If you've ever tried to memorize an essay, monologue, or other text, you're probably just repeating the words in the text over and over again until you can memorize them. However, this is not the fastest way to memorize things and you may need extra time to memorize long texts. Use a memorization technique that suits your learning style and focus on memorizing each part of the text instead of memorizing how to pronounce it.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Breaking Text Into Separate Parts
Step 1. Divide the text by action or purpose
After reading the text you want to memorize several times, a pattern will appear. Use a pattern or theme in the text to divide it into smaller units. The unit doesn't have to be related to a paragraph or even a whole sentence. However, each unit must contain one main idea.
- For example, if you are trying to memorize President Soekarno's independence speech, the first part to memorize could be the first sentence of a speech that calls for independence. The second part may relate to Bung Karno's description of the struggle for independence itself, followed by a picture of resistance to Japan. Despite having different ideas, the second and third parts of the speech are from the same paragraph.
- Look for phrases you already recognize so you don't have to bother memorizing them again. For example, if you have already memorized the phrase "We are Indonesians, hereby declare the independence of Indonesia" from the proclamation in Bung Karno's speech, you do not need to memorize it again.
- Sometimes, you can also rearrange the text formatting. You can write your own or type the text in such a way that there is a large gap between sections. You can even enter separate headings for each piece of text.
Step 2. Memorize each part separately
After dividing the text, start by memorizing the first part and repeat until you feel like you really remember it and can recite it without looking at the text. After that, move on to the second piece of text and do the same.
Study each piece of text carefully before starting to put it together. If there are certain sections of the text that are difficult to memorize, try dividing them into smaller groups. After that, you can combine them after studying each part
Step 3. Merge the first part with the second part
After studying individual sections of the text, you can combine them to start memorizing the entire text. Start with the first text and try to recite it from your memory. However, instead of stopping, try to recite the second part right away.
Practice reciting the first and second parts in their entirety until you can do them well. After that, move on to the third part
Step 4. Repeat the process until you remember the entire text
After combining the first and second sections of the text, move on to the third section and pronounce the text in sequence. This will strengthen your memory of the previously recited passage. Keep adding passages in the text until the end of the text you want to memorize.
- If you find a passage that is difficult, stop and repeat your memorization until you can pronounce it fluently. After that, merge that section with the remaining text sections.
- During this process, pay attention to the transitions between sections of text so that you can pronounce them fluently. If the transition isn't in the text, add a silent transition to help you connect parts of the text – just remember, don't say it out loud.
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Memory Palace
Step 1. Map out a familiar place in your mind
The memory palace technique, also known as the “loci method”, dates back to ancient Greece. The idea of this technique is to associate a familiar place with the text you want to memorize. It will become your “memory palace.”
- Using your own home is usually the easiest way because you are very familiar with the rooms and objects in them.
- The place used can also come from a fictional story that is familiar to you. For example, if you are a huge Harry Potter fan and already have a map of Hogwarts in mind, you can use it.
- Your “memory palace” doesn't have to be a single location or building. You can also use routes from one place to another. For example, you can use the route from home to work or to school.
Step 2. Place the part of the text you want to memorize into the room in your “palace”
Read the text you want to memorize and divide into small groups. The group can be a short phrase or even a whole paragraph. Imagine the rooms in your “memory palace” and the objects in them. Set a logical dot to start with and start connecting each piece of text in the room. The object doesn't have to actually be in the room you imagined it to be. Just put it in your mind.
For example, if you're trying to memorize the Hamlet chord, you can imagine the letter "B" on the door of one of the rooms. When he opened it, there were arrows and a slingshot that threw a large bag of gold coins. If you close the door and head down the hall, a large arm lifts you up and carries you through the rough choppy sea
Step 3. Walk around the castle to assemble the sections of the text
As you enter the palace in your mind, you will come across pieces of text that you want to memorize. Arrange the text while walking through the room in the memory palace with the same route over and over again. This may take a few times to get used to it, but each repetition strengthens the mental association between the visual image and the text.
