Using mnemonics for improving vocab
A person who asks the question ‘How can I improve my vocabulary?’ will get the typical answer that one of the very simplest and most effective methods to improve one’s vocabulary is simply, an intensive reading schedule. Read, read, and read. The more you read — especially novels and literary works, but also magazines and newspapers daily – especially editorials– the more words you’ll be exposed to. Of course, reading has an unshakable place in the rating of the most efficient vocabulary building techniques. (https://gunnewsdaily.com/) But the simple fact is that not all people are fond of reading or don’t have time for that. Other ways to improve your vocabulary are watching English movies, TV shows or news etc.
Vocabulary words can be learnt not the hard way but the smart way. If vocabulary is a monster, then you must be the splendid superhero. You can reduce the monster to a dwarf. Using Mnemonics is a way to help to remember information/vocabulary more effectively and easily. It involves linking unfamiliar to be learned information with familiar already known information through the use of a visual picture or letter/word combinations. We use memory tricks for easy remembrance.The trick is to connect a word to a person.
Let’s take up a word, say ‘amicable’ (meaning friendly). If you know a friendly girl named Amy, then great. But even if you don’t, try to remember a fictitious character or create one in your mind. If you know a girl who is friendly, connect the word to her. There is a better chance of you remembering a word if you connect it to a face or a personality.
Consider a word LOQUACIOUS (Talkative)-
For a moment, forget the phonetics for this word and observe how it is spelt.
Mnemonic -Lo-Quac(k)-ious, and who quacks – a duck!
What if a duck quacks continuously, you’ll be irritated.
Usage – The loquacious host talked for hours about his adventures in Africa.
Consider a word PIGGIN (bucket)-
Develop keyword-Pig—it is familiar to students, acoustically similar to piggin and can be easily pictured.
Develop a picture of a pig sitting in a bucket (or wearing a bucket) linking the keyword and the definition of the word.
Teach the process : “When I say what does piggin, first think of the keyword pig (piggin-pig), then what
was happening with the pig, the pig was sitting in a bucket (or the pig was wearing a bucket), then the
answer-bucket.”
It is very important to learn the process of how to remember and recall the information. Just developing and seeing mnemonic pictures will not improve vocabulary. A difficult task for many is to remember new, difficult or uninteresting material. Visual Mnemonic have been proven to help individuals remember information by making it easier and more concrete and can be applied to any type of content.
TEST YOURSELF
On daily basis takes a group of 5 words and write a small paragraph. It could be short story or description of any event, but make sure you are using the words in right context. Recall the picture and then the word. Keep repeating the exercise. This will help you in retaining the words. This will not only make the word easier to learn but will also — hopefully — make the word more fun to learn.
Through you may be learning your vocabulary for CAT 2016, remember that good vocabulary is permanent asset. Start early and enjoy the learning process of CAT 2016.
How to improve your vocabulary method 1 word breakup
How to improve your vocabulary method 2 mnemonics
