own reward. You could also ask your boss to give you additional responsibilities every day that place you out of your comfort zone – so that your cognitive abilities stay in peak shape.

If you’re already retired, consider volunteering. Or you can start up a YouTube channel or a podcast and share your knowledge with younger generations. Developing and interacting with an audience is incredibly mentally rewarding and will exercise your memory as you complete a wide variety of tasks.

15. Positivity Promotes Memory Improvement

A 2012 study indicated that feelings of positivity have a beneficial effect on remembering things in the case of older adults . Positive thinking and happiness are believed to trigger the release of dopamine in the memory-related regions of the brain, which stimulates memory formation and retention .

Try to engage in activities that make you happy. It can be as simple as setting aside 10 minutes a day to revive a hobby that you used to enjoy, such as reading or singing.

Using memory tricks definitely makes me happy, and research by Tim Dalgliesh shows how and why. In “ Method-of-Loci as a Mnemonic Device to Facilitate Access to Self-Affirming Personal Memories for Individuals With Depression,” he shows precisely how and why using a memory technique relieves mental anguish and creates more joy.

You can also practice positive visualization or meditation . Both of these activities reduce stress and release dopamine in the brain. Practicing gratitude also makes us happier and helps improve our memories.

16. Meditation for Memory

Meditation is the most effective way of improving the ability of our mind to pay attention to tasks – which is important for improving retention and converting short-term memory into long-term memory.

Studies have demonstrated that practicing meditation improves our ability to focus on smaller details. (Maclean et al. 2010). Other studies have shown that mindfulness meditation works better as a memory technique than yoga.  (Quach et al 2015).

Building a habit of meditating every day isn’t too hard.

What if the thought of sitting still for even a couple of minutes is too painful?

Try walking meditation. Lots of people find this approach far easier than the regular sitting meditation approach, and as effective as calming the mind.

16. Story & Linking

A neat way to remember things is to embed the details in a story.

In fact, our ancestors have used stories to link facts for easier recall for decades. The techique is called the story and linking method .

For example, if you have a list of words, instead of trying to memorize them as isolated elements, you chunk them into units. If soap and tomatoes are on your shopping list, imagine soap bubbles flying up into the sky and bursting against potato clouds. If celery and corn are next on the list, have celery stalks raining down on a corn field.

This technique may need a bit of practice, but it’s very effective.

17. Rote Rehearsal

Believe it or not, simply repeating things is a legitimate learning strategy. Sure, rote learning can be boring, but I use it music, to take one example.

One way to make rote rehearsal more fun is to use flashcards with lots of colors and drawings on them. For example, look at this drawing below:

When I wanted to learn “C’est chouette” in French (for “it’s cool!”), I made a simple drawing of an owl in shoe. That’s because la chouette in French means owl.

It doesn’t necessarily make sense to the English native speaker, but by looking at the card a few times and using active recall as an additional strategy, it only took a few repetitions to memorize the word.

18. Make Information Relevant

Mnemonics, when done well, already make information more personal and relevant. But there’s an additional step you can take that goes beyond the important kinds of memorization tactics we’ve discussed so far.

It’s journaling, or at least writing out summaries of what you want to remember, ideally by hand.

As I discuss in my detailed tutorial on journaling for self improvement , there’s a lot of science-backed information on my writing by hand about your own life is so powerful. But memory champions do it too in order to keep their recall abilities functioning at the highest possible level. My friend and fellow memory expert Johannes Mallow shared his journaling method for sharper memory on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast .

Personally, I always have a small notebook with me wherever I go. It’s very useful for making sure I can always remember things that come up in every day life.

19. Learn and Use Other Accelerated Learning Tactics

There are so many more tips to share. Some of my favorite involve acronyms, such as the PQRST method: Preview, Question, Read, Self-Recitation, Test. It’s great to use this when studying, but can also be applied to work and even novels you might want to remember better.

One issue people face, however, involves what I call “topic exhaustion.” This takes place usually when cramming, but you can even get tired of learning from books you love. To combat this problem, I suggest learning to use interleaving . It’s a study method that lets you take quick breaks while switching between books. You’ll naturally remember more by using this specific switching and resting strategy.

Finally, there are new tools you can explore, such as the demonstration I give here for using chatGPT as part of your language learning efforts . This strategy is new and unconventional, to be sure, but I’ve found it quite helpful so far.

How Memory Works

By this point, you’re hopefully excited by all the different ways you can improve your memory.

But what about understanding how memory actually works ?

As I’ve learned over years of study and recently reviewed in an edX course called Learning and Memory in the Brain: A Guide for Teachers , most of what we know about memory doesn’t come from brain scans. It comes from behavioral psychology studies.

Based on what scientists have discovered through both approaches, we think memory breaks down into conscious and unconscious processes. These are called explicit memory and implicit memory . Here’s a simple way to understand the difference between them :

• If you repeat a phone number several times, you are consciously focusing on learning it (conscious, explicit memory)
• When you notice that someone is just like one of their parents, you’re observing habits that person learned at an early age (unconscious, implicit memory)

Other parts of memory have to do with how we perceive information and how we recall it through a process called retrieval .

The most important fact about memory for me comes from a lesson in the edX course I just mentioned: Memory is just as much about understanding as it is about remembering.

A huge part of understanding comes from the size of your working memory . As the edX instructor Ginny Smith put it, having your  working memory optimized is actually more valuable than having a high IQ . In fact, scientists have shown that better working memory is a better explanation for why some children are gifted. And that’s all the more reason to put the techniques we’ve discussed above into action.

Remembering Things Isn’t Hard!

We have covered a wide range of methods that will help you to remember. You don’t need to practice all of them. Just picking up a few of these memorization techniques will make a substantial difference to your memory.

And what if you wanted to learn just one method that will make a huge difference to your memory? I recommend the Memory Palace. Click here to learn more about how to effectively create and use one – fast .

Then create and use more Memory Palaces. It’s good for the health and longevity of your brain!

Further Resources

If you’d like more information on how to remember things, here are some of my favorite articles, both on this blog and around the web:

• Dr. David Reser discussing a scientific study about Aboriginal memory techniques
• A TEDx Talk about using mnemonics as a kind of therapy
• A science study validating the use of the Memory Palace for therapy
• A memory hack from a study conducted at Duke University
• Dr. Lynne Kelly discussing her study of ancestral memory techniques, The Memory Code
• An article about how people make memorizing things a profession

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62 Responses

This is very complete and has a lot of good information… I’ve had a lot of success with Memory Palaces myself. Thanks Anthony!

That’s great to hear, and of course people should check out your post on memory techniques for a difficult language . It’s a great one!

Thanks a lot for what you are offering. you’ve changed different aspects of our life. I truly appreciate you besides your job.

My pleasure, Mohammad.

Are you currently doing some memory improvement activities at the moment? Do you have any questions? Let me know if any come up and I’ll answer a.s.a.p.

I am not using any method to memorize right now. I just reading to get familirize with the information. I will like to try different memory methods to see witch one i feel and see will work for me. In life style i fail in sleep habits and socialize

Thanks for checking this out, Maricela, and great that you’re familiarizing yourself with these techniques.

Dive in as soon as you can with using them. One of the “traps” that people fall into is the activity of learning about the techniques without diving in and learning by doing. Keep the D.O.C. and S.I.P principles of the Magnetic Memory Method in mind:

Doing is the Origin of Consistency Doing is the Origin of Creativity
Doing is the Origin of Courage Doing is the Origin of Clarity Doing is the Origin of Control

Study memory techniques Implement memory techniques Practice memory techniques with information that improves your life

Thank you for this. I just started nursing school last week and I’m 49 yrs old. I am going to try these methods and see what works best for me. There’s so much information to learn in the medical field! Do you have any recommendations for me?

Thanks for reaching out, Elizabeth.

The number one recommendation I have is to master the fundamentals of mnemonics.

That means:

1. The Memory Palace technique

2. Associative or “Magnetic” Imagery for using in your MPs

3. Solid Recall Rehearsal for long term memory

4. The Big 5 (Reading, writing, speaking and listening from Memory for greater consolidation)

5. Consistency of practice

Therein lies the magic that will make nursing school so much easier for you. And being part of this community will help too.

Enjoy and I look forward to hearing from you again soon!

Hello! The only problem I face is earworms, even though I’m not listening to some songs for weeks. But as I have started to improve my mind power even i am beginning to recall some of them from 5+ years ago. So yeah, I need help a bit with that…

Earworms are an interesting issue.

