It's that time of the season when students should be memorizing their scripts. Believe it or not, memorizing is harder for most middle school students than actually getting up to perform! I can promise, though, that after students get through the memorization hump - it is smooth sailing (and when the FUN happens).
I also, believe, that learning to memorize is an incredible valuable skill. Forensics students are expected to memorize difficult dialogue and prose selections that are approximately 7 minutes in length. That's a lot! If a student can do this, though, they are training their brains to be able to take in many types of information efficiently and expediently.
Here are some memorization tactics and tips to help make this an easier process:
I also, believe, that learning to memorize is an incredible valuable skill. Forensics students are expected to memorize difficult dialogue and prose selections that are approximately 7 minutes in length. That's a lot! If a student can do this, though, they are training their brains to be able to take in many types of information efficiently and expediently.
Here are some memorization tactics and tips to help make this an easier process:
- Set goals. It is not realistic to memorize an entire piece in one day. Split the script up into smaller parts and set deadlines for those sections.
- Some different ways to memorize:
- Line by line. With the script in front of you, read the line aloud. Say it aloud without looking at the line. Repeat the sentence 2-3 times until you can do it without looking down. Move on to the next sentence and do the same thing. Before moving on to the next line, repeat the sentences together. This may seem slow but it is progressive and will work. Do this in paragraph chunks and make sure to repeat everything you've done before moving on.
- Record yourself saying the speech (smartphones are perfect for this!). Then you can listen to it on headphones, while in the shower, in the car, etc. Just like learning a song, hearing it repeatedly will help you!
- Write your piece from memory. We know something is really solidified in our brains when we can write it down from memory. You can start this by writing the piece down while you are still memorizing it and doing this periodically to test your recall.
- Make sure to practice, often! Forensics practice doesn't have to be pre-planned! Speeches can be recited in almost any environment and making sure to take the time to do this will make sure you do not loose your memorization!