MNEMONICS (Online Assignment)

                ASSIGNMENT

                          On

          MNEMONICS

   

                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                             Submitted by,

                                                                                              Aswathy P.S

                                                                                              English Optional

                                                                                                                        Roll No: 4    

                                                                                                               

                                           INTRODUCTION

              Mnemonic or mnemonic device is any learning technique that aids information retention. Mnemonics aims to translate information into a format that the brain can retain better than its original form. Even the process of merely learning this conversion might already aid in the transfer of information to long term memory. Commonly encountered mnemonics are often used for lists and in auditory form such as short poems, acronyms or memorable phrases, but mnemonics can also be used for other types of information and in virtual or kinaesthetic form. Their use is based on the observation that the human mind more easily remembers special, personal, surprising, physical, sexual, humorous, or otherwise relatable information rather than more abstract or impersonal form of information.

MNEMONIC STRATEGIES

             Mnemonic is a Greek word meaning ‘aid to memory. A device that helps us remember information is known as mnemonic, and an entire system to improve or develop memory is called mnemonics. This system makes use of visual imagery to provide useful associations and connections.

                   Some popular mnemonics devices are.

1)Peg Word Method/Strategy

       In this type of mnemonic strategy, a set of peg words which are rhyming is used as cues.

Eg: One is a gun.               Six is sticks.

       Two is a shoe.             Seven is heaven.       

       Three is a tree.             Eight is a gate.      

        Four is a door.            Nine is wine.      

        Five is knives.             Ten is a hen.

2) Narrative – Chaining Method

             Here, a story is built around whatever things one wants to remember.

3) Initial Letter Strategy

             Initial letters are the focus for remembering and association.

Eg: To simplify mathematical expressions, one can make use of mnemonic ‘BODMAS’ which stands for bracket(B), of (O), division(D), multiplication(M), Addition(A), and subtraction(S) respectively.

4) The Key Word Method

           It makes use of imagery for remembering the difficult, uncommon and unfamiliar words and items.

Eg: To remember the Russian word ‘golova’ which means head, one look for a key word resembling and associated with the word ‘golova’. It may be Gulliver. A mental image of Gulliver with his head tied down by Lilliputians will help us to remember it easily.

5) The Method of Loci

        ‘Loci’ means location or places in Latin. Loci method is based on the assumption that location can serve as an effective cue for remembering the material. There are three steps.

a)      Developing one’s own route by identifying a set of places which occur in some natural or         familiar order.

b)      Converting each item into an image and storing it in a location.

c)      During retrieval, take a mental walk by recalling what was placed or stored in each place.  

6)Letter Strategy

   It involves the use of acronyms and acrostics.

1.Acronyms:- Words whose individual can represent elements in lists of information.

     Eg:VIBGYOR-Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange & Red.

2.Acrostics:- Sentences whose first letters represent to be remembered information such as ‘My Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us nine Planets’ to represent nine planets in order- Mercury, planet.)

CONCLUSION

              Mnemonic instruction is an instructional strategy commonly used with students who have disabilities as well with their non-disabled peers. It is designed to improve short term memory of key information. It does not require a wealth of additional materials or extensive planning and preparation time.

                

 REFERENCES

1) Techniques of Teaching English in the New Millennium.

                                                                 -A.L Kohli

2) The First Letter Mnemonic Strategy.

                                                                  -D.R Nagel

3) www.wikipedia.com.

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