Mnemonics -Secret to Memorizing English Vocabulary

Mnemonics

-Published on 18th Feb 2023 by Oxford School of English-

Mnemonics is a technique for remembering information. It is also known as an instructional strategy designed to help students improve their memory and remember larger pieces of information. It is any learning technique that aids information retention in human memory by connecting new learning to prior knowledge through various ways that work best for you. As per the study by Gerald R.Miller in 1967. It is evident that the use of mnemonics by students has helped them to score more by 77% Undoubtedly, everyone would have used the technique of mnemonics once in their life without realizing that they have applied it. Some of the most common ones are

1. 1. BODMAS (B = bracket O = off D = division M = multiply A = addition S = subtraction)

2. 2. VIBGYOR (V= violet I = indigo B = blue G = green Y = yellow O = orange R = red) And not to forget one expel that would undoubtedly make us nostalgic is

3. Days of the month mnemonics This is a technique that everyone was taught as a child to help remember the days in each month. It’s a count kept on your knuckles, with the simple logic that your protruding knuckle depicts 31 days, and the underside is 28/30 days.

4. Order of the Planets Everyone has learnt the simple phrase “My very educated mother just served us noodles” (or previously, “my very eager mother just served us nine pizzas” when pluto was still a planet), which helped every child to remember the names of the planets with ease.

Types of mnemonics (six types)

1. Vision and image Human mind is designed in such a way that pictures have a greater impact on learning for a longer duration. For example – It's pretty feasible for us to remember the way through landmarks, in the same manner, words can also be linked with an image.

2. Chunking This is a way in which grouping is done so that it becomes easier for a learner to memorize the words. For 0065ample 9993259874 is difficult to remember however if it is broken down like 999 – 325 – 9874 it is again become easier to remember

3. Letter and words Acronyms and acrostics are a great method and a very common strategy that every learner must have used in their life. Example – VIBGYOR (V= violet I = indigo B = blue G = green Y = yellow O = orange R = red)

4. Musical Undoubted songs can easily get into and engraved in the head of learners. It is pretty popular among kids as it gives a musical touch and breaks the monotony

5. Connection One of the easy and quick ways is to link with stories /incidents.

6. Linking This way is quite feasible as it helps to make a chain in mind and can help to know more words and other knowledge attached to it.

Examples

1. Salutary
Mnemonics : She salutes a tree (salutary) for producing a good effect
synonym – helpful/useful
meaning – beneficial
sentences = Education has salutary effects.
I hope that invention will prove salutary for the educational institute.

2. Hone
Mnemonics : hone sounds like a cone or horn and both are sharp so it means too sharp
synonym – grind / file /to make perfect
meaning – beneficial
sentences = 1. He runs every day to hone his stamina.
2. The blade hones irregular shapes
3. The students always hone their skills in order to achieve a towering height.

3. Inevitable
Mnemonics : in every table
synonym – sure to happen, which can not be changed
meaning – (adjective) impossible to avoid or prevent)
sentences = 1. It was inevitable that there would be job losses.
2. Pandemic is the inevitable consequence/result/outcome of carelessness.
3. The scandal made her resignation inevitable.
4. Compromise is an inevitable part of marriage

4. Illicit
Mnemonics : I'll + city (Aise city Jo ill ho)
synonym – illegal
meaning – forbidden by law
sentences = 1. They were prosecuted for illicit liquor selling.
2. He had an illicit association with Jane.
3. Seizures of illicit drugs have increased by 30 % this year

5. Immaculate
Mnemonics : I Mac was clean
synonym – neat /tidy/dapper
meaning – perfectly clean
sentences = 1. Since I am having guests over for dinner, my house must be cleaned until it is immaculate.
2. The gardener works seven days a week to keep my lawn immaculate.