Write an outline of your speech or study guide. Include all the main points you need to cover, along with any supporting details or information.
Go through each of your main ideas and write them in dark ink across the top of your cards, one idea per card. Write on only one side of each card.
Flesh out your main ideas by writing short, supporting ideas below them in bullet-point format on each card. These should be simple phrases or even single words written in lighter ink. Each bullet point should be a mental key that will help you easily recall what you've memorized. Make sure there is plenty of white space around your writing, so that you can see the words clearly.
Number each card in the left-hand corner.
Rehearse your speech or review your study materials using only the cards, to make sure that you have covered all necessary areas of information.