HOW TO USE ACRONYMS
What are acronyms? In this manual, we will refer to them as the use of letters to form words to stand for phrases, lists of names, sentences and groupings for easy remembrance.
The use of acronyms are important when we have extensive lists of names, places and circumstances to remember. Remembrance is accomplished by arranging the list in alphabetical or numerical sequence to remember the entire group. ROTE MEMORY is good but does not help much when the listings are unfamiliar and lengthy.
The best way is to develop a word from a list of alphabets to help getting started. There will be a word in each individual case that is preferred that will stick in your mind the first time. From this word, we will build an acronym for easy remembrance. For example:
A question might be such as this on an exam; Name four (4) Middle Eastern Countries that have had frequent wars with the last 10 years?
ANS: 1. Iraq 2. Kuwait 3. Lebanon 4. Ethiopia
Now we must form a vertical ladder with the words as follows:
Iraq
Kuwait
Lebanon
Ethiopia
We might arrange this in the best form for your memory. Using the first alphabet of these four (4) words, we break them down into acronyms. The forms might be as follows.
Iraq Kuwait Lebanon
Kuwait Iraq Iraq
Lebanon Lebanon Kuwait
Ethiopia Ethiopia Ethiopia
After setting up the alternate forms or ladders, we must ascertain our preferences. We have:
Ikle
Kile
Like
From a suggestive standpoint, we would favor LIKE for it is the easiest to remember.
Let us try words that are uncommon. The question is: In which three (3) Republics do most people speak Slavic languages?
ANS: 1. Byelorussia 2. Ukraine 3. Russia
Arrange in order to remember by aligning the first letter of the alphabet in ladder or vertical form for easy remembrance.
Byelorussia Byelorussia Ukraine Russia
Ukraine Russia Byelorussia Ukraine
Russia Ukraine Russia Byelorussia
Reduce to the two (2) easier choices---BUR and RUB. The best choice would be.
RUB
Let us try another. Name twelve (12) Middle Eastern Countries, which has a life expectancy above (57) years of age?
1. United Arab Emirates
2. Qatar
3. Israel
4. Bahrain
5. Saudi Arabia
6. Cyprus
7. Oman
8. Jordan
9. Turkey
10.Syria
11.Yemen
12.Egypt
We have (12) letters as a basis to start the acronym. U Q I C B S O J T S Y E. Now let us form word patterns that will give us an easy form to remember these (12) countries. Let us form the words BEST—JOY—QUICS.
From the above words that have been formed, we will construct a ladder and affix the names after each letter in the words.
1. Bahrain
2. Egypt
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Turkey
5. Jordan
6. Oman
7. Yemen
8. Qatar
9. United Arab Emirates
10. Israel
11. Cyprus
12. Syria
As can be seen by the letters in italics, we have formed a pattern for the best remembrance. Try practicing on your own by arranging words in patterns so as to form acronyms that stick in your mind is the way to get every answer correct on your exam without guessing.
Here is another fine example to remember names by association. A trip was taken to Europe and explored eight (8) countries. The visits were Holland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Italy, France, and Switzerland.
We have the letters H G B A I F S. Let us try forming a ladder to associate these letters.
Gas Fibh
If B Shag
Shif Gab
Fish Bag
Of the four (4) choices above, we would select FISH BAG.
We form the ladder of the places visited for easy remembrance.
France
Italy
Switzerland
Holland
Belgium
Austria
Germany
From the illustration above, you will be able to remember the names of all the places the first time after construction of the ladder. With each letter in FISH BAG, there is the country that can be easily remembered. You might want to try using your own for practice in order to make you letter selection and ladders easy to form and quickly.
Another form of acronyms are used when there are two (2) or more names with the same first letter in the acronym, list them in alphabetical order with the second and third letters of the word. For example, in the above illustration we have two (2) names that begin with the letter (S). We arrange these in alphabetical order.
SAUDI ARABIA
SYRIA
The name with the letter (A) Saudi is first in alphabetical sequence and the (Y) Syria.
Acronyms can also be used to help remember phrases or statements, for example:
IDENTIFY FOUR (4) BASIC STEPS IN THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS.
The Answer is:
1. Identify the problem
2. Generate alternative solutions
3. Find or select a solution
4. Implementing and evaluating the solution
We form a pattern by selecting the makeshift words FIG I or in the same sequence and the sentences GIIF.
When using FIG I we can remember.
FOSS Find or select/solution
IP Identify the problem
GAS Generate alternative solutions
IS Implement solution
Another desired pattern is GIIF in the same order of the steps to be taken.
1. GAS Generate alternative solutions
2. IP Identify the problem
3. IS Implement solution
4. FOSS Find or selection/solution
If the answer calls for proper order, put a number next to the acronym.
1. GAS (2)
2. IP (1)
3. IS (4)
4. FOSS (3)
The use of acronyms is not only a memory aid but also fun in finding the best possible form to use. Make practice sessions regularly and you will be able to remember the substance of your acronym immediately after you have formed them….. Permanently.
You may order this book from me for $12.95.
Tommy Thomas
2152 Jarvis, Warren Michigan 48091
(248) 508-3984
