by Brad Zupp
Here are some examples of commonly confused words:
FEET/FEAT
1Picture the meaning. “Feet” are at the ends of legs. Add exaggerated details to your mental image.
2What makes “feet” different from “feat”? Two e’s instead of ea.
3Picture two feet being stepped on by two elephants (e = elephant).
4“Feat” is an achievement. It has ea plus a t, so imagine eating so much it’s a huge accomplishment.
TO/TWO/TOO
1“To” is used for motion in a direction or to express location.
2It has only one o (and no w).
3Imagine giving something (like an orange) to someone or taking it to a place. Don’t just hope you’ll remember the definition and example. Take five seconds to visualize a story.
4“Two” is a number. The spelling difference is wo—picture two of something that starts with wo (like wood). Add details by building two of something out of the wood (skis because they go on two feet).
5“Too” means “also” or an excessive amount. Picture something you wouldn’t want to eat too much of, like an onion and okra salad. (Translating each of the o’s into a picture.)
YOUR/YOU’RE
1“Your” is possessive; it shows ownership.
2Picture “your” by thinking of a friend’s pet, r like a rat or rhino (Do not picture a word that starts with re, as we will use re to imagine “you’re”!). Ask the friend a lot of questions about their pet.
3“You’re” is a contraction of “you are.” R = raisin, e = elephant. Imagine telling your friend, “You’re going to wear this raisin costume and ride an elephant. It’ll be fun!”
4Remember, it just has to remind you or cue the memory. It’s a hint; your memory detective will fill in the blanks (like the apostrophe).
ITS/IT’S
1Its means possession, belonging to. Imagine your own arm pits.
2It’s is a contraction of “it is.” Imagine a flying apostrophe chopping off the second i in “it is.” The s moves closer to the t to be safe.
LOSE/LOOSE
1“Lose” is for when you can’t find something—like the second o in “loose”!
2“Loose” is when something isn’t tight or is set free. Imagine opening a gate so a goose (because it rhymes with “loose”) can be free of its cage.
HERE/HEAR
1This is an example where it’s necessary to commit only one word to memory. “Hear” is when you perceive a sound. Remember that you “hear” with your ear.
These examples show how to become smarter using your memory and creativity. Apply this concept to your own frequently mixed-up words. Take five seconds to forever remember the wright write correct way to use any word.
[ 33 ] Learn to Speak Foreign Languages
LEARNING A FOREIGN language at any age is a true test for the mind because it’s all about memory. Fortunately, memory techniques make learning languages so much easier than rote memorization. Think of memory techniques as a bridge between not knowing a word at all and being so familiar with it that it pops into your mind without any effort.
Memory techniques are a means to an end, with the goal of thinking in the language without having to search your mind for the word. Using the method described here makes the language easier and faster to learn, and possibly even more fun.
THE TECHNIQUE The CAR Method
Rote memorization to learn a language is possible, but it’s like walking: slow. This method is like driving a car: much faster and easier. My goal here is not to teach you any particular language but to show you how to use the CAR Method to help your mind learn more words faster. You will use your imagination to:
1Convert each word (in English and the foreign language) into an image.
2Associate them with each other in a fun way to make remembering them easier.
3Repeat the process with more details, making the connection stronger.
HOW TO DO IT
1Start with the English word. Convert it to an image. Remember to make the image interesting with CAST (Color, Action, exaggerated Size, and Texture).
2Correctly pronounce the foreign word. Convert it into an image based on what it sounds like, not its spelling. If necessary, break the word into syllables and convert them to images.
3Associate the images together in a silly or strange way.
4Repeat the association, adding more details to make the resulting image or story more interesting.
Here are three examples:
SPANISH: cat = gato
1Convert cat into an interesting picture: a new breed with green shaggy fur.
2Convert “gah-toe” into a picture. To me it sounds a little like “got” and “toe.”
3Associate the two images. Picture the green furry cat pouncing on your big toe, using its claws to hold on. The cat has “got” your “toe.”
4Repeat and add more details: Picture the cat using its sandpaper-like tongue to lick your toe. Imagine how that would feel.
JAPANESE: cat = neko
1Convert cat into a picture like in the first example.
2Convert “neck-oh” into a picture. Imagine your neck.
3Associate the images: the green cat leaps up, lands on your neck, and starts licking it.
4Repeat, adding details. You exclaim, “Oh, the cat is licking my neck!”
FRENCH: week = semaine
Variation: Start with the foreign word.
1Convert “sem-enn” into a picture. It’s a French accent version of “cement” without the t at the end. Picture a cement driveway or sidewalk near your home.
2Convert “week” into a picture. That’s a little tough, isn’t it? Don’t worry. If you can’t quite picture a word (in either language), move to the next step.
3Associate and get creative: Your cemen(t) driveway of fresh sloppy concrete takes a week to dry. Even though you’re not exactly picturing a “week” your mind will make the connection. Your memory detective is very good at solving the case with a few clues.
