The problem this solves
“I want to combine words and images but I can't draw.”
Primary keyword: dual coding
What you'll learn
- What dual coding actually means
- Cheap visual techniques for non-artists
- How to pair a diagram with a sentence
- Three real before/after examples
The science behind it: Dual Coding
Dual coding is the practice of representing new information in two complementary forms (verbal and visual) so that both channels support memory.
Why it matters
Words plus pictures activate more retrieval routes than words alone, making concepts easier to recall and to recognise from new angles.
How to apply it
- When you learn a new concept, draw a quick diagram or sketch before moving on.
- Use concept maps that combine words and spatial arrangement.
- When teaching, alternate between explaining verbally and using visuals.
Common mistakes
- Treating diagrams as decoration rather than as a parallel encoding channel.
- Drawing pictures that merely copy the text instead of re-representing the idea.
- Skipping the verbal channel entirely, which still matters for precise recall.
Read the full concept: Dual Coding.
Where this fits
Part of module Memory That Stays.
More articles in this module
- How to Remember What You Study : how to remember new study material
- The Forgetting Curve, Explained Without Jargon : forgetting curve
- What Is Spaced Repetition (And Why It Works) : spaced repetition
- Build a Flashcard System That Actually Works : flashcard system
- The One-Sentence-Per-Card Rule : how to make flashcards