The Silver String Technique incorporates a visual association mnemonic known as the link method. The following 20 words with corresponding ‘story-points’ provide a quick example of how to use visual imagery to represent abstract data in a memorable way. Read the list of words and story points once. Allow your imagination to build up a rich visual impression of the scenes described in the story. Then, try to recall as many of the words as you can by replaying the story in your mind (and without peaking at this page!).
- Porridge: Imagine a steaming bowl of porridge on a table in a woodland hut.
- Baby: A baby with ridiculous long Goldilocks hair is eating the porridge.
- Dice: Some green dice roll across the table, knocking the porridge bowl.
- Letter: The dice come to a halt on a fancy looking wax-sealed letter.
- Beard: A bear with a wizard-like grey beard opens up the letter.
- Meteor: The letter reads “Meteor Shower Soon”. Impact. The room explodes.
- Screw: When the smoke settles only a single shiny screw remains.
- Steam: The screw leaps into the cogs of a passing steam train as if by magic.
- Music: The steam from the train bellows out in the shape of music notes.
- Bubbles: A train passenger blowing bubbles notices the music notes.
- Mud: The train churns up mud into the faces of some passersby.
- Brave: The mud lands on a brave looking soldier.
- Plug: The soldier’s armour is made of bath plugs, including his helmet.
- Swing: The soldier rests his weary body on a park swing.
- Needle: The soldier produces a needle and thread.
- Hope: The soldier stitches a red poppy to his chest. A symbol of hope.
- Photo: The soldier wearily produces a photo of his now fallen brothers.
- Break: The soldier rips the photo up many times in anger.
- Chicken: A clucking chicken pecks at the shredded photo as if it were bread.
- Operation: Some time later the chicken is passed out in a hospital operating theatre, stomach open, surrounded by frantic physicians.
You will probably surprise yourself with how many words you manage to recall. What’s even more surprising is that you will still be able to remember most of the words in 3 days time, with no rehearsal in between. Sceptical? Sign up for a one-off email reminder 3 days from now and put my claim to the test!