4Repeat with more detail. Picture how you feel when the neighbor’s kids step on the cement on day six, leaving footprints that will last forever.
You don’t need to use the CAR Method for every single word. Use it only for the words that you don’t recall by reading, doing homework, and practicing aloud. If you hear the words pronounced slowly and correctly, you can creatively convert them. Don’t worry about being exact or literal. Use your creativity and what each word reminds you of to speed up your ability to learn any language.
[ 34 ] Spell Words in Foreign Languages
THE CAR METHOD showed you how to remember spoken foreign languages. The Commit 2 Creativity (C2C) Method will help you spell these words correctly as well. Most people put a priority on speaking a foreign language, but knowing how to spell the words is also helpful. The problem is remembering how to say the word is often completely different from remembering how the word is spelled. Accessing your creativity will make spelling easy.
THE TECHNIQUE The C2C Method
Many words can be sounded out and easily spelled. Studying a language and doing exercises will allow you to keep the spelling of them in your mind. But for words that are tricky or otherwise aren’t easily remembered, you’ll Commit 2 Creativity. This is the Link Method with a twist for remembering the word in English and the foreign language.
You will look at the words and think of creative ways to convert each letter, syllable, suffix, or hard-to-remember part into an image. Then you’ll connect that to the image of the word. It’s all about creativity, asking yourself, “How can I creatively transform this into an image?”
HOW TO DO IT
1Look at the word that is difficult to spell. Which part is hard to remember?
2Creatively convert each letter or syllable into an image.
3Connect that image to the foreign word and add the image of what it means.
Here are three examples:
EXAMPLE 1: Use your creativity to
remember the whole word.
Semaine (“week” in French)
Memorizing the spelling is easier if you’ve already learned the meaning of the word. If you’ve taken time to form a mental story, it’s even easier:
The wet concrete (“cemen”) in front of the house is happening all over southeast Maine (s-e-maine).
EXAMPLE 2: Remember which words have which suffix.
This is common in many foreign languages, but French has many words that end in -en, -enne, and -aine. Commit 2 Creativity by associating an image with each suffix and add that image to the mix when you remember the meaning of the word.
-en: Associate an English muffin, a penguin, or an endangered animal of your choice to the words that end in -en.
-enne: Connect an image of two nuns each riding an elephant with any word that ends in -enne.
-aine: Link romaine lettuce or an ant in an egg to words that end in -aine.
EXAMPLE 3: Use C2C to create your own system to remember when to use each of the German spellings for the word “the.”
“Der” sounds a bit like “dare.” Associate a dare with your image of the word, like der honig (the honey). Can you think of a strange honey dare?
“Die” sounds like “dee” but is as easy to remember as “die.” Imagine die ahnugh (the idea) being so bad it kills you.
What does “Das” sound like to you? How could you imagine and associate it with the correct words?
[ 35 ] Remember What You Hear or Think About While Busy
A COMMON MEMORY frustration is not being able to remember something while engaged in a task like driving, exercising, or cooking. Wouldn’t it be nice to listen to the radio on the way to work and remember the name of the book that was mentioned or the song that was played? Or to remember the task you need to complete after you are finished making dinner?
In these situations, we don’t have to write down reminders or tell our smart devices to remember for us. We can make mental notes to recall later and store them in our Memory Palace.
THE TECHNIQUE Memory Palace
A bit of easy prep work is required for this technique, but it’s worth every second. Remembering anything requires us to arrange new information in our minds in ways we can easily access later. One way to accomplish this is to store it in a Memory Palace.
A Memory Palace is simply a well-known location that you can easily picture in your mind. Your current home or favorite store can be Memory Palaces, among others. In this case, you’ll use a vehicle as your Memory Palace to save information for later.
There are two parts to this technique: creating a Memory Palace for later and then placing the information you want to remember in the location.
HOW TO DO IT
PART 1: CREATE A MEMORY PALACE
1Imagine your favorite vehicle. Use a vehicle you have memories of, whether it’s your family sedan or a subway car from your commute—whatever you can easily picture in your mind.
2Create three areas in the vehicle that are distinct. If you’re imagining a car, I suggest the front passenger's seat, rear driver’s-side seat, and rear passenger’s-side seat.
That’s it! Good job, you’ve just created your first Memory Palace. You’ll use it as a mental filing cabinet to store information to remember for a few days. Now let’s see the tool in action. While listening to the radio you hear the title of a book you want to remember to buy: Mastering Memory by Brad Zupp.
PART 2: PUT THE REMINDER IN YOUR MEMORY PALACE
1Convert the title or the author’s name into an image. In this example, to picture Brad you might think of the actors Brad Pitt or Bradley Cooper. Either way, visualize the information in as much detail as you can quickly. Imagine Brad Pitt in the first location of your Memory Palace: the front passenger’s seat. To add my last name, imagine a zebra starting to float up and, of course, imagine the zebra sitting in the front seat on Brad Pitt’s or Bradley Cooper’s lap.