Have you seen my TEDx Talk? The technique I share in it might help you out.

Very helpful tips to remember things.Thank you for sharing!

My pleasure, Oren. Which of the strategies did you find most useful and want to try first?

Very nice article for helping people memorize things. These memory tricks are very doable. Thanks

Thanks for letting us know you appreciated this, Zulfiqar.

It is very useful and super fantastic article. I love it. I was not able to remember facts, history dates, and one word answers. I am doing graduation. This article will always help me lifetime specially in national level examination. I am Indian . And I want to say a great thank you . At this moment , you are really a Santa Claus for me, who fulfil my wish. Thank you so much sir…..!

Glad you found this useful, Neha. I really appreciate you taking a moment to let me know.

And to be like Santa Claus – what an honor! 🙂

Impressive tips, I must say. These tips must be practiced by everyone. I am not sure whether I have some illness or what but I do struggle with remembering things. Sometimes I even forget the name of the person I met a day before. I was looking for some helpful tips and found a lot of them. Thanks for sharing this valuable post 🙂

Thanks for checking this out, Oren. I’m glad you found useful tips.

If you have any feeling whatsoever that an illness might be involved, please do see a doctor. Memory training is tremendously useful in many ways, but it’s good to get any concerns you have checked out.

When revising, or wanting to learn and memorise a new subject, I find it very useful to write down questions about the subject matter instead of lots of notes. Reading and making notes is very passive but asking questions automatically stimulates the brain to active recall. It’s very hard not to answer a question even when you feel lethargic. It’s a stimulus and we can’t help but respond. It also tests your recall. If you can answer the question then you know it by heart. If you can’t then you can go back and just review the things you can’t recall rather than everything. This makes it a time-effective method as well.

Thanks for this important and profound tip, David. Self-testing along the way is great and brings to mind the Feynman Technique. I’ve done some YouTube material on it before and certainly need to get more about it on this site.

You’re so right that the Q&A process stimulates recall and that it’s doable even when tired. In fact, being tired might even be a benefit in that situation due to a slight dreaminess and tendency towards the fantastic.

We might also add that people can ask questions while walking, showering and performing all kinds of tasks. An ongoing inner dialog is a great way to continually learn more while bolstering one’s memory.

These are some very helpful tips! I have been looking for ways to improve my memorization. I usually try to repeat things as often as I can, but it is very time-consuming. Thank you for sharing!

Excessive repetition is a waste of time, Brittany. By using effective memory techniques, you can save a ton of time and learn far more.

Anthony, for spaced repetition for learning something new or technically complex, what is your recommendation for how often to study the material?

Thanks for the question, Christopher.

Can you let me know more about what the technically complex information is that you’re referring to?

A lot of people will give you some kind of generic answer, but nuance will probably help best based on an actual example.

Are you using general memory techniques or specific ones like the Memory Palace technique? If you’re using the Memory Palace, it has a recommended schedule built in (or how to think about review and strategize on your own), if the training you’ve received is any good.

Look forward to your reply for more details.

Anthony, thanks for the reply.

The technically complex info I’m referring to can either be Professional IT Certification and software development.

I’m just learning the details of memory palaces and applying them to learning.

I thought you were referring to say, study on Monday, don’t study on Tuesday, study on Wednesday, don’t study on Thursday, and study on Friday. Basically you don’t study every day of the week Vs trying to study every day and overworking your brain. It would be like going to the gym every day and not giving your muscles time to rest.

Thanks for the follow-up, Christopher.

It depends on your level of skill. I would not personally treat this like going to the gym, but you can use interleaving to take pauses.

When it comes specifically to the Memory Palace technique, one would do well to learn the role of Primacy, Recency and Serial Positioning to ensure that you’re getting adequate exposure. These matters are covered in the free course on this site.

It’s also recommended that people make Memory Palace Networks, not one MP. It’s very unlikely that anyone will develop solid skills with just one, and even though some competitors talk about “one” Memory Palace, here’s the thing:

Everyone I’ve interviewed on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast or talked to off-the-record says that they use heavily segmented MPs. So even if they use the term in the singular, it really breaks down to networks of them in strategic segments.

Well written article with factual information. Very excited to try some new methods. Thanks for helping myself and others.

All the best your way,

Thanks, Michael. Great to meet you here and I look forward to hearing which of these methods work best for you.

Is there a particular kind of info you would like to remember better?

Hope all is going well during this wild time with you! And kudos to responding and being so engaged with the replies on here! Can tell this is something you love and are passionate about.

BLUF: To skip my quarantine ramble and get your answer, please just scroll to “your question answer” at the bottom haha!

Looking forward to seeing which methods work the best for me too ha. I use expression mnemonics & acronyms pretty regularly and they work well. The acronym use definitely came with the military for 10 years, but now I’m I’m enrolled in a personal trainer certification and there is a lot of info. The info there doesn’t scare me too much; I think I’ll manage. However, when I hopefully succeed with this, I’m thinking about an R.D or N.D program and I feel I need new ways to retrieve and store information if I am to be successful in those fields. I work hard, very hard, on all aspects of physical and mental health, but I feel maybe I need to apply some new memory tactics to stop being so down on myself in the cognition area.

It would be best to employ and practice some of the above-mentioned methods now rather than waiting to later. I just used the chunking method last time I was at the supermarket (even though I had my list on my phone just in case ha), and it worked quite well. I’ve been more aware after the reading of the article of the spaced repetition, makes sense and have been using it with the flashcards for this certification.

Lifestyle topic, I’ve been all over that for a long time. I’ve beat it to death haha.

So, to sum it up, I’m very excited to mainly try working on the memory palace, recalling before writing (I sometimes struggle to retain what I read), and working on a new language.

Your question answer – Info I’m working to remember better is medical terms & lots of health information(took Latin in school so thats helping break words down.) Also, just general stuff I read. I liked the summarizing in the margins tip. Oh an focus, my brain skips everywhere which can be problematic so any tips with focus would be appreciated. I’ve really limited electronics use and it’s helped but I still find my brain just skipping all day (most days). I’m increasing my green tea & matcha and reducing my caffeine to achieve that “calm energy” ha! Anywhooooo.

Way more information than you probably desired to know, but writing this all out was probably more for me anyway ha!

My pleasure, and writing summaries like this itself a great memory and self-development strategy. I wish more people would write at length.

Eventually, you might like to explore replacing flashcards with the Memory Palace technique. This is where your memory will really start improving. The longer we use external references, the longer we delay the more profound results of letting spatial memory do the “heavy lifting.”

Meditation is one of the best ways to increase focus. I have a whole book on the topic coming out soon called The Victorious Mind: How to Master Memory, Meditation and Mental Well-Being.

In the meantime, there are a lot of resources on focus and meditation on this site. Here’s one for improving concentration using meditation .

Green tea is indeed a nice alternative to coffee. Unfortunately, I have bad reactions to it – otherwise I’d go green tea all the way. Science shows that it has great benefits for memory.

Thanks and look forward to your next post!

Great article. I love your memory techniques!

Glad that you enjoy the Magnetic Memory Method – thanks for stopping by to read this one. 🙂

Very good techniques. I will surely practice them.

That’s great to hear – enjoy the memory improvement journey!

Thank you so much for sharing interesting detailed information.

Thanks for letting me know you found it useful.

Anything you’d like to see added to this page or on a future post?

Thanks, Anthony. Great to see these suggestions assembled. By the way, are you familiar with Anki? It’s a spaced repetition App (or via desktop). Very supportive for language learning, amongst other things. Best wishes,

Thanks for checking this one out, Frank.

I am familiar with Anki and recommend limiting its use to those serious about memory techniques.

True, it does work for some, but we’re still awaiting a lot of research on how and why some use it correctly and others don’t. We know that without elaborative encoding, the rate of recall is actually very low and there are many problems with self reporting that spaced repetition apps not only enable, but often encourage.

Thus, if people are going to use them, they are advised to be very careful that they’re using them well and are well versed in the alternative: app free mnemonics and what is called the levels of processing effect: reading, writing, speaking and listening from memory so things are consolidated in memory.

Your thoughts?

I use it to practise my Spanish vocabulary. I use imagery to help me remember words as I am learning them. Eg I had a colleague with the surname Hill. When I was learning the word for spinning (Hillando) I imagined her spinning around (the -ando suffix I already knew in my long term memory). I entered it into my Anki app and practised the word. Now it’s in my long term memory and although I may still see her spinning around, I don’t need to search for the image to help me recall what it means any more. So, I find Anki helpful to work the vocab into my memory but I use other methods to help me recall the word in the first place. My gut feeling is that the wider repertoire of ‘tools’ we have at our dispoosal the more likey we are to find a suitable one for the job in hand.

