Mnemonic Techniques

All the mnemonic techniques they serve us for strengthen knowledge through tricks that we can learn easily and that will be very useful when studying.

What are mnemonic techniques?

These resources are framed in the field of study techniques that the student has at their disposal. This type of technique is especially useful for remembering data that must be learned by heart. For example, dates, names of historical figures, or a list of related concepts. It is not about applying this way of learning and reviewing to any type of information. It is convenient to contextualize the use of this tool to use it with a specific objective: memorize complex terms in a simpler and more fun way.

What is a mnemonic and examples?

After having explained what the mnemonic techniques, we list examples that you can put into practice:

• Word association. This technique consists of establishing a link between two terms. On the one hand, the data you want to learn. And on the other, that word that is familiar to you. By observing some relationship of similarity between both concepts, you can establish this word game.
• Story Technique. Telling stories is a universal form of communication. Short stories are remembered more clearly, even when transmitted through oral tradition. Well, this format also has a practical utility as a memorization technique. For this, it is necessary to give a common context to different terms that are perfectly framed in the nexus of history. In short, write a short story with the words you want to review. It is important that you use your imagination to create a story. Some specific data in the argument may not be very logical, but the important thing is that this formula helps you achieve the initial objective. In the field of literature, fantasy shows aspects that are not present in reality. So use your imagination in this creative writing exercise.
• Acrostic. This term refers to a poetic composition. In this poem, the letters of a noun or a verb begin at the beginning of each verse. In this way, by reading the letters that are positioned at the beginning of each line, it is possible to find the main word. As we have indicated in the previous example, the storytelling technique is essential to learn different concepts. In this case, on the contrary, the acrostic is more specific to a particular word.
• Rimas. Continuing with the poetic inspiration that we started in the previous section, there are other characteristics of this literary genre that have practical utility in relation to this topic. It is likely that at this stage of your life you still remember some of the poems you learned in childhood or those songs with simple melodies that you were taught at school. Why do you remember that information so clearly while the same does not happen with other data? The musicality of these rhyming compositions makes them especially catchy. Taking this specific example as a reference, you can use this formula to memorize some words. It establishes a connection between concepts that have a similar ending. Learn the rhymes as if it were a game that reminds you of your childhood.
• Loci method. This is one of the most used rules for learning data. As you can see through the examples exposed so far, although each tool is different, they all have some characteristics in common. There is a relationship of concepts used with an intentional purpose: to facilitate the learning process of content. And what is the essence of this specific tool? In this case, the words that the student wants to learn are in direct relation to places or objects. It is especially important that you use an environment that is well known to you as a reference, for example, your neighborhood, your house or your street. From the images you perceive in that immediate environment, establish a connection between the words and what you perceive around you.
• Acronyms. You are probably familiar with acronyms that you can see in newspapers and also in academic texts. This word refers to those short formulas that essentially contain more extensive information. For example, the RAE refers to the Royal Spanish Academy. Therefore, following this idea, you can use the acronym formula to create a word from the initials of the terms you want to learn.
• Establish personal references. Each student is unique and this is something that is also revealed in the study process. It is very important for a student to study from their own notes. Similarly, the mnemonic rules take on this point of view. From your own references and life experiences you can establish relationships between the new information and other familiar aspects. If you want to learn a name that is difficult for you to memorize, put it in connection with that of a friend who has the same name. You can also be inspired by places, experiences, movies, songs and everything that helps you because it has a special meaning for you.

What does the word mnemonic mean?

It is a practical method that, in short, has a simple structure. The most important thing about this rule is not its main characteristics, but the objective to be achieved. This is a means and as such must be related to the educational purpose. There are many other study techniques that expand the catalog of media that the student has at their disposal to prepare for an upcoming exam: summaries, concept maps, outlines, underline, read aloud...

It is important that you make effective use of all these resources. Reserve the mnemonic rules for learning terms that you must memorize and yet find it difficult to remember for some reason.