Tutorial Learning Centre

Principles of Learning and Memory: Mnemonics (Memory Tricks)

Both memory and understanding are essential to learning. In order to apply information on exams, one must have instant recall of information along with understanding of that information. Mnemonic techniques are specific memory aids. First Letter Mnemonics and The Method of Loci are mnemonic strategies that you can use when you need to recall specific, detailed information.

This strategy involves the use of first letters in a list of information. It is useful when there are multiple pieces of information presented in a list or sequence. First Letter mnemonics can be accomplished in two ways:

The following provides an example of an acronym and a story acrostic for the three trigonometry functions (S=O/H, C=A/H, T=O/A):

The acronym "SOHCAHTOA" (pronounced "soak a toe a") is used to remember which function to use when calculating the size of the angle depending on the sides provided. Alternatively, some students find it easier to remember the story acrostic, "Some old hags can't attain husbands till old age." Remember, the more meaningful the acronym or story, the easier it will be to remember.

This memory technique is one of the oldest recorded strategies and is the most powerful strategy for memory and recall. It is powerful because is uses auditory, visual and kinesthetic modalities to associate what you do not know (whatever you are learning) to what you do know (location in a room). It is appropriate for information presented in a list such as sequences, steps, processes, events, stages, cycles...

For example, if you needed to know the eight steps in the accounting cycle, you could use the Method of Loci by associating each step with a location in a room:

Steps in accounting cycle	Location in room	Association
1. Analyze transactions	book	We must analyze the contents of the book
2. Journalize	newspaper	Edmonton Journal
3. Post	Pillar	Pillar is like a post
4. Unadjusted trial balance	Coat rack	Trial balance of coat on rack
5. Make adjustments	Chair	Adjust the height of seat
6. Balance (trial)	Sit on the chair	After adjustment, try balancing on chair
7. Financial statements	Computer	Type statements
8. Close the books	Binder	Close the binder

Steps to the Method of Loci

Step One: Chose a familiar room (e.g., kitchen, living room, study) and begin to make associations between the objects or locations in the room and the information you need to know. In this example, we chose the office or den. Because the first step in the accounting cycle was "Analyze transactions" we chose a book as the first object/location in the room. The association that we used to remember the step was, "We must analyze the contents of the book."

Step Two: Choose another object/location in close proximity to the book and find a way to associate it to the second step in the accounting cycle. We chose a newspaper (Edmonton Journal) that was lying next to the book to remember the second step, "Journalize." This was a logical choice and an easy association to make.

Step Three: Continue in a similar fashion, choosing objects/locations within the room using your imagination to make associations. While some associations are easy to make, others require creativity and a sense of humor. You must, however, select objects in order. For example, if a book was the first location and the newspaper was to the left of the book, you would continue to choose objects in a counterclockwise fashion. If objects or locations are chosen randomly, it will be harder to recall the information.

Step Four: Build in plenty of practice.

Step Five: When retrieving or recalling the steps during an exam, it is important to first picture the room in your mind, visualize the locations, and then recall the association you have made. For example, to recall the accounting cycle during an exam, you would picture the room, visualize the locations you chose, and then try to recall the associations you made to the accounting cycle.