Well, it’s late here so I have to go to bed (as you say, sleep is important). Loving the work you are doing here. You give so much value in these videos and the podcasts. Thank you, again. Frank

You do have a more sophisticated way of doing things.

You raise another issue with apps, however. I am thinking of it because I can’t find “hillando” as a common form of el hilado. Is it regional?

I don’t know, but we often find that people borrow or buy vocabulary sources that aren’t correct.

Memory techniques obviously can’t check, but the Magnetic Memory Method never advises people to memorize vocabulary without also speaking with native speakers, ideally from the regional dialect one wants to learn. Spanish tends to be fairly regular around the world, but there are many local pronunciations and expressions that one might miss or learn well but incorrectly depending on the source material.

Hi. I came across ‘hillando’ while reading Nada by Carmen Laforet. It’s from ‘Hilar.’ Hillando means spinning in the sense of turning around (not, say, spinning yarn).

I know that Anki provides ready made lists. Like you, I wouldn’t subscribe to them because context is so important. Besides, by creating the lists from my reading I can focus on new vocabulary that I find interesting enough to want to learn.

On another note, after watching your neurobics video, I worte my journal left-handed last night. My penmanship looks like its from an Elizabethan document!

Very best wishes,

Interesting and thanks for adding something new to memorize from Spanish. Nada looks very interesting too.

I could only suggest a split test between writing your own cards and pumping them digitally into an app. I do not know for certain that you’d notice a difference, but I certainly do. Using multiple colors and drawings also creates space for the kind of diffuse thinking that is so essential for memorizing.

And since you have Elizabethan handwriting, that would be very fine to behold indeed. Developing such script would itself be a form of neurobics! 🙂

Dear Anthony,

Thank you for your guidance. I am applying your memory techniques in my studies. Its incredible. Most importantly, you are so much care about users questions and answering immediately. As a user, I really appreciated your politeness.

So the question I was requested to you in YouTube comments is, “How to apply memory techniques in Computer Data structure algorithm subject ?”

If you suggest some suitable memory techniques then it will be good. I can understand the concepts but steps are really important with some computer syntax. Most of the computer students are struggling especially “Datastructures and algorithm subject”, even many are failing to achieve pass marks.

Thank you. I’ve had a look at the code and removed it because it’s probably not good to have on the site. But I do appreciate taking a look.

What I still don’t understand is why that has to be memorized? What concept is it going to help a person understand to memorize it all?

To memorize such code is incredibly simple and can be solved right now:

1) Create proper Memory Palaces

2) Develop a Major System

3) Develop an Alphabet System

4) Develop a Symbols System

5) Memorize the code

But I believe that if people can explain more about what the specific concepts are and why they have to be memorized, it won’t be necessary to memorize that much code.

I suggest all people learn these techniques and then start practicing with the highest order of information possible so they can start to develop the understanding they seek. There’s no reason to delay and every reason to rest assured that these techniques work. It’s sad that science doesn’t motivate more people because we’ve got the evidence in droves that this works. (As do fitness gyms for physical fitness.)

Thank you sir for giving us such a great article but, please can you help me how to learn anything faster and contain it in my mind for a long time after short revision.

Thanks for stopping by.

If you want to reduce the amount of revision, the Memory Palace is the best bet. There are many articles on this blog teaching the technique and you’re welcome to register for the free course.

I am intigued by the techniques given in the free course, but before buying the full class i have a few questions about the effectivnes of the mental palace that needs clearing up:

1. I am studying biology and it is a lot of terminology that i need to use, for instance to memories the parts of the cell. and In my (very elementary) memory palace I only have about 4 ‘places’ to locate information in each room.

would you recommend that either a) locate each part of the cell in each location in every room? or b) locate an image of the entire cell on one of the locations in 1 room?

because if i where to locate each part in different places in my palace, my palace woudl be “full” with just the cell? and it is only a minor part of the entier chapter of which i am supposed to memories? if i where to use this technique for the entier book i woudl need at least 100 palaces?

2 so, how much should i limit to each location in each room, and am i supposed to have multiple palaces at once? in that case recalling all that i am supposed to learn would take hours and hours to do and would seem even more complicated, should i just use a different techniqe for each chapter?

Thanks, love your energy and passion (got a hold of you when viewing the Theories of Everything podcast)

Thanks for your post and your kind words, Olof. It’s great that you’re asking these questions.

To your questions:

When we assign Magnetic Stations, we can use four in a room for four different pieces of information. But if you want to memorize something like a cell, there is a different procedure I would suggest on a modified station. There are some FAQ videos in the MMM Masterclass that relate to this – and if they aren’t clear, I will create another one for the program.

You definitely don’t have to worry about a room being “full” with just one cell using the procedure I would recommend. However, it sounds like you still have a relatively limited view of what the Memory Palace technique is, and more importantly what it can be. This program would expand your view and give you a much more powerful way to think about projects like these. I would expect that you can get at least 4 full cells per room without any issues – provided your association skills are strong enough. We’ll make sure they are in the program and especially the Exercises page.

For your second question, the answer has to do with the specific information and your strategy. The limit is relative. In the beginning, you want to start small as you learn the fundamentals. But there are a lot of neat tricks for “compounding” information into space.

Plus, you’ll have the knowledge of Recall Rehearsal to get the most out of all your efforts.

Please let me know if you have further questions and I’ll get back to you a.s.a.p.

In the meantime, thanks for listening to the interview with Curt. He’s great!

Sir I’m a doctor. But I’m not confident to say that I can remember what I read. I hope I can improve.

Thanks, Latakumari.

Please consider learning the Memory Palace technique. If you use it to commit things that you read to memory, you should see quick improvement.

This is because the more we remember from what we read, the more we can remember.

Once you have the foundational skills, you can memorize a lot more, a lot faster.

This article was so useful. Thank you so much. You helped us alot.

My pleasure!

What are you currently studying?

Hello Anthony, thanks for sharing this detailed information about memorization. I will definitely try out the Memory Palace. Keep up the good work!

That’s great news. The Memory Palace is the best of them all!

I learn so much from this, thank you for sharing it!

Thanks, Ashley. That’s great news!

Hello everybody, How are you? I’m from Brazil and I’m starting these memorization techniques. I haven’t started training yet, but I certainly believe in the method and I congratulate Anthony for making these gems about memory available. Thank you and congratulations Anthony!!!!

Thanks for commenting, Sérgio.

What kinds of things do you want to remember better?

I learned so much to help me in the future thank you!

Thanks, Ayla.

What kinds of topics are you studying?

Thank you for sharing with us.

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How to Memorize Fast (and Why Most Memorization Tips Suck)

It's not too difficult to learn how to memorize fast and easily – if you use the right strategies, that is.

But most people don't use the right strategies. 

In fact, most people don't use any strategy – they use a few tactics that don't work very well. So, let me be straight with you: If you've been using flashcards or repetition to try to drill things into your brain, you're making things difficult for yourself.

It's time to work smarter, not harder .

Here's the thing: Your mind is a supercar that you haven't figured out how to drive yet. With practice, you can learn how to memorize anything – whether it's a new language, speech, or answers to an upcoming exam.

Oh, and learning how to memorize fast doesn't have to suck, either – it can even be fun. For real. This guide will show you how to memorize fast and easily – the smart way.

6 Tips on How to Memorize Fast and Easily

If you want to learn how to memorize things fast and easily, you need to be strategic. Here are six tips on how to memorize fast that you'll learn about in this article:

• Understand your learning style
• Learn the 3 'R's of memorization
• Practice the substitution method
• Learn the story and link method
• Use the memory palace method
• Apply spaced repetition strategically

Step 1. Understand Your Learning Style

Before you try to learn how to memorize fast, it can help to have a basic understanding of how you best interpret and absorb new knowledge.

Now, there are four main learning styles usually referred to by the acronym 'VARK':

• Reading/writing
• Kinesthetic

Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Visual learners learn best through sight. They like information to be presented visually and tend to prefer seeing and observing things, such as diagrams, pictures, and demonstrations. Many visual learners also like to sketch, draw, and write lists.

2. Auditory 

Auditory learners learn best by listening and when the subject matter is communicated through sound.

They'd rather listen to podcasts , lectures, and audiobooks than read books and notes. If they have to read a book, they're likely to absorb more information if they read it aloud to themselves. Many auditory learners also like to engage in discussions.

