How to Memorize a Book's Key Concepts
The key to memorizing a book's key concepts is to map them out. It's often said that "a picture is worth a thousand words" and vivid imagery leaves a lasting impression that is easier to remember than vague or lukewarm ideas. Going a step further by combining simple visual icons with key words will strongly impress a book's content in your mind making it easier to remember. Your "mind-map" (or "spider map," as this technique is commonly referred to) was developed by Tony Buzan, a British psychologist, author, consultant and international authority on the brain and learning.
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Things You'll Need
- Blank piece of paper (at least 8 inches by 11 inches)
- Colored pencils or fine-tip markers
Instructions
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Using a distinctly colored pencil or fine-tipped marker, write down three words that summarize the content of the book in the center of a piece of an 8 inch by 11 inch piece of blank paper and draw a circle around the words in the same color as the text. Include a little visual doodle or icon to help you remember this key concept next to the text within the circle. Please see Resource 1 for an illustration.
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Using a different color, draw radiating lines off the center circle like spokes on a wheel and write three key words that describe the major subdivisions or subheadings of the topic. Add small doodles or icons that illustrate these verbal concepts. Again, see Resource 1 for illustration.
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Choose a third color and draw lines radiating away from the main subheadings that describe further subheadings with three key words. Include visual icons to aid your memory.
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Choose a fourth color and draw subsequent lines under the secondary subheadings that describe individual facts and ideas and label them. Include a small doodle or icon to describe the idea.
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Study and meditate on your mind-map until the basic concepts and associated facts of the book you wish to memorize are firmly implanted in your mind.
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Tips & Warnings
Your completed mind-map may have many "spokes" radiating off the central idea.
As your mind-map branches out like a tree, do not be concerned with the shape it takes.
Major headings should radiate from the center with lower headings and facts branching off from the higher level headings.
Use simple phrases or single words.
Use strong, positive words to create positive associations to encourage memorization.
Less is more: excess words clutter the mind-map.
Use color to separate different ideas and increase organization.
Use cross-linkages to show how certain parts of the map, or content of book, relate to the others.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit blue brain image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com
