MEPX
Chapter 9 of 10All chapters
  1. 1How memory works
  2. 2Working memory
  3. 3Retrieval practice
  4. 4Spacing and interleaving
  5. 5Sleep and consolidation
  6. 6Study myths
  7. 7Understanding and elaboration
  8. 8Learning skills
  9. 9Memory techniques
  10. 10Putting it together

Chapter 9 of 10

Memory techniques

When memorising is the goal.

Mnemonics

Acronyms, rhymes, the method of loci and vivid imagery all work by giving arbitrary material a structure. Competitive memorisers rely almost entirely on them.

  • They help with lists and sequences, not with understanding.
  • The stranger the image, the better it sticks.

Chunking

Grouping items into meaningful units expands what working memory can hold. Expert recall in chess and music is largely chunking rather than raw capacity.