3. Reading/Writing

Reading/writing learners prefer to learn through the written word.

They learn best when reading books and articles . They also learn well when taking and reviewing notes. This learning style overlaps with visual learning, however, these learners tend to prefer to express themselves through writing.

Traditional western education systems cater to reading/writing learners by focusing on reading books and writing essays.

4. Kinesthetic

Kinesthetic learners learn best by experiencing or doing things. They're sometimes referred to as 'tactile learners.' 

This type of learner likes to get moving and use their hands. They excel when they can interpret the subject matter through their physical senses. They prefer hands-on exercises over book-learning every day of the week.

Which Style of Learning Do You Prefer?

It may be pretty obvious which learning style you prefer. For example, it's clear to me that I'm a visual and reading/writing learner – after all, I'm a writer.

However, if you're unsure which style – or styles – of learning you prefer, check out this VARK questionnaire to find out.

It’s also worth noting that most people have a natural preference for more than one style. Oh, and in case you were wondering, no particular learning style is better than the others. They're just different!

Step 2. Learn the 3 'R's of Memorization

It's time to understand the foundations of how to memorize fast and easily: The three 'R's of memorization. 

These three steps are the strategy you need to learn how to memorize fast. Here's how they work:

• Registration: The first step is to record a new memory in your mind with the intention of storing it in your long-term memory. To learn how to memorize quickly, it helps to practice effective registration techniques.
• Retention: In this stage, you work to retain the information in your brain and move it from your short-term memory into your long-term memory so that you can recall it later.
• Recall: In the final stage of memorization, you can use techniques to retrieve the information stored in your mind.

People refer to these steps in different ways – for example, some people call them 'encode, store, and retrieve' – but the basic principles are the same.

Most memorization tips miss one or more of these steps. 

For example, repetition can help with retention. However, reading something over and over does nothing to encode the information into your mind intentionally. Plus, it provides no mechanism that you can use to recall the information.

In short, to learn how to memorize faster, you need to use all three 'R's.

Step 3. Learn How to Memorize Fast and Easily

Now that you have the basics under your belt, it's time to learn how to memorize something quickly. So, what is the easiest way to remember something?

The best way to memorize things is to use a mnemonic device – which is just a fancy way of saying a memory device.

What is a mnemonic device?

Simply put, a mnemonic device is anything that helps you to remember something. For example, the phrase ''I' before 'E,' except after 'C'' is a mnemonic device. 

Here's an example of a visual mnemonic device to help remember the numbers of days in the months, with each knuckle representing a 31-day month:

Whenever you hear about 'memory athletes' that can recall the order of six decks of playing cards, they're using mnemonic devices.

It's not magic. It's just practice, and you can do it too.

There are countless mnemonic devices out there. However, we're going to focus on three of the most popular and effective techniques that you can use to learn how to memorize something faster.

Unlike repetition and flashcards, each of these mnemonic devices uses the three 'R's of memorization – registration, retention, and recall.

1. The Substitution Method

This first memory method is super simple. All you need to do is take what you want to remember and substitute it for something more memorable.

For example, say that you're trying to memorize the periodic table of elements. When trying to remember the first element, 'hydrogen,' you could link it to the word 'hydrant' because they sound similar.

For the second element, helium, you could imagine a balloon filled with helium, and so on.

Then, consider which learning style you lean toward and use that information to help you forge a lasting connection. For example:

• If you're a visual learner, you could visualize a bright red fire hydrant on the sidewalk. 
• Auditory learners could practice saying the words 'hydrogen, hydrant' out loud to emphasize how they sound similar.
• Reading/writing learners could write the words down, emphasizing how their spellings are similar, with both words beginning with 'h, y, d, r.'
• Every time they walk past a hydrant, kinesthetic learners could touch the hydrant with their hand and practice saying the word 'hydrogen' out loud.

When you need to recall the first element of the periodic table, it'll be a lot easier to remember the red fire hydrant first, which will trigger the memory of 'hydrogen.'

Substitution is an effective way to register new information in your brain and have a way to recall it easily later.

Plus, this technique doesn't just work with words – you can also use it to remember ideas, concepts, names, dates, or even the key talking points in a speech.

Okay, but how do you remember lots of things?

2. The Link and Story Method

Here's where things get interesting: After you've created some substitutions to memorable words and objects, you can link them together with a story.

Here's an example of how you could link 'fire hydrant' (hydrogen) with 'balloon' (helium): 

Imagine a bright red hydrant (hydrogen) on a sunny sidewalk at a park entrance. Stood next to the hydrant at the park entrance is a vendor selling balloons (helium) to children entering the park.

Here's the trick: Exaggerate the story so it sticks in your mind more – this will help with retention and recall.

For instance, perhaps the hydrant is broken and is spraying water everywhere. Or maybe the balloon vendor is dressed as a clown. Use whatever works best for you!

Once you create effective associations and link them together with a compelling story , it becomes very easy to remember things.

This method is a great way to register large amounts of information in your mind while also providing a mechanism to recall it.

3. The Memory Palace Method

If you want to know how to memorize a lot of information, try the memory palace method. 

This method has stood the test of time – it was first presented in a book called the 'Rhetorica ad Herennium,' written in 80 B.C. by an unknown author.

Here’s how to use it:

• Think of a place or a journey you know well, such as your home or a daily commute.
• Identify some significant points in your home or on your commute .
• Link what you want to remember to each one of those points.

For example, say that you need to remember a speech. 

You could break your speech up into points, such as your introduction, three main talking points, your summary, and final thoughts. You can then link each of these points to something in your memory palace.

Your home's front door could represent your speech's introduction. Then, your three main talking points could be the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. The summary may be the hallway leading out of the house, and your final thoughts could be the front yard.

Then, whenever you practice your speech, you can imagine walking around your house for each point.

If you have a long speech – or a large amount of information to remember – you can break the information down into smaller chunks and link them to things in each room. 

For example, say you have three aspects in your first talking point (the living room). You could link each one to a piece of furniture, such as the sofa, coffee table, and standing lamp. 

If you practice the memory palace method, you should be able to walk around your house – or run through your commute – in your mind and recall all of the information.

Again, this method hits all three 'R's by providing a way to encode, retain, and recall information.

Step 4. Apply Spaced Repetition

Once you've registered new information in your mind, how can you stop yourself from forgetting it? Apply spaced repetition.

Way back in 1885, Hermann Ebbinghaus created the 'Forgetting Curve.' This concept demonstrates how we forget things. Simply put, as soon as we learn something, it starts to fade from our memory.

However, we can prevent this decline by reviewing the information periodically. When we do this, we can increase the strength of the memory.

If you're a visual learner, here's what it looks like:

So, when should you review the subject matter?

At first, it helps to review things often – for example, you may want to review something daily at first, then bi-weekly, and then weekly until you're confident you won't forget it.

Again, look to your preferred learning style to help you. For example:

• Visual learners could draw a storyboard or sketch their memory palace.
• Auditory learners could tell their story aloud or describe walking through their memory palace.
• Reading/writing learners could write their story down and review it regularly.
• Kinesthetic learners could act out the story or walk through their memory palace in real life.

You may also want to review material late in the evening before bed.

Why? Studies show that people who study before bedtime can often remember more of what they learn a day later. Plus, they also felt more confident about their answers.

Summary: How to Memorize Quickly 

If you want to learn how to memorize fast, repetition alone won't cut it – you have to be strategic.

Start by identifying how you learn best. Are you a visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic learner?

Then, understand the three 'R's of memorization (registration, retention, and recall) and put them to work:

• First, encode the information in your mind using a mnemonic device, such as the substitution method. 
• Link this information to a story or memory palace to ensure you can easily recall it later.
• Practice spaced repetition to combat the forgetting curve and retain the information.

What are you trying to learn? What is the best way to memorize something for you?

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The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay | Steps & Examples

An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.

There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content and length of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course requirements. However, most essays at university level are argumentative — they aim to persuade the reader of a particular position or perspective on a topic.

The essay writing process consists of three main stages:

• Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline.
• Writing : Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion.
• Revision:  Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar, spelling, and formatting of your essay.

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Table of contents

Essay writing process, preparation for writing an essay, writing the introduction, writing the main body, writing the conclusion, essay checklist, lecture slides, frequently asked questions about writing an essay.

The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay .

For example, if you’ve been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you’ll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay , on the other hand, you’ll need to spend more time researching your topic and developing an original argument before you start writing.

