The ancient Greek orators developed various mnemonic devices or tricks to aid in memorization. The "Method of Loci" is a widely used technique for the memorization and recall of speeches and lectures. The information to be memorized is associated with physical locations such as rooms of a house or areas of a garden. The speaker visualizes the lecture as a house and the topic sections as rooms within the house. The rooms are then "filled" with the information in each topic. For example, a speech on history might begin as a mental walk through a house with each room dedicated to specific period of history. As the lecturer goes through the room in his mind, he discusses items (information) in that room with the audience. Lecturers often use their childhood home to mentally walk through in a presentation.
Many contemporary neuropsychologists view memory as a function of the entire nervous system, not limited to the brain. Drinking the daily recommended amount of water (eight 8-oz. glasses per day), exercising and maintaining a healthy diet is essential to peak neural functioning and memory.
If specific information is not focused on, there will be no information to store in memory. Limit distractions, remain focused on the information, and actively think about the information that is to be memorized.
Humans are visual thinkers. Scientists argue that our ability to recognize and remember faces and visual patterns is one of our greatest evolutionary resources for survival. By visualizing each word in a list, we greatly increase our retention and recall. When memorizing, bring a mental image of the information to mind.
Information always takes on meaning within a context. The meaning of the word "spell" changes in the context of a grammar teacher versus a sorcerer. Organizing words, facts, or ideas within a hierarchical context increases memorization. For example, memory of a specific year or date will increase when thought of within the context of a specific century or time period.
We remember things that matter to us. Asking yourself "How does this information matter to my life?" can greatly increase the memorization and recall of the material.
Laughing not only attaches an emotional charge to information, but it also increases oxygenation and flow of blood to the brain, which increases memory. Humor is one of the characteristics of the most celebrated and memorable teachers. Find something to laugh about in the information that is being memorized.
Repeated exposure to information over long periods of time is one of the best methods of memorization. Read the information multiple times, listen to the information from an audio lecture, and watch videos o the topic to be memorized. Memory is enhanced by repeated exposure to different presentations of the same information.