Method of Loci

Method of Loci

The Method of Loci or Method of Place is perhaps the oldest mnemonic device. It was used by the Greeks in 500 B.C. It is based on mentally positioning things-to-remember in a well-known room.

Use the Method of Loci by trying the following:

1. Imagine a very familiar place, such as a well-known street, building or room, which has many distinctive locations.

Imagine yourself walking through, for example, this room, carefully examining each location. For example, imagine walking in the door, turning right, seeing the bookcase, walking to the bookcase, looking at it, walking past it to the fireplace, looking in the fireplace, etc…

Now, make up a vivid, concrete list of everything that you need to remember. For example, the five things that you need to buy for a birthday party (e.g. cake, candles, balloons, present and music).

Associate each item with a location in the room. Imagine it as vividly as you can.

Walk through the room and look in each location, seeing the item where you placed in it.