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Before you start writing, you should make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to say and how you’re going to say it. There are a few key steps you can follow to make sure you’re prepared:

• Understand your assignment: What is the goal of this essay? What is the length and deadline of the assignment? Is there anything you need to clarify with your teacher or professor?
• Define a topic: If you’re allowed to choose your own topic , try to pick something that you already know a bit about and that will hold your interest.
• Do your research: Read  primary and secondary sources and take notes to help you work out your position and angle on the topic. You’ll use these as evidence for your points.
• Come up with a thesis:  The thesis is the central point or argument that you want to make. A clear thesis is essential for a focused essay—you should keep referring back to it as you write.
• Create an outline: Map out the rough structure of your essay in an outline . This makes it easier to start writing and keeps you on track as you go.

Once you’ve got a clear idea of what you want to discuss, in what order, and what evidence you’ll use, you’re ready to start writing.

The introduction sets the tone for your essay. It should grab the reader’s interest and inform them of what to expect. The introduction generally comprises 10–20% of the text.

1. Hook your reader

The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader’s interest and curiosity. This sentence is sometimes called the hook. It might be an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement emphasizing the relevance of the topic.

Let’s say we’re writing an essay about the development of Braille (the raised-dot reading and writing system used by visually impaired people). Our hook can make a strong statement about the topic:

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

2. Provide background on your topic

Next, it’s important to give context that will help your reader understand your argument. This might involve providing background information, giving an overview of important academic work or debates on the topic, and explaining difficult terms. Don’t provide too much detail in the introduction—you can elaborate in the body of your essay.

3. Present the thesis statement

Next, you should formulate your thesis statement— the central argument you’re going to make. The thesis statement provides focus and signals your position on the topic. It is usually one or two sentences long. The thesis statement for our essay on Braille could look like this:

As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness.

4. Map the structure

In longer essays, you can end the introduction by briefly describing what will be covered in each part of the essay. This guides the reader through your structure and gives a preview of how your argument will develop.

The invention of Braille marked a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by blind and visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Write your essay introduction

The body of your essay is where you make arguments supporting your thesis, provide evidence, and develop your ideas. Its purpose is to present, interpret, and analyze the information and sources you have gathered to support your argument.

Length of the body text

The length of the body depends on the type of essay. On average, the body comprises 60–80% of your essay. For a high school essay, this could be just three paragraphs, but for a graduate school essay of 6,000 words, the body could take up 8–10 pages.

Paragraph structure

To give your essay a clear structure , it is important to organize it into paragraphs . Each paragraph should be centered around one main point or idea.

That idea is introduced in a  topic sentence . The topic sentence should generally lead on from the previous paragraph and introduce the point to be made in this paragraph. Transition words can be used to create clear connections between sentences.

After the topic sentence, present evidence such as data, examples, or quotes from relevant sources. Be sure to interpret and explain the evidence, and show how it helps develop your overall argument.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

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The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It should generally take up no more than 10–15% of the text . A strong essay conclusion :

• Returns to your thesis
• Ties together your main points
• Shows why your argument matters

A great conclusion should finish with a memorable or impactful sentence that leaves the reader with a strong final impression.

What not to include in a conclusion

To make your essay’s conclusion as strong as possible, there are a few things you should avoid. The most common mistakes are:

• Including new arguments or evidence
• Undermining your arguments (e.g. “This is just one approach of many”)
• Using concluding phrases like “To sum up…” or “In conclusion…”

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

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Checklist: Essay

My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length ).

My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic.

My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay.

I use paragraphs to structure the essay.

I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.

Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.

I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

My conclusion doesn’t just repeat my points, but draws connections between arguments.

I don’t introduce new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.

I have given an in-text citation for every quote or piece of information I got from another source.

I have included a reference page at the end of my essay, listing full details of all my sources.

My citations and references are correctly formatted according to the required citation style .

My essay has an interesting and informative title.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (e.g. font, page numbers, line spacing).

Your essay meets all the most important requirements. Our editors can give it a final check to help you submit with confidence.

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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Brain Power

15 effortless memorization tricks to remember anything.

The struggle is real!

With so much happening in life, it’s hard to remember the details. In particular, names, due dates, requirements and locations slip from the mind every so often. But the memorization tricks outlined in this article should ensure that you never forget stuff that matters.

I used to have a problem with remembering names and faces.

You see, I meet new people every day from around the globe and it’s just too many new names and faces for my mind to register.

But I’ll tell you this:

It’s certainly quite embarrassing to have coffee with somebody and not recognize them the next day.

The problem is that forgetting is such a passive action that you often have no control over it.

Let me explain:

When you forget something, it’s not like you’re actively trying to. It just… happens and that makes it hard to inhibit your forgetfulness.

I mean, how do you stop doing something that you’re not really doing?

So, I just accepted that this is how it is and I’m going to have to live with it.

But several embarrassing encounters later, I’ve consolidated a list of memorizing tips that worked like magic for me.

I’ve used them to overcome my problem of remembering people and their names which has helped me immensely in improving communication and collaboration within and outside of my company.

Now before we dive into the memorization tricks that I wanted to discuss with you, let’s first take a look at how and why we forget.

The Science of Forgetting

In 1885, Hermann Ebbinghaus put forth his theory that outlined the “Forgetting Curve”. [1] This curve shows how much information we retain after a certain amount of time has passed since initially memorizing it.

You might be a bit concerned about how valid this theory is, given that it was initially presented in the 19th century.

But in a 2015 analysis, scientists found that the Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve was completely accurate. [2]

Fascinatingly, the Forgetting Curve shows that just after a day of memorizing something, we remember about 30% of it.

Before we jump into the memorization tricks in this article, I’d first like to explain to you why you forget in the first place. Knowing the root cause of forgetfulness will help you apply the information that you gather.

When you initially learn something, your mind transfers it into the hypothetical short-term memory chamber.

Your brain doesn’t know which piece of information is important and which needs to be discarded. So, it waits for a signal that helps it recognize important pieces of information that it can then shift into the hypothetical long-term memory chamber.

One of the more obvious of such signals is repetition. As shown in the forgetting figure below, repetition can change the shape of the forgetting curve.

All the memorization tricks and tips in this article revolve around signaling the importance of memories to your mind so it can move that piece of information from the short-term memory chamber to the long-term one.

15 Memorization Tricks That Work

Enough of science; let’s get into the business end of this article. Here are 15 memorization tricks that work:

1. Say it 3 Times

This is one of the simplest learning methods that I’ve been using and it seems to yield some great results.

Make a habit of saying something 3 times as soon as you hear it. This will help you retain that information longer in your brain. In my case, when someone would tell me their name, I’d say it thrice under my breath. This signaled to my brain that this piece of information is important and I’d like to remember it.

2. Link it to an Established Long-Term Memory

What if you already have something in your long-term memory that you can link your new piece of information to?

Imagine this:

There’s a piece of information that resides deep in your hypothetical long-term memory chamber. Once you claim a new memory, you stick it to the old one.

What do you think will happen?

Of course, the new memory will retain better because of the strong memory that you linked it to.

For instance, people set their 4-digit pin codes for their birthdates (or their spouse’s) all the time. It’s easier to remember because they have an already established link in their mind that’s probably never going to break.

3. Type Away

Writing something down is a common memorizing trick that works for many.

The problem?

You almost never have a pen and paper close at hand when you need it.

So here, I decided to go a bit unconventional and use technology to my advantage.

I started typing notes on my phone that I’d revisit before sleeping.

A lot of times, I wouldn’t even have to revisit my notes because the mere act of typing them would help me retain that memory.

But if typing it out doesn’t help, rereading it at night surely will.

4. Spaced Repetition

As mentioned above, further research on the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve showed that it’s best to revise a piece of information after a certain amount of time as it helps your mind retain it better.

Now, what a lot of people do is that they try to repeat or revise a memory as soon as they attain it.

But research shows that it’s useless to adopt that strategy. The goal isn’t to avoid forgetting that memory; it’s to forget it so you can relearn and solidify its roots in your brain.

The same research suggested 4 repetitions; around 20 mins, 50 mins, 9 hours and 5 days after memorizing something. [3]

But it might not be practical to revisit a memory in that fashion. So, as we recommend in our article on Spaced Repetition , just revise an important memory 24-36 hours after initially learning it and you should see 90% above retention rates.

5. Grasp the Concept

Back in college, rote learning never seemed to work for me.

