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Study 28 of 31

Memory Training

Building a reliable working memory

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

A good working memory, like a muscle, responds to training, though the chapter dismisses feats of freak memory and rote word-memorizing as misdirected and even mind-hurting. The natural laws of memory begin with concentrated attention: 'One intense hour will do more than dreamy years,' since only deep impressions can be recalled at will. Next comes picking out the essentials and dwelling on them intently, followed by association of ideas — arbitrary or natural links, such as tying points of an outline to objects in a room, help fix them in mind. Repetition, reading thoughtfully aloud, writing out what is to be remembered, using every sense-channel, and daily habitual practice are all commended, along with memorizing out of doors and, crucially, casting out the fear of forgetting. Applying these principles, the reader is walked through memorizing a Beecher address: reread the chapter's nine methods, absorb the spirit, note the succession of ideas, then memorize thought, outline, and finally exact wording, in that order. Finally, the chapter offers a rescue technique for a blank memory on the platform — beginning a new sentence with the speech's last important word and talking one's way, however crudely, back to the prepared line of thought, illustrated by an extemporized bridge from 'Joan of Arc fought for liberty' through gunpowder back to the outline.

Key points

  • A good working memory can be trained like a muscle; rote memorizing of words by mere repetition is 'building a pyramid at the apex' and should be avoided.
  • Concentrated attention at the moment of impression is the fundamental secret of remembering — 'One intense hour will do more than dreamy years.'
  • Picking out essentials and association of ideas (even arbitrary associations with objects in a room) are powerful aids to memory.
  • Repetition, reading aloud, writing out material, and daily habitual practice strengthen memory by multiplying impressions across every sense.
  • When memory fails on the platform, begin a new sentence with the last important word spoken and talk your way back to the outline rather than sitting down in defeat.

Key texts

  • Deuteronomy 6:6-9
  • Psalm 119:11
  • Philippians 4:8
  • Joshua 1:8

From the book

Chapter XXVIII — Memory Training · Open the reader

  • “Without memory, man is a perpetual infant.”
  • “One intense hour will do more than dreamy years.”
  • “Cast out fear. Tell yourself that you can and will and do remember.”

Put it into practice

  • Give concentrated, undistracted attention to what you want to remember rather than skimming it lightly.
  • Pick out the essentials of your material, arrange them in order, and associate each point with something concrete (an object, a room, an acrostic).
  • Practice memory daily — read aloud, write out material, and repeat it until it is fixed, and cast out fear of forgetting.
  1. Comprehension

    1. What does the chapter say about 'freak memory' feats versus a good working memory?

  2. Comprehension

    2. What is called 'the first step in memorizing—and the most important one by far'?

  3. Doctrinal Clarity

    3. Explain how association of ideas can be used to remember the outline of a speech.

  4. Doctrinal Clarity

    4. Describe the order the chapter recommends for memorizing a speech such as Beecher's address.

  5. Contrast

    5. Contrast rote memorizing of words with the chapter's recommended method of memorizing.

  6. Contrast

    6. Contrast loose, skimming reading with the kind of reading the chapter says memory work requires.

  7. Comprehension

    7. What practical rescue method does the chapter give for a speaker whose mind suddenly goes blank?

  8. Application

    8. Which of the chapter's memory principles (attention, essentials, association, repetition, writing, daily habit, casting out fear) do you most need to apply, and how will you practice it this week?

  9. Application

    9. Recall a time fear of forgetting actually made you forget. How does the chapter's counsel to 'cast out fear' apply to that experience?

  10. Scripture

    10. How might associating a memorized truth with a concrete object or place help you retain and recall it later, according to the chapter's method?