n words are formed by compounding other
words. "Rathausmarkt" is a long and apparently difficult German word,
and one's first temptation is to look it up in the lexicon and promptly
forget it. Let us analyze it, however, and we shall see that it is only
a compound of already familiar words. "_Rat_" is already familiar as
the word for counsel ("_raten"_ to give advice); "_haus_" is equally
familiar. So we see that the first part of the word means
council-house; the council-house of a city is called a city hall.
"_Markt_" is equally familiar as market-square, so the significance of
the entire word stands, city-hall-square. By such a method of utilizing
facts already known, you may make yourself much more independent of the
lexicon and may make your memory for foreign words much more tenacious.

We approach a phase of impression the importance of which is often
unsuspected; namely, the intention with which memorizing is done. The
fidelity of memory is greatly affected by the intention. If, at the
time of impression, you intend to retain only until the time of recall,
the material tends to slip away after that time. If, however, you
impress with the intention to retain permanently the material stays by
you better. Students make a great mistake when they study for the
purpose merely of retaining until after examination time. Intend to
retain facts permanently, and there will be greater likelihood of their
permanence.

READINGS AND EXERCISES

Readings: Adams (1) Chapter III. Seashore (16) Chapter II. Swift (20)
Chapter VII. Watt (21).

Exercise I. Cite examples from your own experience showing the effects
of the following faults in making impressions. _a_. First impression
not clear. _b_. Insufficient number of repetitions. _c_. Use of rote
method instead of method of logical association. _d_. Impressions not
distributed. _e_. Improper use of "part" method.

Exercise 2. After experimentation, state what is your most effective
sense avenue for the impression of foreign words, facts in history, the
pronunciation of English words.

Exercise 3. Make a preliminary draft of your next theme; lay it aside
for a day or two; then write another on the same subject; combine the
two, using the best parts of each; lay this aside for a day or two;
then read it aloud, making such changes as are prompted by the auditory
presentation. Can you find elements of worth in this method, which will
warrant you in adopting it, at least, in part