No matter how many times I’d repeat a phrase and try to learn it by heart, I’d have completely forgotten it by the next day.

So I tried to memorize the concept, not the words.

This worked great for me back then and still works well when I’m trying to understand the mechanics of a company or a business.

6. Interleaved Practice

If you mix it up, you’ll see better results in memorization.

Most people, when they’re trying to memorize or learn something, keep working at it until it’s all done or perfect.

It doesn’t make much sense if you leave a memorization task in the middle right? Wrong!

Research shows that if you learn two different things at once, you’ll learn them better. This is called interleaved practice.

Now that are 2 reasons why interleaved practice shows spectacular resuLts:

Similar memories get mixed up in the brain

Interleaved practice makes it harder to recall a memory. And the harder the practice session, the better your results!

7. Use Storytelling

Without a doubt, storytelling is one of the most powerful skills that one can master.

And the reason is simple:

Stories captivate us like nothing else.

Look at all the forms of entertainment that we have nowadays and you’ll see storytelling in each one of them; movies, songs, music videos, video games, vlogs… the list goes on.

The reason is simple:

Our brain is obsessed with stories.

So the next time you’re trying to memorize something, try creating a story in your head that would help you remember it.

8. Record Your Audio

Here’s another fantastic memorizing trick that puts technology to great use.

When you’re trying to memorize something, just audio record yourself on the phone and listen to it on repeat.

You don’t need to do this for long. In fact, about 15-20 minutes of listening to yourself should be more than enough.

This is especially useful for auditory learners .

9. Create Parts

What if I tell you to memorize this number in 20 seconds:

I’m sure that sounds like a daunting task.

But what about:

583-957-304

This looks easier although both numbers are essentially the same.

The only difference in both numbers is that the second one has two dashes. Now, the dashes themselves aren’t significant. What’s significant is the fact that the dashes break the number into 3 parts.

When you break the number, it becomes easier to remember. Your brain can then focus on individual parts and consolidate them in the end.

In fact, this memorization technique is pretty much a setup to trick your mind into thinking the task is easier than it actually is.

So, the next time you’re learning something extensive, create parts out of it and focus on each part individually.

10. Focus on Keywords

I like to use this method in conjunction with “Grasping the Concept”.

You see, there are just some things that require word-for-word learning.

And if you’re not good at it, then learning keywords becomes your last option.

It’s likely that you’ve used this technique if you buy the groceries. All you do is memorize keywords like “6 eggs” but never “buy half a dozen eggs” because the rest of all the words contribute nothing (or very little) to the message.

11. Say it out Aloud

Here’s another learning trick for auditory learners:

Say your words out aloud.

I’m a firm believer that the more senses you stimulate while learning, the better you’ll learn.

This means that reading alone (using your visual sense only) is not nearly as effective as speaking your words while you read them because it stimulates your sense of hearing as well.

Ideally, you’d want to use this technique with writing or typing.

12. Retain While You Sleep

Did you know that sleeping could help improve your memory?

Well, researchers from Matthew P. Walker and Robert Stickgold sure think so. In their research, “Sleep, Memory and Plasticity”, they maintain that sleep has a major role in “memory consolidation” and “memory reconsolidation”. [4] .

Another research published in Current Opinion in Neurology shows that, [5]

“Sleep is important for optimal learning.”

By that logic, memorizing just before you go to sleep is a nice way of strengthening that memory. While you sleep, your brain should work on that memory’s consolidation and reconsolidation.

Also, it’s important to get a good amount of sleep in for improving memory in general.

13. Challenge Yourself

Most people think that memorizing is all about reading and speaking.

And that’s partly why they aren’t particularly good at it.

Most of the time, we’re trying to memorize something all day but when the right time comes, our memory fails to support us.

A good way to eliminate that problem is to test yourself in the middle of the day.

Challenge yourself in the middle of the day to recall what you’re trying to learn. It doesn’t necessarily need to be in a learning environment. In fact, you could try recalling while you’re in the elevator, having lunch or walking to your office.

14. Mnemonics

Mnemonics have been for ages to learn a list of words in order.

And the only reason why they’ve stood the test of time is that they work.

In this method, you list out the first letter of each word and then try creating a sentence/phrase out of them that can be memorized.

A common example is the “Roy G. Biv” mnemonic that’s used to memorize the colors of the rainbow (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet).

Although recent research on effective learning techniques ranked mnemonics as a low utility learning method, the only reason for that was that mnemonics don’t have a wide variety of applications in general learning. [6]

However, they work like magic if you’re trying to learn a foreign language or increase vocabulary.

15. Use a To-Do List App

The last memorizing trick on our list is to use a To-Do List app .

A lot of these apps come with the added functionality of displaying your notes on the home screen of your phone.

A lot of others come with a sticky notification of that note that appears 24/7 on your phone.

By typing what you want to memorize in that note, you can then read it again every time you use your phone.

And if you’re anything like the common man, this memorization trick should give you the opportunity to review your memory multiple times in the day.

If you tend to forget easily, start trying these memorizing tricks. They’ve changed my life and will change yours too!

More to Boost Your Memory

• How to Build a Memory Palace to Remember More of Everything
• 7 Simple Things You Can Do to Improve Short Term Memory
• 10 Scientific Ways to Improve Your Long Term Memory

Featured photo credit: Sincerely Media via unsplash.com

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How to Memorise an Entire Essay or Speech

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How to memorise a complete essay or speech

Christmas and New year is over and for some there looms the prospect of mid  term exams. A lot of these exams will be closed book exams. A closed  book exam tests your knowledge and memory of a subject. One of the ways  in which some students prepare is to actively learn the subject areas and also  look at past questions and anticipate a question which might come up. At  the moment my wife is studying for exams in which she is actively learning  her subjects and also she has written 3 x 500 word essays on the three areas  of study.

Together we have come up with a system which means that she can memorise a  500 word essay in 1 day and 3 x 500 word essays in 3 days. Together with  actively learning the subject she is confident that she has prepared well.

In this article I will show you the system we came up with to memorise 1500 words verbatim. Sound hard? It is actually quite easy and is a system I used when at university studying for my psychology degree for 2 x 1000 word essays.

This method can also be used for memorising any kind of written work or speech.

Before you begin

Before you begin this it is important to actually believe that you can memorise  a complete essay or speech whether it be 500 words or 2000 words. When  I first suggested using this method to my wife she said that she would never  be able to memorise an essay word for word.

Once she got over this and started telling herself that she could do it we started.

Active learning

First off, this method of memorising an essay should not be substituted for  actively learning a subject. Active learning is when you read, not skim,  the subject area and take note of the key points. Cross reading is also  very good for active learning. This is when you read books on the subjects  by different authors. Some authors are not good at getting information across  so cross reading is an excellent way learning.

The method for memorising an essay or speech.

You will need to write out the essay or speech first. Treat this part  of the process as if you were writing an essay to hand in for marking by your  lecturer. In other words make sure it is worthy of memorising.

When you have written the essay make sure it is grammatically correct as you will be memorising every comma and full stop.

When you are sure you have a good essay or speech print it off and mark down  the left margin the number of paragraphs e.g. if you have 6 paragraphs write  at the side of each paragraph the numbers 1 "“ 6. In the right hand  margin write the number of sentences in each paragraph. This is the first  part of the memorisation process.

A quiet place to study

Now, make sure you have quiet space to be able to read, walk and vocalise  your essay. When you are sure you will not be interrupted you can start.

With your printed essay start walking and reading out loud the essay or speech. When  you have read it out loud a few times go back to the first sentence and read  it out loud. Then read it again and again until you have memorised it. When  you are confident you have memorised it word for word go on to the next sentence. When  you have memorised the second sentence, whilst walking vocalise the first two  sentences without looking at your printed essay. If you are okay  with this go on to do the same with your 3rd sentence and so on until you have  memorised your first full paragraph. This can take anywhere between 15 "“ 45  depending on motivation, alertness, quietness etc.

The reason I ask you to walk is to keep your blood flowing whilst memorising. If  you are sitting down you might nod off, by walking it will prevent you from  nodding off. I find walking up and down an excellent way to concentrate  on reading.

Keep reading, and vocalising your essay or speech until you have memorised  it completely. When you are confident of having memorised it. Vocalise  it without looking at your printed sheet. If you get it right, do it  again, and if you get it right a second time reward yourself with a cup of  tea or coffee or whatever is your want and leave it for a few hours.

When a few hours have passed go back to the essay, read it out loud whilst  walking and looking at the printed sheet and then try to memorise it again.

