How to Use ChatGPT for Mnemonics

This article will show you how to use ChatGPT to make learning easier and more fun through mnemonics.

Here are the five ChatGPT prompts that will help you create memorable mnemonics:

Let’s say we want to remember the order of planets from the Sun outward.

Input using the template:

I need to memorize this list of planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Please create:
1. A memorable acronym
2. A rhyming phrase
3. A short story connecting all items
Choose the most effective method based on the content.

Example response you’d get:

1. Acronym:
   “My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Noodles”
   (M-V-E-M-J-S-U-N)
2. Rhyming Phrase:
   “Mercury’s near, Venus is clear,
   Earth where we stay, Mars leads the way,
   Jupiter’s might, Saturn’s delight,
   Uranus flies, Neptune’s the prize”
3. Short Story:
   “A tiny MESSENGER (Mercury) carried VALENTINES (Venus) to EVERYONE (Earth) on MARS. While traveling, he met a JOLLY giant (Jupiter) who was SKATING (Saturn) on rings. The giant’s UMBRELLA (Uranus) got blown away into the deep blue NAVY (Neptune) waters.”

Let’s use Template #2 (Complex Concept Template) with an example of learning the basic process of photosynthesis.

Input using the template:

Help me create a memorable mnemonic for the photosynthesis process:
Requirements:
- Break it down into key components
- Create a visual memory palace
- Link each component to familiar objects or actions
- Provide a step-by-step memory journey

Example response:

Key Components:

• Sunlight
• Water (H₂O)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Chlorophyll
• Glucose (sugar)
• Oxygen

Visual Memory Palace: “The Solar Kitchen”
(A familiar kitchen setting where photosynthesis becomes a cooking process)

Step-by-Step Memory Journey:

1. Kitchen Window (Sunlight)
   Imagine bright sunlight streaming through your kitchen window. The sun’s rays are like golden cooking beams.
2. Kitchen Sink (Water)
   Picture water flowing from the tap, representing H₂O being drawn up through plant roots.
3. Air Vent (Carbon Dioxide)
   Visualize an air vent blowing in CO₂ like invisible cooking gas.
4. Green Chef’s Apron (Chlorophyll)
   See a bright green chef’s apron hanging nearby – this represents chlorophyll, the master chef of the process.
5. Sugar Bowl (Glucose)
   On the counter sits a sugar bowl being filled magically from the combination of ingredients.
6. Opening Window (Oxygen)
   The window opens to release oxygen bubbles into the air, like steam from cooking.

Memory Chain:
“The Solar Kitchen Chef (wearing green) catches sunbeams through the window, mixes them with sink water and air vent gas to magically fill the sugar bowl, while opening the window to let out fresh air.”

This memory palace works because it:

• Uses a familiar setting (kitchen)
• Creates logical connections (cooking process)
• Employs visual associations
• Follows a natural flow of movement

Let’s use Template #3 (Sequential Process Template) with an example of remembering the steps of cell division (Mitosis phases).

Input using the template:

I need a mnemonic device for remembering this sequence: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase
Please create:
1. A sentence where each word starts with the same letter as each step
2. A musical rhythm or simple tune
3. A visual chain of connected images
Make it suitable for beginner level.

Example response:

1. Letter-Based Sentence:
   “Powerful Monsters Attack Tonight”
   (P-M-A-T)
2. Musical Rhythm (to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”):
   🎵 Pro-phase starts the show,
   Meta-phase makes them go,
   Ana-phase pulls apart,
   Telo-phase lets them grow! 🎵
3. Visual Chain:

• Prophase: Picture a Professional athlete “warming up” (chromosomes condensing)
• Metaphase: imagine a Middle line where athletes line up before a race (chromosomes align)
• Anaphase: visualize Athletes running Away from each other (chromosomes separate)
• Telophase: think of Two Teams finishing the race (two new cells form)

Sports Race Story Connection:
“Think of cell division as a relay race:

• Players warm up (Prophase)
• Line up in the middle (Metaphase)
• Run away to opposite sides (Anaphase)
• Finish as two teams (Telophase)”

This works well for beginners because:

• Uses familiar sports concepts
• Creates clear visual imagery
• Offers multiple memory methods
• Maintains logical sequence

Let’s use Template #4 (Technical Terms Template) with medical terminology for bones in the human hand.

