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7 Actionable Tips to Memorize a Long Paragraph Quickly

7 actionable tips to quickly memorize a paragraph of text, with some additional ways to boost memory. Learn more...

7 Actionable Tips to Memorize a Long Paragraph Quickly

Learn these simple tips to memorize a paragraph quickly! It will help you remember what you learn in school or from reading books and magazines. These tips are especially helpful for people who have trouble remembering things.

Memorizing a paragraph is the first step to learning how to study more effectively. When you are able to do this, you will be able to memorize any kind of information much faster.

 

1. Memorize Sentences(Phrases) by Index Cards

Your paragraph should be divided into short phrases you understand. 

Write them on 3×5 index cards. Next, read each of those phrases aloud. 

As you do so, ask yourself if the phrase makes sense. If it doesn’t, throw it away and pick another one. If it does, keep it and move on to the next card.

You should end up with a stack of phrases that are logical to you and sound natural when you say them out loud.

In addition, read the phrases out loud.

Read the first phrase out loud. Then without looking at the index card, try to repeat it again.

After that, read the second phrase aloud. Continue reading all the way down to the last phrase. Then read all the phrases aloud together.

2. Use the Memory Palace Technique to Memorize a Passage Quickly

To make sure you don’t forget anything, use the memory palace technique.

  • What I want you to do is imagine a big room. It should be nicely appointed with comfortable furniture and a nice view. In fact, the room should have everything a room needs to make it a pleasant place to be.  
  • Now imagine you are in that room. Start at the front door and walk around the inside. Imagine each piece of furniture as you pass it. Imagine the rug under your feet, the drapes on the walls, the paintings on the wall, the upholstered chair you sit in to read the paper… everything. 
  •   As you walk around the inside of the room, say the name of each piece of furniture as you pass it. When you get to the end of the room, turn around and start back to the front door. Keep saying the names of all the pieces of furniture as you go around the room.

Once you build the Memory Palace, then you can use it to memorize anything, including these short phrases in paragraphs.

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3. Record Your Reading

Now listen: I want you to do something else. What I want you to do is record yourself saying each of the sentences of paragraphs. Don’t worry if the recording isn’t perfect yet. Just concentrate on getting it right.

After you’ve done that, go back and listen to your recording. Does your own reading of the paragraph flow better than what you heard on the recording? If so, keep working on the recording. If not, keep working on reading the paragraph until it flows smoothly.

Furthermore, go back and re-read the paragraph. Pay attention to how each sentence builds on the previous one. This is called “subsequent recall”. It’s how you unconsciously learn the sequence of events in a story or how the main idea of a complex concept gets lodged in your mind. 

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4. Listen to the Recordings Continuously

You’re going to listen to your recordings over and over until they become second nature. This is important! Don’t just listen to them once. Listen to them repeatedly. It’s like practicing playing a musical instrument. You have to do it over and over until it becomes almost automatic. 

After you’ve listened to your recordings enough, go back and re-read the paragraph. Does your reading flow more smoothly now? If so, great! If not, keep working on the recording.  

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5. Write Paragraphs Down by Your Hand

Now it’s time to put all this together. What I want you to do is write out every single one of those memorized paragraphs by hand. Don’t worry about spelling or even putting words in the right order. Just concentrate on writing them by hand.

Why do this? The answer is simple: Practice makes perfect!

By writing every single one of these memorized paragraphs by hand, you will be practicing them in your mind. You’ll be rehearsing them until they become so automatic you can read them off the page without thinking. This process takes practice but it’s well worth the effort. The results are amazing.

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6. Teach It to Someone

This is a critical step in the process of learning how to learn. Once you’ve taught what you’ve memorized, then you will have truly imprinted those events on your memory. They’ll be there for life.

In addition, you’ll have an even deeper understanding of the material because you’ll have had an opportunity to share your knowledge with another person.

If you do this exercise properly, then you will have created a “learning machine” in your own mind. A machine that can turn on anytime you need to learn something new, and can give you an instant ability to reproduce it in your mind. 

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7. Sleep Well to Memorize Better

Sleep is important for memory reconstruction.

In fact, sleep is the one time in every day when your brain does not try to create a mental map of the world. This allows your memories to grow and change in a natural way.

In other words, your short term (or working) memory gets to reloaded with all those newly learned events and facts. And your long term (or permanent) memory gets to work on creating a detailed map of those same events and facts.

This is why it’s so important to make sure you are getting enough sleep each night. It gives your brain time to create those detailed maps.

If your brain doesn’t have time to do this, then it won’t have time to remember all those new events and facts you’ve been cramming into your short term memory.

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How to Memorize a Paragraph in Another Language?

There’s one very important thing you need to know before you attempt to memorize a paragraph in another language.

That is, you need to know the meaning of the paragraph.

Why? Because if you don’t know the meaning of the paragraph, it will be impossible for your brain to translate the sounds of the words into meaningful concepts.

It’s like trying to play “Guess Who?” by merely hearing the voices of the people who are speaking. You’ll never get the answer right because you’ll never be able to relate the voices to the people who are talking.

Therefore, you need to translate it into your native language and read it until you understand it. Once you’ve identified the foreign words, try to connect them to your native language. After you’ve gone through these steps, memorize it like every other paragraph!  

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How can I Memorize Things Quickly?

Here are some tips for your reference:

  • To improve memory, make sure you eat the right foods.
  • Memory and brain functions can be improved with enough water. 
  • Regular exercise is necessary to improve memory.
  • Regular meditation is beneficial for memory improvement.

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What is the Best Time to Study?

The answer to this question will vary from person to person.

Many people study best when they are tired. That’s because at that time their minds are open and they are more likely to absorb what you are teaching them.

Others learn better when they are very alert. This is the time when their brains are most receptive to new information.

So, the answer really depends on the person.

Just keep in mind, you should never force yourself to study when you are tired or sleepy. You should only study when your body and mind are in a relaxed state.

Conclusion

By now, hopefully, you should have a much better understanding of how to improve your memory.

And by using the tips and tricks mentioned in this article, you should be able to easily achieve this goal. Good luck!

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