Learning Portal - Study Skills : Memorizing and Understanding Concepts

How to Use Mnemonic Devices

Mnemonic devices are one of the techniques that you can use to better remember information so that you can recall it later, whether in a test or in a job. This technique involves creating word/number patterns, images, diagrams, or other shorthand memory aids for complex material.

While you can create your own unique mnemonic devices based on what you are studying, examples of commonly used mnemonic devices include:

Word-Based Mnemonics

• FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) - a way to remember the main coordinating conjunctions in English.
• Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (PEMDAS - parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction) - a way to remember the order of operations in math.
• Every Good Boy Does Fine / All Cows Eat Grass (EGBDF / ACEG) - a way to remember the notes on the lines of the treble and bass clefs, respectively, in music.

Image-Based Mnemonics

• The Narrative Arc - a way to remember the typical pattern or "shape" of the action and events in a story's plot.

(Claire Pienaar, 2021)

• La Maison d'Être - a way to remember which verbs take "être" in the compound past tense (passé composé) in French.

(Claire Pienaar, 2021)

Watch How to Create Flashcards

Flashcards are a handy technique that you can use to remember information. Watch this video to learn how to create and use your own flashcards.