Once you are confident that you have memorised it completely, at the bottom  of the page write down the first few words of each sentence of your essay,  separated by a comma, and number each line for each paragraph. When you  have done that put in the number of sentences at the end of the list and bracket  it.

For example if I was writing out the first few words of this article for the  first 3 paragraphs it would look like this;

• Christmas and New year, A lot of, A closed book, One of the, At the moment (5)
• Together we have, Together with actively (2)
• In this article, sound hard? (2)

Now what you should do is only look at the list at the bottom of the paper  and read out from that whilst walking. This way you are only looking  at the first few words and finishing the sentence without looking at it. If  you get stuck just go back to the main essay and look at it, until you have  got it completely.

Now memorise the bottom of the sheet of paper with the first few words of  the essay and how many sentences are in each paragraph. This should only  take 10-15 minutes at the most.

This sounds a very convoluted way of memorising an essay but it is a lot easier  than it reads here.

Time taken to memorise

You should be able to memorise a full 500 word essay in about  3 hours, for your first time, using the above method. When you are practiced  you should be able to memorise a 500 word essay in about 60 "“ 90 minutes.

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Steven Aitchison is the author of The Belief Principle and an online trainer teaching personal development and online business.  He is also the creator of this blog which has been running since August 2006.

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Home > Blog > 7 Best Ways to Shorten an Essay

7 Best Ways To Shorten an Essay

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the best ways you can shorten your essay:

1. Use Artificial intelligence

When we talk about academic writing, artificial intelligence (AI) can be a game changer, especially when it comes to reducing the length of your essays.

Tools like Smodin can help make your content more concise while enhancing overall quality. AI can help you shorten your essay through the following methods:

• Automated rewriting : AI rewriting tools can reformulate existing content to make it more straightforward while maintaining the original meaning.
• Sentence simplification : Algorithms can analyze your sentences and suggest simpler alternatives, helping eliminate redundant information and reduce word count.
• Research assistance : Certain platforms have AI-powered research tools that allow you to quickly gather the most relevant information. This ensures that every word in your essay contributes to your argument without unnecessary fillers.
• Plagiarism check : Ensuring your essay is plagiarism-free is crucial. For example, Smodin’s plagiarism detection tools help you identify and replace copied content with original, concise expressions.
• Instant feedback : Receive real-time suggestions on how to streamline your text, focusing on the essentials to effectively communicate your message.
• Reference generation : Automatically generate and insert citations in the correct format, which helps save you time while maintaining the academic integrity of your essay and keeping it short.

2. Identify Unnecessary Words and Remove Them

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to shorten your essay is by identifying and eliminating unnecessary words.

This approach helps decrease word count and sharpens your arguments, making your writing more compelling. You can identify and remove extra words by doing the following:

• Spot wordy phrases : Often, phrases can be condensed without losing meaning. For example, the phrase “due to the fact that” can be replaced with “because.” Be on the lookout for wordy phrases that increase word count needlessly.
• Remove unnecessary prepositional phrases : Prepositional phrases can be redundant or add unnecessary detail. Evaluate whether these phrases add value or just extra words. Cutting them can make sentences more direct.
• Avoid redundancies : Redundant pairs like “absolutely essential” or “future plans” can be reduced to one word without losing informational value.
• Trim excess adjectives and adverbs : Adjectives and adverbs can make writing better but can also lead to over-description. Use them sparingly, especially when they don’t contribute additional meaning to the nouns and verbs they modify.
• Fewer words; more impact : Aim for brevity by using fewer words to express the same idea. This will help to reduce the word count while making your writing more impactful and clear.

3. Tighten Sentence Structure

Tightening your sentence structure is crucial for making your essay more concise and readable. Use active voice to make your writing clearer and more dynamic. This is especially important in academic writing, where you have to get to the point quickly.

In academic essays, shifting from passive voice to active voice can shorten and strengthen your sentences. For example, instead of writing, “The experiment was conducted by the students,” you can say, “The students conducted the experiment.” This reduces the number of words and places the action directly with the subject, making your sentences more direct.

Combining two separate sentences into one can streamline your ideas and reduce redundancies. Look for opportunities where sentences can be merged without losing their significance. For example, “He wrote the book. It became a bestseller.” can be rephrased as “He wrote the book, which became a bestseller.”

Also, avoid unnecessary qualifiers and modifiers that don’t add substantial information. Sentences often become bogged down with these extras, making them cluttered and long.

4. Conduct Thorough Research

When writing essays, extensive research can make the final output a lot shorter. Effective research helps you gather precise information that’s relevant to your topic. This means you’ll write more directly and avoid needless elaboration. Here’s how you can conduct research effectively:

• Define the scope of your research : Determine what information is essential to the argument. This initial step will help you focus your research efforts and prevent irrelevant data.
• Identify key sources : Begin with scholarly databases and academic journals that offer peer-reviewed articles. These sources provide credible, authoritative information that can be crucial for academic writing.
• Use precise keywords : When searching for information, use specific keywords related to your essay topic. Precision here will help find the most relevant articles and studies, reducing time spent on unnecessary reading.
• Evaluate sources : Assess the relevance and reliability of each source. Check the publication date to ensure the information is current and relevant to your topic.
• Take notes efficiently : As you research, jot down important points, quotes, and references. Organize these notes according to the sections in your essay to make writing faster.
• Synthesize information : Combine information from multiple sources to build a strong argument. This will allow you to write comprehensively and with fewer words, as each sentence carries more weight.

5. Improve Your Paragraph Structure

Streamlining paragraphs can make your essay shorter and more digestible for the reader. With a well-structured paragraph, you can focus on a single idea supported by concise statements.

Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that clearly states the main idea. This sentence sets the direction and tone, letting the reader know what to expect. It also helps ensure that every following sentence relates directly to the main idea.

Condense supporting information by merging ideas that logically coexist within a single sentence or phrase. After that, evaluate each sentence for its contribution to the paragraph’s main idea. Remove any information that is repeated or goes into too much detail.

Focus on providing evidence and explanations that directly support the main point. You should also end each paragraph with a sentence that reinforces the main idea and potentially links to the next paragraph. This creates smooth transitions and keeps the essay focused and cohesive.

6. Refine the Introduction and Conclusion

These sections frame your essay and influence how your arguments are perceived. Here are some ways to keep them concise yet effective.

The introduction should be engaging and concise, clearly stating the purpose and scope of your essay. Begin with a hook that grabs the reader’s attention, followed by background information that sets the context. Incorporate your thesis statement early on, ideally at the end of the intro.

The conclusion needs to reinforce the thesis. Summarize key points in the essay and show how they support the thesis. Provide a final thought that leaves the reader with something to ponder.

Also, remember to keep it tight – the conclusion isn’t a place for introducing new ideas. It should wrap up the ones you presented and prompt the reader to pose their own questions.

7. Edit and Proofread

Keep your essay concise and error-free by allocating ample time for editing and proofreading. These processes scrutinize your work at different levels, from the overall structure to word choices and punctuation. Here’s how you can go about it:

Start by reading through your entire paper to get a feel for its flow and coherence. Check if all paragraphs support your thesis statement and if section transitions are smooth. This will help you spot areas where the argument might be weak, or wording could be clearer.

Focus next on paragraph structure. Ensure each paragraph sticks to one main idea and that all sentences directly support the idea. Remove any repetitive or irrelevant sentences that don’t add value.

Then, look for clarity and style. Replace complex words with simpler alternatives to maintain readability. Keep your tone consistent throughout the paper. Adjust the sentence length and structure to enhance the flow and make it more engaging.

Proofreading

Proofreading comes after editing. The focus here is catching typing errors, grammatical mistakes, and inconsistent formatting. It’s always best to proofread with fresh eyes, so consider taking a break before this step.

Use tools like spell checkers, but don’t rely solely on them. Read your essay aloud or have someone else review it. Hearing the words can help you catch errors you may have missed.

Lastly, check for punctuation errors and ensure all citations and references are formatted according to the required academic style. This and all of the above are areas in which AI can help get the job done with speed and precision.

