Russian Recall and Power Sentences: Part II

So in my last post (Russian Recall and Power Sentences: Part I, check it out) I gave two broad ideas for how to use memorization to cement Russian words, phrases, grammar principles, etc. into your everyday Russian speech. As strange as it may be, I’m going to skip the 1st point, and go straight to the 2nd. It is as follows:

2. Build POWER SENTENCES to make your memorization efficient and organized.

I came up with the idea of Power Sentences while studying specific words and phrases I needed to know right then. I’m talking really commonplace things like verbs of motion, cases, commonplace items and things. Whether it’s super general or super specific though, you need something personal you can relate to, and a phrase you know you will be able to use in the real world. As helpful as workbooks and textbooks are for giving examples, the examples given don’t fit this realistic perspective. I mean let’s be honest, you want to be able to say something in 3 words rather than in 20.

Power Sentences, on the other hand, are created by you, for the specific principles you are studying. The purpose is to combine as many vocab words, grammar principles, prepositions, cases, and unusual language rules into one sentence as possible so you can memorize them all at once. Thus, by memorizing one phrase, you have a clear mental illustration of several words and grammar rules to be used later, rather than just a single word for every memorized phrase. Used often, these phrases will form mental building blocks and larger language construction pieces you can pull out of your utility belt whenever you need them. They can quickly go from a single phrase to multiple different pieces you switch fluidly into regular conversations.

Also worthy to mention: Power Sentences don’t always have to make a lot of sense! Its good if they do, but be creative! Switching things up occasionally keeps the brain going. The more unique they are, the easier they will be to remember. Make them your own, for your own personal needs. For example:

“Я застегнул свою дубленку чтобы защитить себя от диких обезьян, и надел свои новые кеды.”

You don’t get much more ridiculous than: “I zipped up my leather coat to protect myself from the wild monkeys, and put on my new Converse (or Vans)” But that’s the beauty of Power Sentences! I’m working on clothing terminology, and I need verbs, nouns and proper grammar structure. Let your own language needs dictate the phrases you need.

Now I need to keep studying(:

(Look out for Part III, where it ALL comes together)

Mark Kennedy, currently studying Russian at Liden & Denz Riga

Comments

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