Today’s topic:
Mnemonics – an introduction
What is a “mnemonic device”
It’s all Greek to me:
The term “mnemonic device” is a popular phrase. Mnemonic (pronounced without the first “m,” is taken straight from the Greeks (“mnēmonikos” or, in English, relating to memory). “Device,” is another word for an aid of some type (see examples below). Did you know that way before the mass of people knew how to write, and before tape recorders and computers were invented, people relied more on memory? For instance, village elders used memory to recall events from the past. Orators in Greece and Rome all had to have the power of recall; how else were they able to deliver long speeches? Question: How did these people have such good memories? This is where mnemonics comes in. Students can learn easy mnemonic devices or more complex memory aids. A better memory helps when it comes to math, science, history, writing, etc. This post is just an introduction.
Image Memory Aids
Students learn to remember English vowels through images. Who can forget “A is for Apple“?
Images are basic mnemonic devices
The drawings of apple, egg, iguana, and octopus on the left of the chart (above) are for the short vowels. On the right are the long vowels. Fact: many students remember the long “i” vowel for ice cream first. Images that help us remember things are everywhere. The Egyptians are known for developing hieroglyphics, a language which used pictures to express an idea. Other examples of visual communication abound: musical notes, playing cards, symbols on phones and computers, and even road sign symbols. Can you think of some other examples?
Tree images are a simple way to commit information to memory
Another example of an image as a mnemonic device
Some people learn better using images as a memory aid. Above right is a “tree diagram.” In this example, each branch has a reason why trees are important. Tree diagrams are simple and familiar ways to commit information to memory. In fact, people from ancient societies used trees, building layouts, and even roads to remember vital facts. Called the “method of loci,” this technique “…uses spatial information and a visual imagination.” (From Wikipedia)
Text association example
Every
Good
Butterfly
Does
Good
Memorizing information through text associations
Guitar players may recognize the word sequence (above). “Every Good Butterfly Does Good” represents the name and order of the notes of guitar strings. There are several popular variations of this mnemonic. Text associations like this are everywhere: “Please Excuse My Aunt Sally” is the mnemonic device for the order of operations in math (“Parenthesis, Exponent, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction”). Don’t forget acronyms… SCUBA stands for “Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Device.” You can even make up some of your own text associations, like writing “SFTOF” on a notepaper… “Study For Test On Friday.”
Physical memory aids:
Use your knuckles to figure out how many days in each month
Physical mnemonics?
Physical mnemonics are everywhere. In some countries, people measure the height of animals by the width of a human hand. Or a thumb can be used to symbolize “yes” (“thumbs up”) or “no” (“thumbs down”). In the above illustration, the knuckles on your hands can show how many days are in each month. Another example is to use colored string as a mnemonic device. Some people tie sting on their fingers to recall important errands (or events). A green string could represent buying bread at the market; orange might be to feed the cat early; a blue string might be used to remember to move the car for the street sweeper. Are there any more examples?
| Credits: |
| “A conceptual image featuring a question mark drawn on a chalkboard, ideal for problem-solving contexts,” by Pixabay /Pexels |
| “Thanks to free vowel chart from Worksheetshq website (at https://worksheetshq.com/view/free-vowel-chart/) and Crayola © 2026 Crayola LLC. |
| “Tree diagram template courtesy of Collidu.edu website (www.collidu.com/presentation-free-tree-diagram-with-6-branches) © 2025 Collidu.com. “Detailed close-up of an acoustic guitar, showcasing strings and wood texture,” by Benjamin White /Pexels Thank you to the Kinder Smorgasphere Store at the Teachers Pay Teachers website for the Knuckle Month Mnemonic at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/KNUCKLE-MNEMONIC-How-Many-Days-Are-in-Each-Month-9047377 |
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