Input using the template:

Create multiple mnemonic options for these technical terms: Phalanges, Metacarpals, Carpals
For each term, provide:
- Word association tricks
- Similar-sounding common words
- Mini-stories incorporating the meaning
Target audience: First-year medical students

Example response:

1. PHALANGES (Finger bones)

• Word Association: “Fa-LAN-ges” = “Fingers LANG-uage” (like sign language)
• Similar Sound: “Falcons” (birds grab with talons like fingers grab)
• Mini-Story: “The FALCON LANDED on my FINGERS, reminding me that PHALANGES are the bones that help us grab things”

1. METACARPALS (Palm bones)

• Word Association: “META” (middle) + “CARPALS” (car-pools)
• Similar Sound: “Meet-a-car” (palm meets car steering wheel)
• Mini-Story: “When you MEET-A-CAR, your palm on the steering wheel uses your METACARPALS to drive”

1. CARPALS (Wrist bones)

• Word Association: “CAR-PALS” (wrist movement while driving)
• Similar Sound: “Car-pools” (carpals keep your wrist flexible while carpooling)
• Mini-Story: “Your CARPALS are like a CAR’s steering joint – they help your wrist turn and pivot”

Complete Memory System:
“When driving a CAR (Carpals/wrist),
you MEET-A-steering wheel (Metacarpals/palm),
using FALCON-like grip (Phalanges/fingers)”

This system works because it:

• Uses everyday driving scenarios
• Links technical terms to familiar words
• Creates logical connections
• Builds on common experiences

Let’s use Template #5 (Historical/Chronological Template) with the major periods of art history.

Input using the template:

Help me remember this timeline/sequence of art periods: Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Modern Art
Create a mnemonic system using:
1. A memorable narrative
2. Character-based associations
3. Location-based memory pegs
Focus on connecting time periods logically.

Example response:

1. Memorable Narrative: “The Artist’s Journey Through Time”

Location: An evolving art museum where each room represents a period

Room 1: RENAISSANCE (1400-1600)

• Character: A Rebirth Baby
• Setting: Bright sunrise room
• Memory Hook: “The baby is being born (Rebirth) while perfect geometric sunrays shine through windows” (represents Renaissance precision)

Room 2: BAROQUE (1600-1750)

• Character: A Bold Drama Queen
• Setting: Dark, dramatic theater
• Memory Hook: “The drama queen creates dramatic shadows and emotional scenes” (represents Baroque intensity)

Room 3: ROCOCO (1750-1850)

• Character: A Rich Party Princess
• Setting: Pink, ornate parlor
• Memory Hook: “The princess throws lavish parties with delicate pastries” (represents Rococo decoration)

Room 4: NEOCLASSICISM (1750-1850)

• Character: A Noble Roman Senator
• Setting: White marble hall
• Memory Hook: “The senator gives speeches surrounded by columns” (represents return to classical ideals)

Room 5: ROMANTICISM (1800-1850)

• Character: A Passionate Poet
• Setting: Wild nature scene
• Memory Hook: “The poet writes in a storm-swept landscape” (represents emotional expression)

Room 6: IMPRESSIONISM (1865-1885)

• Character: A Sun-loving Painter
• Setting: Outdoor garden
• Memory Hook: “The painter captures fleeting sunlight on flowers” (represents light and moment)

Room 7: MODERN ART (1900-present)

• Character: A Rule-breaking Rebel
• Setting: Abstract space
• Memory Hook: “The rebel breaks all the museum’s rules” (represents modern innovation)

Story Connection:
“As you walk through the museum, you see:
A baby in sunlight (Renaissance) grows into a drama queen (Baroque), who attends a princess’s party (Rococo), meets a Roman senator (Neoclassicism), listens to a storm-watching poet (Romanticism), joins a sun-chasing painter (Impressionism), and finally becomes a rebel breaking all rules (Modern).”

This system works because it:

• Creates visual progression
• Uses distinctive characters
• Links periods logically
• Employs spatial memory
• Reflects each period’s characteristics