The process of this New Method of Decomposition and Recomposition is as follows:--Find the _shortest sentence or phrase that makes sense_ in the sentence to be memorised. Add to this short sentence or phrase, _modifiers_ found in the original sentence, always italicising each new addition--one at a time--until the original sentence is finally restored. Suppose we wish to memorise Bacon's definition of education: "_Education is the cultivation of a just and legitimate familiarity betwixt the mind and things._" Begin with the briefest sentence and then go on: 1. Education is cultivation. 2. Education is _the_ cultivation _of a familiarity_. 3. Education is the cultivation of a familiarity _betwixt the mind and things_. 4. Education is the cultivation of a _just_ familiarity betwixt the mind and things. 5. Education is the cultivation of a just _and legitimate_ familiarity betwixt the mind and things. In this process, the sentence is first taken to pieces, and then reconstructed. Finding the lowest terms, "Education is cultivation," we proceed step by step to add modifiers until the original sentence is fully restored.
Each time we make an addition, we recite _so much_ of the original sentence as has hitherto been used, in connection with the _new modifiers_ laying _special emphasis_ on the new matter as represented by the italic words. The intellect is thus kept compulsorily and delightfully occupied from the start to the finish. It seeks the shortest phrase or sentence and adds successively all the modifiers, making no omissions. This analyzing and synthesizing process--_this taking to pieces and then gradually building up_ the original sentence, makes a deep and lasting First Impression.
Every time this method is used the Attention ought to be strengthened and mind-wandering diminished and the natural Memory strengthened in both its Stages.
This process admits usually of several applications in the case of a long sentence. In the foregoing example, it might have proceeded thus: 1. Education is a familiarity. 2. Education is the familiarity _betwixt the mind and things_. 3. Education is the _cultivation_ of a familiarity betwixt the mind and things. 4. Education is the cultivation of _just_ familiarity betwixt the mind and things. 5. Education is the cultivation of a just _and legitimate_ familiarity betwixt the mind and things. Or we might have taken this course: 1. Education is a familiarity. 2. Education is a familiarity _betwixt the mind and things_. 3. Education is a _just_ familiarity betwixt the mind and things. 4. Education is a just _and legitimate_ familiarity betwixt the mind and things. 5. Education is _the cultivation_ of a just and legitimate familiarity betwixt the mind and things.