Would you like to learn how to memorize anything you need to quickly and easily? If your an swer is yes, then this column is for you.
I learned this recently and have been using it with success in order to memorize scripture.
I find that memorizing Bible verses calms and settles me, and is better than anything to foster mental health and peace of mind. This system is commonly used by actors when memorizing their lines. If you need to memorize anything, give it a try.
Here is how this method works.
The first step is to read over what ever you would like to memorize a few times. This is ideally done in groups of three. It seems that reading once puts the material in our brains. When reading a second time, our brains assume we have accidently repeated something. But if we read something a third time, our brains take note that this is a pattern and the material is something you’ll likely need again. I try to read over material three times, or six times, or even nine times, to get the words lodged in my brain.
The next step is to write down the first letter of each word, in cluding capital letters and punctuation. It’s best to write this out by hand on paper. Index cards work well for this.
Then, read your passage using the first letter only. The first let ter works like a trigger to help your mind retrieve each word.
After practicing several times reading the first letters, then you can try it from memory without looking. With consistent review, you will quickly find that you have memorized your passage. Recently I shared this with my mother-in-law who is 93 years old. She was trying to memorize a passage. Within a short period of time she was able to repeat from memory the passage she was working on.
To test this method, you can try the following… Below is the opening paragraph from Red Wind, by Raymond Chandler.
“There was a dry wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like this ev- ery booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives finger the edge of the carving knife and study their husband’s necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge.”
Read this passage several times. Then cover the complete passage and using the first letters of each word below, try to recite the words.
Twadwbtn. Iw oothdSAtcdtt mpacyhamynj aysi. Onltebpe Iaf. Mlwfteotc kasthn. Ach. Y cegafgobaacl.
Were you successful?
This memorization system is called transport-appropriate processing. It maximizes your rate of recall. The first letters of each word are cognitive clues that instantly link to your memory storage and pull information into your working memory.
I discovered this method after watching a YouTube video by Nelson Dellis entitled – How to Memorize Lines Instantly (Seriously).
To review, here is the process: 1. Read over material a few times.
2. Write down the first letter of each word – include capitals and punctuation.
3. Read using the first letter only.
4. Try it again from memory. This method really works.
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