Two Mental Operations
There are two distinct operations in this method. First the Imagination takes the two objects and determines how they shall be arranged; what they shall do; or how they are to look in the picture. Second, the mind's eye photographs the picture so arranged by the imagination. The impression is made upon the brain when the picture is photographed. You may decide upon a good combination of the objects, but if you do not SEE the picture you will not remember. The impression is made upon the brain when the mind's eye actually sees the picture which your Imagination has constructed. Just as the photographer first arranges his group in the manner that he thinks will make the best effect, then presses the bulb and exposes the plate. If he only arranged the group and did not expose the plate he would have no picture, and so, if you imagine the picture and do not SEE it, you will have poor memory.
Add to Your List
In the same way form pictures of the following objects. Use your own imagination to bring the objects together into motion pictures. In adding to your list, always begin with the last object and revisualize it with the new object. Thus you will link all together in an endless chain. Make memory pictures of the following:
Dishes and Wagon
Pile the dishes high upon the wagon and see them rattle off and break as the wagon moves. Be a cartoonist, make unusual pictures.
Wagon and Table
Make your own picture, and fix your attention upon it for a moment by seeing the details. What kind of a wagon is it? What color? How drawn?