Memorizing material gives you confidence, and frees you from shuffling papers or flipping through too many screens. In the right amount, speaking or quoting from memory brings a simplicity and directness to your presentation. Too little memorized, and you appear not to know your subject. Too much memorized, and you resemble a parrot. These seven keys to memory power will help you to memorize what is necessary.

THE SEVEN KEYS TO MEMORY POWER

The value of memory work is here taken for granted. Here are the keys to success:

1. EVALUATION

Is the passage or data worth memorizing? If so you will be interested in it, and interest aids memory.

2. UNDERSTANDING

It is difficult and pointless to memorize what you don't understand.

3. ANALYSIS

See the whole as a system of integrated elements. Recall of one element will then enable recall of the whole.

4. VISUALISATION

See it in your mind's eye! Techniques:

• Symbolism to visualize abstract ideas
• Novelty and exaggeration with imagination
• Movement and colour in the mental image

5. ASSOCIATION

Connect each point visually or logically or both.

6. CONCENTRATION

Focus the mind's attention on to the subject. One theory of intelligence is that it is basically the power of concentration, which can be learned and developed.

7. REPETITION

Occasional review strengthens recall.

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