Why You Might Need to Shorten Your Essay

Ever heard the expression “less is more”? When it comes to academic writing, it normally is. Keeping your essays concise offers several benefits:

• Enhances clarity : A shorter essay forces you to focus on the main points and critical arguments, reducing the risk of going off-topic. This clarity makes your writing more impactful and easier for the reader to follow.
• Meets word limits : Many academic assignments have a maximum word count. Learning to express your thoughts concisely helps you stay within these limits without sacrificing essential content.
• Saves time : For both the writer and the reader, shorter essays take less time to write, revise, and read. This efficiency is especially valuable in academic settings where time is usually limited.
• Increases engagement : Readers are more likely to stay engaged with a document that gets to the point quickly. Lengthy texts can deter readers, especially if the content has unnecessary words or redundant points.
• Improves writing skills : Shortening essays helps refine your writing skills. You become better at identifying and eliminating fluff, focusing instead on what really adds value to your paper.

Overall, adopting a more succinct writing style helps you meet academic requirements and polish your communication skills.

Why Use Smodin To Shorten an Essay

Using AI-powered platforms like Smodin to shorten your essay is both the simplest and the least time-consuming method available. Here’s why you should probably make Smodin your go-to essay shortener:

• Efficiency : Smodin eases the editing process, using advanced algorithms to quickly identify areas where content can be condensed without losing meaning.
• Accuracy : With its powerful AI, Smodin ensures that the essence of your essays stays intact while getting rid of unnecessary words, making your writing more precise.
• Ease of use : Smodin is user-friendly, making it accessible even to those who aren’t the most tech-savvy. Its easy-to-grasp interface allows for seamless navigation and operation.

Smodin’s offerings

• Rewriter : Available in over 50 languages, this tool helps rewrite text to be more concise.
• Article Writer : Assists in drafting articles that are crisp and to the point.
• Plagiarism and Auto Citation : Ensures your essay is original and correctly cited, which is crucial in academic writing.
• Language Detection : Identifies the language of the text, ensuring the right adjustments are made for clarity.

All these tools and more are what make Smodin an excellent choice for academics looking to reduce the length of their essays.

Final Thoughts

Word counts can be a real headache, especially when you need to say a lot with a little. Thankfully, by identifying unnecessary words, tightening your sentences, and using tools like Smodin, you can make your essay concise without losing its meaning. Remember, a shorter essay doesn’t just meet word limits; and it’s clear, more compelling, and more likely to keep your reader engaged.

Keep it short, keep it sweet, and make every word count! Get started for free right now with Smodin.

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How to Memorize

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ted Coopersmith, MBA . Ted Coopersmith is an Academic Tutor for Manhattan Elite Prep, a test prep and academic tutoring company based in New York City. In addition to general academic advising, Ted has expertise in preparing for the ACT, SAT, SSAT, and ASVAB tests. He also has over 30 years of financial controller advising and consulting experience. He holds a BA from the City University of New York (CUNY) and an MBA from Pace University. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,049,736 times.

Whether you have to memorize a long list of vocabulary words for a test, several lines for a play, or anything else, there are several ways to make the process easier. Start by priming your brain with strategies that boost memorization. Then, use effective techniques to memorize the material. You can use additional strategies to help you master the information.

Using Effective Memorization Strategies

• For example, “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.” This mnemonic is often used to help people remember the order of operations for solving algebra problems. P stands for parentheses, E-exponents, M-multiply, D-divide, A-add, and S-subtract in the sentence.
• A popular mnemonic device in the musical world is Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, which stands for the notes in the treble staff: EGBDF. [2] X Research source
• The fake name acronym ROY G BIV has long helped people remember the colours in the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. [3] X Research source

• If you need to memorize the names of 5 coworkers you have just met, think of an image that you can associate with each person's name.
• For example, you could associate Charlie with the image of the cartoon character Charlie Brown, Michael with an image of the archangel Michael, Cindy with iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford, Donna with a 50s doo-wop singer, and Herbert with a bowl of sherbet.

• If you are studying in a library, then make sure that you are in a section where some noise is permitted.

• Continue through the pile in this manner to memorize the information.

Tip : When you are studying, make sure to vary the types of information you study. For example, you might study vocabulary words for 20 minutes, then change gears to solving practice math problems for another 20 minutes, and then switch over to reading material in a textbook. This is an effective strategy for maintaining focus. [9] X Research source

• For example, after reading a paragraph on how the heart pumps blood, explain it to yourself briefly in 1 to 2 sentences.

• Color-coding your notes by topic.
• Memorizing a 3 to 4-word phrase or 3 to 4 numbers at a time.
• Focusing on the key terms in 1 paragraph or page in a textbook.

• In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
• Thirty days has September, April, June, and November.

• If you prefer, you can also record yourself reading the information and then listen to the recording repeatedly. This is a good option if you have a log commute or if you just learn better by hearing things.

Making the Information Stick

• For example, you could relate the material you need to memorize for a math test to the rules of baseball if you are a sports fan, or use a cooking analogy to help you remember a chemistry concept if you are a fan of cooking.

• For example, if you need to memorize 20 new vocabulary words for a test, then you might only need to study for 30 minutes per day over the course of a week.
• However, if you need to memorize lines for a leading role in a play, then you will need to start memorizing 3 to 4 weeks in advance and plan to study your lines for at least an hour daily.

• For example, if you need to be able to explain photosynthesis for a science test, then see if you can do this without checking your notes first.
• If you need to be able to recite a poem from memory, then try to recite it.

Tip : If you enjoy teaching others, you might consider working as a tutor. This is a great way to help other people learn and solidify the concepts in your own mind as well.

Priming Your Brain for Memorization

• You don't have to get in a long workout to reap the benefits of exercise for better memorization. Even taking a 15-minute walk before you start studying can help. [19] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
• Doing 20 minutes of yoga before working on memorizing something is another great way to boost your brain function. [20] X Research source

• You can drink green tea hot or iced.

• If you have trouble staying focused, try setting small goals and rewarding yourself with a short break each time you meet one of them. For example, you could make it your goal to focus on studying for 25 minutes, and then reward yourself with a 5 minute break.

Tip : Check out apps for avoiding distractions. You can download an app that will reward you for not checking social media or other outlets on your phone, such as by creating an interesting animation the longer you go without closing the app.

• For example, you could work on memorizing at around 2 or 3 pm.

• Try going to bed a little earlier than you normally do, such as 10:00 pm if you normally got to bed at 10:30 pm.
• Make your bedroom a relaxing space that you only use for sleep. Don't work, eat, or do other daytime activities in your bedroom.

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Tips from our Readers

• Build up memorization slowly instead of cramming everything at the last minute. Read a paragraph a few times, summarizing it aloud, before you move on to the next one. Gradual retention as you go tends to stick better in your mind.
• When you study in a group, have each person tackle explaining a couple concepts to the others. Dividing up the work this way allows you all to cover more material in-depth. Plus teaching it reinforces memorization.
• Struggling with memorization can be discouraging. Read some inspirational quotes or give yourself short pep talks to stay determined and confident. Keeping the faith in your abilities makes a real difference.
• Apply some positive reinforcement to keep yourself motivated. Memorize intensely for 10 minutes straight, then reward your efforts with 5 minutes of a favorite show or a tasty snack before repeating.
• Jot down the trickiest vocabulary words or facts on your wrist or palm for handy visual reminders to review repeatedly throughout the day. Having them right there makes memorizing easier.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/enhancing-your-memory/
• ↑ https://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/capsules/outil_bleu04.html
• ↑ https://www.scientificminds.com/blog/whatever-happened-to-roy-g-biv-kathy-reeves-115.aspx
• ↑ Ted Coopersmith, MBA. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-in-world/200911/eight-ways-remember-anything
• ↑ https://usm.maine.edu/agile/using-flashcards
• ↑ https://medicine.llu.edu/academics/resources/using-mnemonic-devices-make-memorization-easier
• ↑ https://www.snexplores.org/article/handwriting-better-for-notes-memory-typing
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/
• ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110
• ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23795769
• ↑ https://www.academia.edu/3145421/The_Acute_Effects_of_Yoga_on_Executive_Function
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/how-to-improve-your-memory.htm
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4114291/
• ↑ http://www.scielo.br/pdf/bjmbr/v41n6/7019.pdf

About This Article

To memorize something, figure out what learning style works best for you. You can be an auditory, visual or tactile learner. If you’re more of an auditory learner, try repeating whatever it is you want to memorize out loud to yourself over and over again. Or, you can listen to a recording of it on repeat. Alternatively, if you're a visual learner, try creating images using the information you’re trying to memorize, or rewriting your notes several times. You can also color code a hard copy of the information using highlighters so it’s easier to learn. On the other hand, if you're a tactile or kinesthetic learner, try using physical objects, like flashcards, stickers, and paper cut-outs. Additionally, you can act out whatever it is you’re trying to memorize so it sticks in your mind better. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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