ABSTRACT
Rule one is to keep your mnemonics short and sweet (e.g. ‘Mighty Ape’ for the MT-AP sequence of heart sounds is quick and easy and obvious). Too many long anagram-type mnemonics are limited because they presuppose that you will know what the first letter stands for! So, rather than having mnemonics consisting of just several initial letters, aim for a multilevel approach. For instance, look at the first two, or even three letters, and try to phrase a word or sentence that is relevant to the subject matter – ‘Those Giant Gonads Prolong the Action’ tells you at least the first two or three letters of the names of the anterior pituitary hormones, and the phrase is also in context with the topic, as well as being humorous.
