Encoding - Memory Aids

To overcome the "bottleneck" of working memory, humans have devised memory aids. These come in several forms one of which is mnemonics. Even if you are not familiar with the term, you probably have used some form of mnemonic memory aid since childhood. These memory aids are based on association and elaboration. Association enables us to link information to existing memory structures, thereby enhancing our ability to retrieve the new information in the future. Elaboration creates a more detailed structure in memory that allows retrieval by more than one neural pathway. The following are some of the more commonly used mnemonics:

• Acronyms - Acronyms are formed by taking the first letter of each word in a group of words and creating a new word. This also aids remembering the correct word order. We use such devices every day such as NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
• Acrostics/Sentences - Related to acronyms is the use of acrostics or taking the first letter of words and, instead of creating a new word, the letters are used to make a sentence. For example, a popular sentence to help remember the colors of the visual spectrum is: Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain (Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet).
• Rhymes/Songs - Rhythm, melody, rhyme aid memory. We have used this method since childhood with the "ABC Song," "One, two, Buckle My Shoe," "Thirty Days Hath September," and many others. Rhythm and rhyme helps with later learning as well. Shakespeare, written in iambic pentameter, is easier to "memorize" than free verse. Aviation uses many such memory aids, as in "Aviate, navigate, communicate."