HOW TO STUDY HISTORY TERMS

HOW TO STUDY HISTORY TERMS

When studying any topic, the goal is to make the information "stick." But the best methods for doing this will differ from topic to topic.

When you study terms (definitions) for a history exam, the best way to make the information stick is to understand the term in context, or understand how it relates to other terms and facts.

In history classes, especially as you get closer to college, you are usually expected to know why an event is important. This is why history tests contain so many essay or long-answer questions.

Clumping History Terms

Sometimes a teacher will give students a study guide that contains a list of possible terms for the test. More often than not, the list will be long and intimidating. Some of the words may seem brand new to you!

If the teacher doesn't provide a list, you should come up with one yourself. Go through your notes and the chapter(s) to come up with a comprehensive list.

Don't be overwhelmed by a long list of terms. You'll see that they quickly seem familiar once you start to review your notes. The list will seem shorter and shorter as you study.

1-First, you'll need to locate the terms in your class notes. Underline them or circle them, but don't use a colored highlighter just yet.

2-Review your notes and see which terms appeared in the same lecture. Find relationships between the terms.

3-Write a paragraph that contains three or four terms. Your paragraph should contain a date and the names of any important person who might be related to the significance of the events or terms (like a president).

4-Keep writing paragraphs until you use up your terms. Remember that you can re-use a term if one term fits well with two or more clumps. This is a good thing! The more you repeat a term, the more you'll understand its significance.

Once you have finished making and reading over your paragraphs, you should find a way to utilize your best learning style.

Suggestions:

VISUAL: Go back to your notes and use a highlighter to connect your terms. For example, highlight each term in one paragraph green and highlight terms from another paragraph yellow, etc.

AUDITORY: Find a recording device  to record yourself as you read over each paragraph slowly. Listen to your recording several times.

TACTILE: Make flashcards by putting all the terms on one side of a card and the entire paragraph on the flip side.

Repeat your process until every term seems completely familiar to you. You'll be ready to answer individual definitions, long and short answer questions, and essay questions!

MEMORIZING DATES

How to Remember Dates for a Test

Dates are often difficult to remember because they seem so random and obscure unless we can relate them to something specific.

For instance, the American Civil War started in 1861, but unless you have a strong interest in the specific timeline of the war, there is nothing special about the starting date that separates that date from any other. What makes 1861 stand apart from 1863 or 1851?

When trying to memorize a date, students can really benefit from a mnemonic system (memory technique) to help them recall the right numbers in the right order.

For memorizing dates it might be helpful to borrow a practice from the London Cockneys.

A Cockney is an inhabitant of the East End of London, England. Cockneys have an old tradition of using rhyming slang as a secret language, of sorts. The tradition originated centuries ago, and it was used by London’s thieves, traders, entertainers, and other members from the lower stratums of society.

In Cockney slang:

Can you believe it? becomes Can you Adam and Eve it?

More examples:

*Whistle and flute = suit

*White mice = ice

*Tom Hanks = thanks

*Trouble and strife = wife

REMEMBERING DATES

We can use the same method to remember dates. Simply think of a term that rhymes with your date. Make sure your rhyme is a little silly and that it paints a strong picture in your head.

You can leave off the century, so that 1861, the starting date for the Civil War, becomes 61.

Example:

*61 = Sticky gun

Imagine a Civil War soldier struggling with a gun that’s been covered with honey. It may sound silly, but it works!

More examples:

1773 was the date of the date of the Boston Tea Party. To remember this, you could think:

*73 = Heavenly tea

You can just picture protesters sipping lovely cups of tea right before tossing them in the water.

1983ks the end of the Revolutionary War.

*83 = Ladies’ bee

For this image, think of several women sitting around a quilt and celebrating by stitching a red, white & blue quilt.

The most important element of this method is to come up with a great, amusing image. The funnier it is, the more memorable it will be. If possible, come up with a little story to connect all your mental images.