Chapter 1. Mnemonics Basics: Number-Shape Pegging Method
I started off trying to find a means to enhance memory for learning. Along the way, I realized that mnemonics are as ancient as the history of education can be traced back. As the years go by, I build foundations using one system on top of another. This system is so easy that when taught in the right way, very young kids learn and developed the ability.
How to use the Number/Shape Pegging Technique
This technique works by helping you to build up pictures in your mind, in which the numbers are represented by images shaped like the number, and are part of a compound image that also codes the thing to be remembered.
3 fundamental principles underlying the use of mnemonics are:
1.Association
2.Imagination
3.Location
As follows are some suggested associations that you can use:
Here is an example application:
For example, you are given a list to remember:
1.Zebra
2.Fish
3.Milk
4.Bottle
5.Drawer
6.Fork
7.Beef
8.Dog
9.Sheep
10.Egg
11.Bananas
Here is how you can use the number-shape pegging method.
1.Zebra — a zebra is using your expensive pen to draw stripes on itself.
2.Fish — The fish is peeping out of the water, it has plans to eat the swan. (Feel the fear of the swan)
3.Milk — milk is coming out from someone’s butt.
4.Bottle — a ship that looks like a bottle has a big sail.
5.Drawer — a hook has pierced though the drawer causing bad damage. The drawer is also ripped out from the table. Alternatively, if you use the cup, imagine a desk with a chest of drawers in the form of cups (that is quite an innovative design).
6.Fork — elephant is feeding itself with a giant fork.
7.Beef — the flag is made from BBQ beef. (you should be able to smell the aroma)
8.Dog — the snowman is playing fetch with a dog using its arm as fetch stick.
9.Sheep — a sheep is making a fence with a series of broken rackets wired together.
10.Egg — you are playing baseball, and you broke a giant egg. (The unpleasant smell of the egg, and having it splashed all over you, should give you an unforgettable experience.)
11.Bananas — the chopsticks look like a pair of bananas.
Try it out. Now randomly, pick the index numbers, who’s got the object? Can you remember?
Guidelines
When you are creating a mnemonic, e.g. an image or story to remember a telephone number, the following pointers can be used to make the mnemonic more memorable:
1.Use provocative imaging, either positive, pleasant images or disturbing ones. The brain may block out unpleasant ones, however, if the brain is provoked, there will be an ‘impression’ — which is what you want. If the brain is not excited, it will not get the ‘impression’. Fundamentally, you want the image to be ‘impressed’ and embedded, so that you can clearly ‘see’ it upon the recall for retrieval.
2.Exaggerate the size of important parts of the image
3.Use humor (perhaps linked with point 2)! Funny or peculiar things are easier to remember than normal ones.
4.Similarly rude or sexual or tantalizing rhymes are harder to forget!
5.Symbols (e.g. red traffic lights, pointing fingers, etc.) can be used in mnemonics.
6.Vivid, colorful images are easier to remember than drab ones.
7.Use all the senses to code information or dress up an image. Remember that your mnemonic can contain sounds, smells, tastes, touch, movements and feelings as well as pictures.
8.Bringing 3 dimensional and movement to an image makes it more vivid. Movement can be used either to maintain the flow of association, or can help to remember actions.
9.Locate similar mnemonics in different places with backgrounds of those places. This will help to keep similar images distinct and unconfused.
10.The important thing is that the mnemonic should clearly relate to the thing being remembered, and that it should be vivid enough to be clearly remembered whenever you think about it
Epilogue For Chapter 1
Memory, like wine, has to be seasoned and fermented to elicit out the strongest savor and scent. Learn to enrich the mnemonic emotive details, like a painter concocting the rich colors for his/ her magnum opus.
Let’s try the method on learning Morse code.
`At The Back Of Your Head: An Insight To Mnemonics`, Chapter 2
Once it gets easy, you will see how one method can be used to learn a more advanced method — `Centum Amici` System.
`At The Back Of Your Head: An Insight To Mnemonics`, Chapter 3
`At The Back Of Your Head: An Insight To Mnemonics`, a series on Mnemonics, including a new method released.
“Attaining a phenomenal memory as one step towards creating the Savant syndrome.”
Chapter 1. Mnemonics Basics: Number-Shape Pegging Method
Chapter 2. Using Number Shape Method To Learn The Morse Code
Chapter 3. ‘Centum Amici’ System (The ‘100 Friends’ method)
Chapter 4. Using Centum Amici System To Remember Numbers
Chapter 5. Using Centum Amici System To Remember The Periodic Table
Chapter 6. Using Extended Sub-System of `Centum Amici` System to Learn Anatomy
Chapter 7. The Art and The Science of Mnemonics
Chapter 8. Learning Mental Imaging
Chapter 9. Mind-map and Loci-Method
Chapter 10. Solidify Your Mental Storage
Chapter 11. Conclusion in Hindsight
Appendix 01: Using Centum Amici System And Loci Method In Remembering Cards
You are not supposed to just know, you are supposed to — become.
— Mi’kail Eli’yah
