Mnemonics: Creating points of loci on your body

By Just like the Memory Room system, the Body Peg method also uses association to confirm the memory of location of items. It includes giving body parts different numbers (depending on the number of items you have) and then attaching different items or words from a list you need to remember to various parts of the body. You do this just like the way you peg the clothes on a clothesline so that they stick there; you do the same except this time the points stick to your body parts and eventually to your brain. Topic: Causes and effects of the Bantu Migration Steps in this method Allocate each body part a number e.g head is 1;forehead is 2; eyes are three. Next, attach a point from your list to each number. For example: head. They wanted to find new land for controlling. forehead. They desired to expand their iron working culture eyes. They were searching for adventure. You continue to do this until all the body parts have been populated. When it is time to write down the points from memory then you can look at or touch the part where they put the point and remember the point. Your picture does not have to be perfect – it just has to accomplish the job. Also, add color, font sizes or different picture details to help each picture to be unique.An addition to this system is the use of actions which is associated with the item you place in a body part. To illustrate in the topic about the causes of Bantu migration, one of the points is famine. As you attach ‘famine’ to number 6 which is the mouth, use your hand to put food in your mouth. For the point number 7: rub your throat as you attach the word ‘drought.’ While assigning disease for body peg 8, hold an injection and imagine the painful shot you receive when being vaccinated against diseases. All these combined will enhance recollection. This method is especially helpful if you have a long list of items to remember. Use it creatively; note that the more ridiculous or funny, the more likely your brain will be able to recall the necessary information. Next week’s mnemonic is: acronyms – watch this space. The writer is an educator and a counsellor. lnakibuuka@yahoo.com

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Mnemonics: Creating points of loci on your body