Memory hooks are temporary mental bridges that connect a new word to something you already know. The brain remembers images, emotions, stories, and associations, not isolated words.

The most effective hooks are:

• Sound-based (the word sounds like something familiar)
• Visual and exaggerated (absurd, emotional, or funny images)
• Personal (linked to your own experiences)

A good strategy is:

• Start with sound or letter similarity
• Add a quick visual image
• Use the word in context until the hook is no longer needed

Memory hooks should be fast, imperfect, and disposable.

Memory works best when you modify or create the final hook yourself.

The goal is not to remember the hook — but to forget it once the word sticks.