The Loci System: Memory Palace
The Loci System
The loci system, also known as the art of memory, originated from a story about a Greek poet who used it to identify guests after a tragic banquet. The method involves attaching images to fixed locations along a familiar route, making it easier to remember items. The system was popularized by St. Thomas Aquinas and later by Jesuits, but was declared unholy by Puritan reformers in 1584.
How a student of literature can use the loci system to remember authors, literary works, plots, and ideas:
Choose a familiar route: First, choose a familiar route in your mind that you can visualize well. For example, you might choose the route you take from your home to school, or the route around your college campus. It's important that you can visualize this route clearly in your mind.
Identify loci: As you visualize your route, identify specific locations that you can use as "loci" for your memory palace. These might include specific buildings, landmarks, or even r…