If you find sections that are difficult to memorize, you may need to re-associate objects in the memory palace by breaking them into smaller parts and associating them with multiple objects
Step 4. Use an imaginary picture to recall the memorized text
When you want to recite a text that you want to memorize, take yourself back to the palace of memory. As you walk through the room, repeat the pronunciation of the text based on the objects you find.
- This technique takes practice to master. If you're facing a very pressing deadline, don't use the memory palace method. However, once you get into the habit of doing it a few times, you may be able to memorize the text more quickly.
- If you take the route instead of the palace, you can walk that route memorizing the text every day on your way to work or school. You can even try memorizing it backwards when you get home. After that, you can also say that you can pronounce the text "from the front and from the back".
Method 3 of 3: Trying Other Memorization Techniques
Step 1. Memorize the first letter of each word in the text to create a shortcut
Memorizing something is the same as practicing the ability to remember information in the mind. To practice this skill, create a new page with the first letter of each word in the text. Include punctuation marks so you can recognize sentences and breaks in the text. After that, try to remember the text only from the first letters.
- For example, if you were trying to memorize the Hamlet chord from Shakespeare's Hamlet, you might write "t b, o n t b? t i t q - w 't n i t m t s t s a a o o f, o t t a a a s o t, a, b o, e t?" After that, try to figure out how many words you can recognize just from the first letter.
- Circle the letters that correspond to the words you can't remember, then return to the text. Use your favorite memorization technique to imprint the words into memory based on the context of the text, then try again from the first letter.
- This trick is also useful when you're trying to remember something you've memorized in the past, but have started to forget. You may be surprised by the results.
Step 2. Turn words into songs to make them easy to remember
The melody and rhythm of the song linked to a text will make it easier for you to memorize it. Use a melody or favorite song that can be customized with the sound of the text. It's okay if the sentences in the text don't rhyme (most likely) as long as they can be turned into a song.
- If you can play music, you can try recording yourself singing it. You can also search for instrumental versions of the songs used through your favorite music player service.
- Educational programs, such as “Schoolhouse Rock” often compose songs to remember historical events and important speeches. Use the internet or your favorite video streaming service to find more information.
Step 3. Walk while reciting the text being memorized to stimulate the brain
Once you've successfully embedded a text into your memory, you'll find it easier to recall it if you can recite it as you go – especially if you keep moving while memorizing it. Moving actively will stimulate blood flow to the brain and make it easier for you to remember memorized texts.
Don't be afraid to move your hand to feel the emotion of the text. The higher your desire and emotion, the easier it will be to remember a text
Step 4. Connect multiple images to a text if you are a visual learner
You may find it easier to remember pictures than to memorize text. If so, this technique is definitely more suitable for you. Similar to the memory palace technique, try to imagine a picture that represents each main word in the text. Your brain is usually able to autocomplete lowercase letters and words.
- For example, if you are trying to memorize Bung Karno's proclamation speech, you can imagine the waves in the sea, the faces of Indonesians in the past, the roads that go up and down, and the gown at the graduation ceremony to remember the sentence in the independence speech that reads "The waves of our action to To achieve our independence, there are ups and downs, but our souls are still heading towards our ideals.”
- If you like using emoticons, you can “translate” the text into emoticons. Since the description is already familiar to you, the process of memorizing the text may feel easier.
Step 5. Record your voice reading the text if you are an auditory learner
Some people find it easier to remember something that is heard over and over again. If you are one of them, record your voice reading the text so it can be heard over and over again. Reciting and listening to texts may strengthen your memory.
- If you don't like your own voice, ask someone else to read the text you want to memorize. However, you will benefit less from listening to someone else's voice instead of your own.
- If you're trying to memorize a relatively well-known text, you may be able to find recordings of similar texts read by actors or celebrities online.
Tips
- Once you've found a method that works for you, practice memorizing speeches, monologues, or essays that suit your interests. The more often you practice remembering something, the better you will be at it.
- After memorizing something, try to recite it at least once a day so that it sticks in your memory.
