Reading and Memorization Techniques

Reading and Memorization Techniques
Master the most effective strategies to study, understand, and memorize literary texts efficiently and lastingly.
Overview: The Three Phases of Study
To master any literary text, we must follow three fundamental phases that work complementarily. Each phase has its specific function in the learning process.
Comprehension Reading
First, we understand the text, giving it meaning and context. The mind retains better when it understands.
Visual Memory
We transform the text into images, symbols, and stories that our mind easily remembers.
Fixation
We fix the content through recitation, ensuring it is not forgotten over time.
Phase 1: Comprehensive Global Reading
Get the Overview
Before delving into the details, you need a global understanding of the entire subject. This first reading is like consulting a map before starting a journey.
Read the entire topic or document without getting caught up in details
Identify the main sections and how they relate
Jot down the main idea of each paragraph in 2-3 words in the margin
Do not underline yet in this phase
Important Tip: This global reading helps you create a mental framework where you can later place specific details.
Phase 1: Comprehensive Paragraph Reading
With the general overview in mind, work paragraph by paragraph, following this proven method:
01
Read and Understand
Read the paragraph several times until its full meaning is clear. Do not move to the next until you have mastered it.
02
Teacher's Technique
Explain the paragraph aloud in your own words, as if you were teaching it to someone from scratch. This solidifies real understanding.
03
Strategic Underlining
Underline only the most essential sentences that summarize the main idea. Do not underline everything, or you will lose the meaning.
Phase 2: Symbolization - The Foundation of Visual Memory
Symbolization transforms plain text into quick, eye-catching drawings. You don't need to be an artist, just create symbols that impact your memory.
Emotions
Love, hate, sadness, disgust, joy
Sexual Content
The mind remembers better what provokes
Known People
Celebrities, friends, family
Controversial Topics
Drugs, crimes, politics
Phonetics and Spelling
Abbreviations, acronyms, similar sounds
Flags
National and cultural symbols
Golden rule: The more shocking and emotional the symbol, the better you will remember it. Don't be afraid to be bold.
Bonsai Method: Visualize Knowledge
Transform Text into Visual Art
The goal is to convert all textual content into a single visual page that you can "see" as a mental photograph.
Comprehensive Reading
Read and understand first
Create Symbols
Draw unique symbols for each concept. Eliminate unnecessary articles and verbs. Unify: use the same symbol for similar concepts.
Organize
Represent the symbols in an organized manner on a separate sheet
Commit It
Review aloud to commit it to memory
"To see knowledge is to retain it. Create a mental photo you won't forget."
Hook and Film Methods
Hook Method
When to use: Topics already studied, but not 100% solidified
How to do it: Choose 4-5 keywords from a paragraph and create symbols for them. Place them in the margin as memory triggers.
Comprehensive reading and underlining
Symbolization of keywords
Application of Matryoshkas to solidify
Film Method
When to use: Dry, complex, and hard-to-remember texts
How to do it: Transform the text into an exciting visual story with a protagonist that evokes anger, tenderness, hatred, fear, or laughter.
Read and understand
Choose an emotional protagonist
Invent a story with keywords
Recall: read by reconstructing the story
Recite the text while thinking about the film
Real Example: The Movie Method
Original Legal Text:
"...the following provisional measures may be agreed: Temporary suspension of activities. Provision of guarantees..."
Movie 1: The Bride
Imagine a bride who orders a custom dress, because she is afraid of gaining weight (provisional measures).
She stops eating sweets temporarily (temporary suspension of activities).
Since healthy food is expensive, her mother lends her money (provision of guarantees).
Movie 2: The Couple
A couple decides to separate or take a break (provisional measures).
They suspend intimate activities (temporary suspension of activities).
One lends money to the other to help (provision of guarantees).
Result: You remember the legal text effortlessly, thanks to the emotional story. The key is to visualize, feel, and relive the mental movie.
Phase 3: Sealing - The Matryoshka Method
Sealing is the indispensable step that solidifies all prior knowledge. Without it, all previous effort is useless. We must always recite aloud.
Entire Topic
Large Matryoshka
Full Page
Medium Matryoshka
Paragraphs
Small Matryoshka
Practical Application: The Three Levels of Matryoshkas
Small Matryoshka
Scope: Each individual paragraph
How: Visualize the images and symbols created (not the text) and recite the full content of the paragraph based on them.
Medium Matryoshka
Scope: An entire page
How: Recite the entire page without looking at the hooks or bonsais, presenting the topic continuously. If you get stuck, visualize the symbol.
Large Matryoshka
Scope: The complete topic
How: Recite the entire topic aloud, mentally visualizing all the symbolism (hooks, bonsais, or films).
Final Tip: Reciting aloud forces your brain to visualize without looking at anything. This active effort is what creates lasting memory. Do not skip this step!
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