The memory tricks in this course all depend on images. Some images stick; some slip away. Ancient teachers of memory noticed the difference long ago, and so have modern memory athletes.
Key idea
A vivid image is concrete (things you can see), big or strange (exaggerated), moving (action beats still), and linked to the fact.
| Weak image | Vivid image |
|---|---|
| A washing machine by the door. | A giant washing machine blocking the front door, sloshing suds onto your shoes (Washington). |
| An apple on the mat. | A huge apple rolling on the mat, wearing a tiny crown (Adams, for Adam's apple). |
Worked example: Worked example
You need to remember to buy eggs. Which image is more vivid?
- A: a carton of eggs on the counter.
- B: eggs hatching on your pillow, and the chicks marching to the store.
- B is strange, moving and concrete.
Answer: B.
Common mistake
Making an image so silly it has nothing to do with the fact. Test the fact, not the joke: if the image comes back and the fact doesn't, change the image.