How To Memorize Twenty Words In Two Minutes

Mnemonic method that really works

Memory is a quite useful resource, isn’t it? We need it when we learn new things or when we recall nice memories while sitting in a chair, and thinking of the last vacations. All of this is possible thanks to a wonderful and still very mysterious organ inside our skulls: the brain.

Although we value our brains and memories, we can agree that memorizing is troublesome. One of the causes is that nowadays we’re flooded with information. Such an overload is intimidating and tiring. Another reason is that we have to remember information under the pressure of time. It doesn’t help. Finally, when we get older, and we don’t train our brains, our memory will get worse.

Fortunately, a long time ago, people discovered mnemonics [1]. These are methods and techniques that help us to memorize things. At least they’re supposed to help. I like to experiment and tried out a couple of mnemonics [2]. Some of them are really hard to master, but I found a diamond. Let me share the one that worked like a charm from the first time I used it.

Prepare a list of words

First things first, let’s prepare our task. I chose 20 random words from the dictionary [3]. Here is the list:

1. Fork
2. Improve
3. Calendar
4. Pump
5. Shore
6. Track
7. Matrix
8. Dog
9. Fibre
10. Psychology
11. Steam
12. Alarm
13. Light
14. Worthy
15. Frizz
16. Never
17. Respond
18. Tuesday
19. Bubble
20. Is

You can use the list as it is, or put it in the form that is more convenient for you. For example a table. Try a couple of ways of presenting the words list and check which works best for you.

The second step is to prepare a piece of a paper where you can fit 20 words, and a pen or a pencil, or to open your digital notepad. It’s important to have timing done properly, so don’t rely on a watch inside your head. Time flies and you should focus on the memorizing, not timing the task. That’s why you need a stopwatch or a timer to count down 2 minutes when you’ll try to put these words into your head.

Build a story

Before you start, let me describe the key idea of the method you’re going to use. It’s not about remembering all of the words separately. You have to build a context and associations between these words.

A great way of building context is by making up your own story using words from the list. There are no rules that your story should obey. However, there are a couple of tips that can make the method even better.

First of all, your story doesn’t need to be real. It can be totally made-up. You shouldn’t waste your 2 minutes wondering if the story makes sense or if you use facts. Consistency of the plot doesn’t matter here. Make it like a movie or a book that’s created by you, for you.

Secondly, make the story vivid. The more extraordinary it is, the stronger it will stimulate your mind. Think of imaginary creatures, colorful heroes, and beautiful places. You can imagine your favorite tv series characters to walk you through your story.

To build even more connections you can use different senses. Things have flavor, smell, and texture. Dare to use it! It will appeal to your imagination and help to get the words out of the story.

Finally, as you have only 2 minutes, go through the list, word by word, and add it to your story. For every word bring back your strongest association and put it like a brick in the wall. Remember about timing, leave around 30 seconds to go through the whole list again, and visualize your story once again.

Ready, steady, go!

Having the list of words in front of you, and something to write down start your timer to count down 2 minutes and imagine a story that will help you to remember the words. Don’t do anything else but memorize the story containing associations with words from the list. Go!

After 2 minutes, cover the list so you can’t see it, and recall your story. While doing it write down the words you memorized. Give yourself some time to go through the story, but don’t make it last too long. 2–3 minutes should be enough.

Finally, compare the list you wrote down with the original list. How many words did you memorize? More than 10? Maybe more than 15? Would you be able to memorize so many words using traditional techniques and going one by one? I encourage you to choose a new list of words and check how you perform without making a story. For me, it was a huge difference. Without this mnemonic, I was able to remember around 10 words. While using the story I easily doubled this result and challenged myself to go for even better results.

My story

How I’d build my story for our list of 20 words? Hmm, let’s see.

1. A fork makes me think of Neptun, the god of water and sea. Ok, he has a trident, however, it’s like a big fork.
2. It seems that fork needs to be improved, it’s a little bit broken.
3. Let’s check the calendar and find a free slot for the fork mechanic, he can mend and improve Neptun’s fork.
4. Every mechanic needs to have a pump, it helps with flat forks.
5. Now let’s reach the beautiful, sandy shore and test fixed fork.
6. There is the track near the shore, let’s do some running.
7. Neptun meets Neo from Matrix.
8. Neo has a dog, it’s a cute bulldog.
9. Neptun talks with Neo about ultra-fast fibre Internet.
10. And how the Internet affects psychology, it’s such an interesting domain, Neptun says.
11. It’s like a steam engine of our minds. A steam-powered ship goes by the water.
12. Then you hear terrible noise, is an alarm on the ship.
13. Emergency lights turn on, Neptun jumps into the water to save people.
14. Neptun saves a worthy human and gets back to the shore.
15. Human hair seems to be frizzed.
16. A human never saw someone like Neptun and asked what happened.
17. Neptun didn’t respond, he did his job and got back to the sea.
18. It was the second day of the week, Tuesday.
19. Neptun was tired and get some bubble bath.
20. That how it is to be Neptun.

Make it a challenge

When you advance to the level when remembering words is easy for you, you can make the game harder. Try to add more words to remember, change the time you have to memorize the list. Currently, I’m able to remember around 28 out of 30 words using this technique.

It’s also fun to use words from different languages. It can help you to learn vocabulary and build stronger connections in your mind. Even though you may not know the word, it may sound or look similar to something. That should be enough to remember it and check its meaning after your memory training.

You can also remember the order of the words from the list. It’s like the next level of the game, but following the story will do its job. Make sure it’s challenging.

Use it

Finally, don’t treat this mnemonic only as a fun game. It is really useful. Whenever you need to remember a shopping list, or some terms and agendas, build a story around it. Your imagination will lead you through it and you’ll get items you need when you need them.

Try to find your own way of making up these stories. Use your favorite genres. Are you into fantasy? Or maybe into crime stories? Great! Use them as a basis for your tales, train your brain, and memorize more. One more thing I would forget to tell you, don’t forget to have fun with it!

Bibliography:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic
2. Kaja Nordengen, Brain Training, How To Keep Your Mind in Good Shape (title translated by Author), original title: Hjernetrening. Slik Holder du Hjernen i Form, ISBN:978-8248921325
3. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, 6th Edition, ISBN: 978–1447954200