This is a summary of the 20-rules from “Twenty rules of formulating knowledge” (SuperMemo) by Piotr Wozniak. (SuperMemo)
Key ideas
- How you formulate what you learn matters at least as much as what you learn. Good formulation—simple, precise, structured—makes memorization much faster. (SuperMemo)
- The first rules focus on comprehension and structure; the later ones deal with memory-level optimization (format, interference, reminders, etc.). (SuperMemo)
- Use of spaced repetition is assumed as the substrate for all these rules to yield strong retention. (SuperMemo)
The 20 Rules (abbreviated)
- Don’t learn what you don’t understand. Comprehension first — blind memorizing is mostly wasted effort. (SuperMemo)
- Learn before you memorize. Build a mental map of the subject before drilling facts. (SuperMemo)
- Build upon the basics. Master fundamentals before tackling complexity. (SuperMemo)
- Stick to the minimum-information principle. Pack each item with the smallest, most atomic chunk of knowledge. (SuperMemo)
- Use cloze-deletions when possible. Fill-in-the-blank memory cues are simple and efficient for flashcards. (SuperMemo)
- Use imagery. Visuals often stick far better than words. (SuperMemo)
- Use mnemonic techniques. Peg-lists, associations, maps — for tricky or dense material. (SuperMemo)
- Graphic deletion ≈ cloze deletion. Hiding parts of an image to force recall works like blank-filling. (SuperMemo)
- Avoid sets. Large unordered collections (like “list all EU countries”) are very hard to memorize directly. (SuperMemo)
- Avoid enumerations. Sequences/lists are tricky; better to use smaller items or cloze-deletions. (SuperMemo)
- Combat interference. Similar items can cause confusion — minimize overlap and add distinguishing cues. (SuperMemo)
- Optimize wording. Use concise, clear formulations. Avoid fluff. (SuperMemo)
- Refer to existing memories. Link new items to what you already know for better integration. (SuperMemo)
- Personalize and use examples. Personal context helps anchor memories — makes them more memorable. (SuperMemo)
- Use emotional/contextual states. Memories tied to emotions or context tend to be more durable. (SuperMemo)
- Use context cues to simplify. Embedding items in a context reduces ambiguity and interference. (SuperMemo)
- Redundancy doesn’t always hurt. Slight overlap or multiple paths to recall can help memory, as long as each card stays simple. (SuperMemo)
- Provide sources. Track origin of info — especially for complex or changeable material. (SuperMemo)
- Date-stamp volatile knowledge. Good for facts or data that may change over time. (SuperMemo)
- Prioritize. Some knowledge is more valuable than other. Focus on high-value material; refine or discard the rest. (SuperMemo)