A memory palace hangs items on places. A peg system hangs them on numbers. You learn, once, a picture for each number. Then any list can be hung on those pictures.
Key idea
A peg is fixed (the same every time) and easy to picture. Item 3 goes with peg 3, so you can answer "What was third?" right away.
Why it works
A palace needs you to walk to spot 7. A peg lets you jump straight to 7. Pegs are good for short numbered lists; palaces handle long ones.
Worked example: Worked example
Your peg for 4 is a door. Item 4 on your list is a kite. Make the link.
- Peg: door.
- Item: kite.
- Vivid link: a kite crashes through the door and gets stuck, tail flapping.
Answer: A kite stuck in the door.
Common mistake
Reusing the same pegs for a new list the same day. Old images can linger and mix in; give the old list time to fade or use another set.