Page 133 - Use Your Memory

USE YOUR MEMORY
Even when words refer to ideas or concepts, bring them down to a
more concrete level. For example, the number 368, represented
by the Memory Words much force, should not be pictured as some
vague power or energy in space but should be visualised as an
image in which much force is used to accomplish or destroy - for
example, a weight-lifter at the Olympics. In other words, in each
case you will be attempting to make the Memory Word as pictorial
and as memorable as possible. Remember the rules in chapter 5:
exaggerate; move; substitute; be absurd; use colour.
In cases where words are similar in concept to previous words,
it is most important to make your images as different as possible.
The same caution applies to words that are pluralised because of
the addition of s. In these cases, imagine a great number of items
as opposed to one enormous item. You will find your consoli-
dation of the words in the Major System useful not only because it
will enable you to remember the astounding number of 1000
items (in order or randomly) but also because it will exercise your
creative linking ability, which is so necessary for remembering
anything.
A number of the words used as mnemonics in this Major
System are interesting in their own right. As you check through
and memorise each list of 100, have a dictionary by your side, for
help if you run into difficulty selecting your Key Words. In these
instances, it will serve as a means of solidifying the images for you,
will enable you to select the best possible images or words, and will
be of value in the improvement of your general vocabulary. If you
have read my book Speed Reading, combine, where feasible, the
vocabulary exercises included in it with your exercises on the
Major System.

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