Organization Practice -- List Structures

Incapable of Organization

Some material -- such as the items in the following list -- is not apparently capable of organization. If you are unfortunate enough to have to learn a list consisting of items that are not homogeneous, not mutually exclusive, and not exhaustive (i.e., some items that could apparently have been included in the list have been excluded) -- in other words, not logically related in any way -- then you will have a difficult time recalling the items, since logical association is one of the most powerful aids to recall. Some disciplines actually require you to know such material, although one would hope never to come across an example as bizarre as the following list:

Classification found in ancient Chinese encyclopedia

Belonging to the Emperor
Embalmed
Tame
Sucking Pigs
Sirens
Fabulous
Stray Dogs
Included in the present classification
Frenzied
Innumerable
Drawn with a very fine camelhair brush
et cetera
Having just broken the water pitcher
That from a long way off look like flies

Tip: If you do ever face the task of having to memorize material like this, try using a memory system in which you visualize the items and link the images one to another in bizarre or humorous ways, as described in Harry Lorayne's books, The Memory Book and How to Develop a Super Power Memory (in particular, look at the "Link" and "Substitute Word" techniques).

Capable of Organization

Instructions: The following list is capable of organization, but is in disorder. See if you can group the elements of the list in a logical way: or see if you can summarize and explain the information contained in this list.

Tigers
Harmless
Squirrels
Deer
Pets
Wild
Pigs
Dogs
Black Panthers
Domestic
Cattle
Animals
Cats
Dingos
Horses
Livestock
Possums
Dangerous
Lions
Woodchucks

Click here to see one way to organize this information.

Click here to see an alternative way to organize this information.