2When you have a second item to remember, repeat this process: Translate it into a picture and imagine it interacting with your next Memory Palace location. You want to ask a friend to lunch? Picture her eating in the backseat of your car. Add details like how much of a mess she’s making.
3When you hear a third thing to remember, again repeat the process. If you find yourself needing more room to store memories, add locations in your palace like the hood, roof, and trunk of the car.
4Mentally review your Memory Palace each morning and night to see what’s there. Take action when needed with what you find: buying the book you wanted, finding the song you heard and remembered, or calling the person you thought of. The location’s memories fade quickly if they aren’t reviewed, so they should be “cleared” for use each day.
TIP | HELP! I’M NOT CREATIVE
Kids are great at making stuff up. Adults? Not so much! If you struggle with the creativity needed for these methods, think like a child. What would a child imagine? Be silly. It gets much easier with practice, so don’t hold back!
[ 36 ] Remember a Series of Items Like the Bill of Rights
WE OFTEN NEED to remember the items in a series, like the proper steps to take, a list, a safety checklist, a way to figure out a math problem, or even the Bill of Rights. Whatever it is, memorizing steps in a series is often difficult. The Chain Method will make recalling any process a breeze.
THE TECHNIQUE The Chain Method
Without even realizing it, you’ve already used the Chain Method when you memorized your passport number, credit card number, or PIN. You translated the steps of the process into images. They are connected like links in a chain, one leading to the next. In this way, you can connect an unlimited number of ideas or steps. The key is creating vivid images for each link and for each connection. In this version, you’ll practice with words and concepts instead of numbers. I also introduce a slight variation that many people find easier than the original Chain Method used for numbers.
HOW TO DO IT
1Translate the title of the process or series into an image. This will be the anchor that the chain is connected to.
2Translate the first step into an image. Make the image exaggerated and interesting. If possible, find a person or character that can star in the story or movie. Add the character to each scene to make the story easier to imagine.
3Translate the next step into an image and connect the first and second steps together in a creative way.
4Take the third step, imagine it, then connect it to the second.
5Continue visualizing and connecting each step in the process.
Here’s an example: the Bill of Rights. I simplified the Bill of Rights for this example; it’s helpful to select the key points prior to visualizing your chain.
Create an anchor image for the Bill of Rights: a famous person named Bill knowing his rights.
1FREEDOM OF RELIGION, SPEECH, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, THE RIGHT TO PETITION. Create an image involving religion (a cross, Star of David, etc.) with speech, press, assembly, and petition. I imagine a cross behind a man giving a speech to a room of reporters who have assembled to pet their dogs (which is easier for me to visualize than petition). To connect it to the anchor (Bill), I see Bill Gates, Bill Nye, or Bill Murray giving the speech.
2THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. Imagine a bear with guns or a bear with muscular arms. Connect it to the previous link by seeing the bear walk into the room of reporters.
3HOUSING SOLDIERS. Picture the bear at home when soldiers come to the house and want to stay there.
4SEARCHES AND SEIZURE. The soldiers search the bear’s house and seize the honey they find.
5RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED. The bear protests that he’s never seen that honey before; he’s innocent until proven guilty.
6FAIR AND SPEEDY TRIALS. The bear goes to the state fair (Ferris wheel, etc.), where he stands trial.
7JURY TRIAL. Various animals of the forest file in to be the jury.
8BAIL, PUNISHMENT, FINES. The jury allows him to go free on bail.
9OTHER RIGHTS (“DENY OR DISPARAGE”). Out on bail, the bear stands alone in the woods, careful to keep to himself and not dis any other animals.
10UNDELEGATED POWERS. The bear delegates magical bear powers to the animals that live in different states.
To recall which right is associated with which number, simply imagine the story, counting the links until you reach the number you need to know.
Does this cover the whole Bill of Rights? Not even close. In memorizing a list or process, you will naturally have to cut much out. The Chain Method provides a reminder for the information you already have and gives your memory detective clues to solve the case.
[ 37 ] Remember the Five Phases of Mitosis
THE CHAIN METHOD and your imagination will make it easy to remember the phases of mitosis (the process that takes place in the nucleus of a dividing cell). If you struggle to remember not only the phases but also the details, though, you may need to use a Memory Palace. I’ll cover both in this section, so choose the one that works best for you. And, hey, if you don’t need to know this, try the technique anyway and impress someone with your newfound scientific knowledge.
THE TECHNIQUE The Chain Method or Memory Palace
You’ll convert each phase to a mental image and attach it to the next one in the chain just like you did for the Bill of Rights (see here). To remember more details, like centrioles and what happens during each stage, you should use a Memory Palace. Pick a room you know well in your home (or the science classroom at school) and create a Memory Palace by imagining each wall and corner as a location for storing information. Then all you have to do is fill each location with details, starting with the names of the phase.
HOW TO DO IT
PROPHASE • METAPHASE • ANAPHASE • TELOPHASE • INTERPHASE