When you were young, your parents taught you your native language by first, repeating sounds over and over again, then progressing into words, then sayings. It’s obvious that repeating words and sounds seems like the most natural way to remember, retain and learn a language. Then, as you progressed through secondary school and possibly college or university, you’ve spent your nights and days repeating the periodic table, or Floyd’s theories over and over again. But, during all of this repetition in hopes to remember the facts, did you realize that there were two different types of repetition strategies? Here, we will explain what they are and how to use it to maximize your learning, whether it is a new language or a new subject.
What Is the Difference?
It makes sense that repetition is just repeating something over and over again, right? But actually – that’s not entirely the case. There are over a dozen types of repetition! For example, Anadiplosis means repetition of the last word in a line or clause, Diacope is repetition of words broken by some other words and Polyptoton is repetition of words of the same root, with different endings. It can get pretty technical very fast. With that being said, it is also believed to be only two types, such as commonly understood repetition (like what is described above) and there is mindful repetition. Mindful repetition is actually understanding the meaning of what you are repeating, rather than just periodically repeating it over and over again. This strategy makes a connection in your mind with the meaning of the word or concept, thus making you more likely to remember it in a later point in time.
How To Implement Mindful Repetition In Your Learning Strategy?
If you are learning a language, instead of tediously repeating words, verbs and phrases, instead, take a deeper look at each word or verb and focus on its surroundings as well. Focus on how the word is said and what your mouth feels like when pronouncing it correctly. This triggers our feeling sense, which makes us more likely to remember. Think about linking words, or conjugations if it is a verb. Construct sentences in using this word, of things that you have done in the past. This triggers our memory senses, which in turn, will help us make an emotional connection, which aids in memory. Another tactic is to research the history of the word or phrase you are learning. This will also strengthen your emotional connection to the word and give you a unique way to remember. Lastly, when practicing with someone else, notice how they say the word and how their lips are moving and what syllables they stress. This will help you with your pronunciation and imprint the mental image of that person saying the word, thus creating another connection with the word.
Even if you’re not learning a language, if you’re learning the Pythagorean Theorem or how to structure an essay properly, talking about it, researching it and understanding it as a concept, rather than a fact will surely help you to remember it better. When you initially learn concepts and words like this, common repetition becomes a breeze!
