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October 2, 2008 19 Comments

Mega Collection of Memorization Tips & Techniques

A resource post to assist participants in Mega Memory Month:I want to offer plenty of support during Mega Memory Month (MMM), so here you can find lots of memorization tips and techniques collected as neatly as possible in one place. I’ll add to it as I find more, so bookmark it and revisit from time to time. I’ll mark the date that I add any material following publication.I’m kicking it off with bonus material however, so be sure check out the first bullet point under “Online Articles & Resources” and the new first point under “Kroeker-Generated Suggestions.”Online Articles & Resources:

  • At a site called Productivity 501, I found an article called How to Memorize Verbatim Text. It has a simple online tool you can use to help reinforce what you’re working on. The author uses the Gettysburg Address to illustrate his technique.
  • An eHow 8 step article about how to memorize Scripture.
  • A long list of Scripture memory tips and suggestions. Click HERE for how to memorize long passages.
  • Ann V. described and photographed some of her memorization methods here.
  • Stretch Mark Mama wrote about her basic index-card-propped-on-the-kitchen-table method.
  • Start by memorizing the last verse first. The next day, work on the next-to-last verse and then say the two together; the next day add the verse before that and so on until you get to the last verse, which is actually the first verse of the passage. Though counter-intuitive to start at the end, the brain seems to integrate them well this way.

Kroeker-Generated Suggestions:Here are a few memorization techniques that have worked for our family (a repeat from an earlier post included for consolidation purposes):

  1. Record someone reading your selection (then listen to it…lots). I once wrote about using my MP3 microphone for verbal note taking. Well, here’s another one. Record someone else reading the passage out loud (we usually hate our own voices when played back, don’t we? So have someone else do it), and then put it on your play list to listen to over and over.
  2. Song. Set it to song or at least a rhythm, and it sticks pretty well. We have to get creative with Scripture, because some translations don’t have all that much rhythm to them. We’ve also applied this to skip counting for math. And can’t most of us remember our conjunctions thanks to Schoolhouse Rock (”Conjunction junction, what’s your function…”)? Anyway, I try to find some beat to the verse and say it that way. It helps.
  3. Hand motions. Get all the senses involved and take in those words every way possible. We come up with hand symbols for God, Jesus, salvation, and other basic words like “all” and “world.” If you actually know American Sign Language, all the better. We don’t, so we just invent motions. They can recall the signs and bam! The words follow.
  4. Pictures. For complicated verses, I’ve drawn little pictures to accompany the phrases. This helped the daughter who scoffed at my overblown hand motions and dance steps. She preferred the more civilized method of memorizing pictures to remember the flow of words.
  5. Key words. If they remember the first word of a phrase that represents a shift in the verse, then often the rest of the words will tumble out automatically. So as we repeat it out loud, we emphasize the key words with exaggerated volume. I probably raise my eyebrows and open my mouth like a clown when I say them, too. I can’t help it. I’ve got Elasti-Face. Might as well use it for good.
  6. Write it out. Okay, now these are the simple, low-tech, basic ideas coming out. Write it out lots of times, and it’ll enter the brain through another avenue.
  7. Repeat, repeat, repeat. This is such an obvious one, but it bears repeating (sorry). But, well, that’s what we do. We go over and over the verse (out loud) until it’s drummed in there. Write it on a piece of paper and stick it in your pocket, or tape it to your cell phone and make yourself say it as you reach in your pocket for something or before making a call.

Ideas Submitted by Readers:

  • Denise said that she sings along with Scripture memory CDs (I also thought of those “Hide ‘Em in Your Heart” Steve Green videos for kids). And she has her children write memory verses as part of their handwriting.
  • Recommended by Joni: His Word in My Heart by Janet Pope “offers one of the best techniques and explanations for the benefits to memorizing.” Pope’s method helped her memorize longer texts such as the Sermon on the Mount by just doing a verse a day and then reviewing them, using index cards.

Filed Under: creativity, lifelong learning, mega memory month, memorization, mind, self-discovery, simplicity, taking risks Tagged With: memorization, memorization techniques, memory, memory work, Scripture memory

Comments

  1. erinstraza says

    October 2, 2008 at 8:59 am

    Thanks for all the helps and encouragement. I’ve posted about the challenge on my blog, for the world to see . . . so now I have to do it! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear who has joined in and what everyone is working on. (For the record, I’m doing two chapters I’ve already started: John 15 and James 1.)

    Reply
  2. shepherdsgrace says

    October 2, 2008 at 10:30 am

    Hi, you and holy experience have become my springboard to action…we are going to start tackling Ephesians….wordle.net is a fun place to begin…ephesians by Sarah….smile….

