The principles of memory can be applied to the rapid and effective memorization of lists of information using the link system. The link system is an easy memory system to master and produces rapid and dramatic results. The link system improves concentration and demonstrates that good concentration skills will enable you to memorize vast amounts of information.

The link system is the expansion of the paired association principle to a list of words. The link system works like a series of chain links (that’s where the name comes from). Each item in a list is linked to the next, so that when one item is recalled it automatically leads to the next, which automatically leads to the next, and so forth. To remember a list, concentrate only on one link at a time.

Memorizing lists one paired association at a time means that by the time you reach the third item of a list, the first item should be completely put aside so that you are totally concentrating on making a paired association between the second and third items. Likewise, when you reach the forth item, the second is put aside for a paired association between the third and fourth.

For example, in order to remember a list of four items such as horse, grass, ring, pencil, first visualize the horse chewing up hunks of fresh cool grass. Then, visualize grass twining around on a ring, then the ring is being tossed on a pencil.

Now, when you think of the first word in the list you think horse- ,

then grass-____________________, then ring-________________________.

The following list can be easily memorized with the link system by concentrating on one pair at a time. Read the list carefully, then go to the next paragraph and read the associations that I have created for you. Really let your imagination work for you. Think in vivid pictures and images with smells, tastes, and feelings.

Use the following paired associations, concentrating 5 to 10 seconds for each association to make a good visual and sensory image:

Butter is being rubbed on an orange, which is now real buttery.

The orange is sliced and sandwiched between some crackers.

The crackers are being wrapped tightly in aluminum foil.

The aluminum foil is rolled into a ball and stuck into a half avocado.

The avocado is sliced onto a lettuce salad.

Lettuce is being eaten by a chicken.

A chicken is made of ice cream.

Ice cream is scooped into a root beer float, which is foaming up vigorously.

Now, beginning with butter, what was the list?

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Below are some more lists. Practice slowly and with good concentration. Spend 5-10 seconds on each paired association. Link each list after only one reading, and write it on the next page. Do one list at a time, and only one per day.

nail thumb phonebook

mouse Indian elephant

eye mountain tree

key skin scissors

snake spaghetti child

zebra arm cup

table bull robe

rock rose pony

ship hair lamp

whale bone briefcase

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Try a list with 14 words. Learn one per day:

List 4

casket

ice

blanket

binoculars

flower

noodle

hatchet

crab

lion

knife

tent

lobster

plant

Santa Claus

List 4

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Now, try a couple of lists of 20. Learn them one list at a time, going back for list 6 after you finish writing list 5.

picture donkey

bed pencil sharpener

rainbow dollar bill

mountain ants

street present

bush lamp

chimney dictionary

bra truck

light house cabbage

can sewer

house shell

orange volcano

lock piano

coral record

glasses wine

yarn t-shirt

desk pool

rug rock

calculator walnut

mug moth

Can you recall the lists?

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The first law of Ecology