The Peg System is the system often used by stage performers to remember a series of items. The peg system shown below has only twelve pegs; however, pegs can be created to accommodate larger numbers of items.

With peg systems, the pegs never change. Once you have selected a peg system and have memorized all the pegs in order, the pegs remain constant. The items you wish to remember are "hung" on the pegs through a visualization process. As you recall each of the items, you first visualize the peg and then visualize the item hanging on the peg.

Steps for Using a Peg System

1. Memorize the pegs in order. Begin my looking at the first peg and making a picture of that peg in your mind. Continue to add pegs to your visual memory. Go back and review the previous pegs before you add each new peg.

2. Practice recalling the pegs out of order. Think of the number, then associate the number to the picture represented as a peg or "memory hook."

3. Visually place an item on the peg. Make a clear visual association in your mind. Exaggerating the picture on the peg or making a strange, bizarre picture with the peg will help you recall the information more readily.

4. Practice picturing the pegs and the items hanging on them. Review often.

A Rhyming Peg System

Instead of using pegs to resemble the shape of the numerals, pegs can be based on rhyming words. You may create your own pegs or use pictures for the rhyming words given below.

1 = bun   2 = shoe   3= see   4 = door   5 = hive

6 = sticks   7 = heaven   8 = gate   9 = pine   10 = hen

The items you wish to remember are hung on these pegs just as they are hung on the pegs that are made of pictures resembling the shapes of numerals.