    Then I will copy off small blocks for everyone so we can take them with us in the car and post them all over….

    thanks for the prod!

    Reply
  3. katemcdonald says

    October 2, 2008 at 10:33 pm

    I think (from what I have read) we need to be friends and I need to join!

    Reply
  4. Tammy says

    October 4, 2008 at 12:07 am

    Okay, I finally posted MMM on my blog, so I’m officially in! Thanks for the encouragement, Ann :o)

    Reply
  5. sarah says

    October 4, 2008 at 3:34 pm

    a friend suggested we use pictures mixed in with words in the verse to help my 8 yr. old struggling reader, Rinnah…so my almost 13 yr. old daughter Grace figured out some cute figures for the first two verses of chapter one and Rinnah had them down in two days…wow, I am flabbergasted!

    Reply
  6. katemcdonald says

    October 4, 2008 at 3:43 pm

    Thanks for leaving a note on my blog. I am still deciding what to memorize…suggestions?

    Would’ve been fun to meet up at the show..it was really good. If you’ve never been to sacred grounds before, you might consider looking them up- such a neat Christian coffee shop and venue! I was really impressed!

    Reply
  7. 4HourStudyWeek says

    August 4, 2010 at 5:01 am

    Thanks for the helpful post! I looking forward to read all your articles. I was wondering if you could list out some eBooks upon memorization techniques. Because I’m going to face my Midterm exam soon.

    However recently I came across a book Secrets SMART Study System offered by 4 hour study week which not only helps to memorize anything the first time you hear but also reduces the study hours. It helps to learn the power-napping techniques and sleeping habits that will instantly boost your focus, creativity and ability to learn and memorize better.

    Reply
  8. Madison says

    December 27, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    Keep it up and in a new year : ]

    Reply
  9. Phil Walker says

    January 16, 2011 at 11:37 am

    Hi. Great to see your big emphasis on Scripture memory and all the good tips. My favorite website is http://www.memverse.com which features a community of Scripture enthusiasts for mutual encouragement, inspiration, and accountability as well as a storing, organizing and maximizing of memory verses. We would love for you and your friends to join us.

    In Christ, Phil Walker philjohn1558@yahoo.com

    Reply
  10. Nolan Quicksall says

    February 1, 2011 at 2:54 am

    There’s obviously a lot to understand about this. I think you created some good factors in Functions also.
    Keep operating , excellent position!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Announcing Mega Memory Month « Ann Kroeker says:
    October 2, 2008 at 8:08 am

    […] Mega Collection of Memorization Tips & Techniques « Ann Kroeker October 2, 2008 at 8:06 am […]

    Reply
  2. MMM Monday Progress Report: Week 2 « Ann Kroeker says:
    October 13, 2008 at 12:08 pm

    […] out it’s the same idea that I posted on the Master Memorization Tips & Techniques […]

    Reply
  3. January 2009 is Mega Memory Month « Ann Kroeker says:
    January 1, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    […] hope to encourage you along the way. For starters, here’s a link to my mega collection of memorization tips and […]

    Reply
  4. January 2009 MMM Monday Progress Report #1 « Ann Kroeker says:
    January 5, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    […] If you’re still looking for ideas on how to plug those words into your head, here’s a collection of memorization tips and techniques that I’ve updated from an earlier post: […]

    Reply
  5. July 2009 is Mega Memory Month « says:
    June 29, 2009 at 10:01 am

    […] hope to encourage you along the way. For starters, click HERE for my mega collection of memorization tips and […]

    Reply
  6. [Video] How To Memorize Lists (Fast) | The Memorization Blog says:
    November 12, 2010 at 2:21 am

    […] AboutPrivacy PolicyTerms of Use Mega Collection of Memorization Tips & Techniques | Ann Kroeker. Writer. […]

    Reply
  7. Mega Memory Month 2011 Headquarters | Ann Kroeker. Writer. says:
    December 27, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    […] memory techniques you’re using, so we can borrow ideas that work. Click here for a list of memorization tips and techniques I’ve collected and here for a great resource […]

    Reply
  8. MMM 2011 Progress Report #2 | Ann Kroeker. Writer. says:
    January 10, 2011 at 12:06 am

    […] out my Mega Collection of Memorization Tips & Techniques for more […]

    Reply
  9. and now, My MMM Update #2 (should be #3…) Psalm 91 « HOPEannFAITH says:
    January 17, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    […] memorization tool I uses is the first one on this list that Ann Kroeker provides at the MMM […]

    Reply

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