Memorizing The Constitution: Strategies For Recall And Retention

how to remember parts of constitution

The Indian Constitution is a lengthy and complex document that lays the foundation for the nation's governance. With 448 articles, 25 parts, and 12 schedules, it can be challenging to remember all the details. However, there are several tricks and techniques to help you easily remember the important articles and parts of the Indian Constitution, especially if you are preparing for a judiciary exam. From simple mnemonics to adding numbers to certain articles, these methods can make the task of memorising the constitution more manageable.

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Mnemonic devices for remembering the 25 parts of the Indian Constitution

The Indian Constitution is a lengthy document with 448 articles, 25 parts, and 12 schedules. The 25 parts deal with various topics such as Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and the Judiciary. Here are some mnemonic devices to help you remember the 25 parts of the Indian Constitution:

Mnemonic 1: U Can Fly Directly From the US to UP to Meet the Child of Shyam and Ram; Fruits Taste Sweet To Eat, So Only Eat Maggi As Tasty Snack. This mnemonic helps you remember all 25 parts.

Mnemonic 2: Read From the Start to End Please (from part XI to part XVI). This mnemonic is helpful for remembering parts XI to XVI.

Additionally, here are some general tips and tricks to remember the articles of the Indian Constitution:

  • Note the sequence of the articles.
  • For articles related to Emergency Provisions, add 4 to every subsequent article.
  • Add 90 to the articles of the Centre to get their counterparts in the States.
  • Add 89 to the articles of the Centre to get their counterparts in the States.
  • Create your own mnemonics or acronyms to remember important articles and schedules.

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Simple statements to remember the features of the British Constitution

The British Constitution is unique in that it is uncodified, meaning that it is not contained in a single document. Instead, it is spread across various sources, including specific Acts of Parliament, constitutional conventions, and case law. This makes it challenging to identify and understand. Here are some simple statements to help remember the key features of the British Constitution:

Parliamentary Sovereignty: "The UK Parliament is sovereign." This means that Parliament has the power to make or unmake any law without being constrained by a written constitution. This principle was recognised in the Magna Carta in 1215, which established that the King must call a "common counsel" (now Parliament) to represent the people.

Rule of Law: "The law is supreme." This principle affirms that everyone, including the government and its officials, is subject to the law. It also implies that laws are created through legitimate processes and are publicly known, clear, and enforced impartially.

Democracy: "The people have a voice." The UK is a democratic society, where the interpretation and application of rights under the European Convention on Human Rights must consider what is necessary in a democratic society. This principle is further strengthened by the social welfare state, which supports democratic life.

Upholding International Law: "International commitments matter." The UK has consistently supported organisations formed under international law since the World Wars. The courts have recognised the importance of international law, interpreting it as part of UK law (monist theory) or requiring translation into domestic law (dualist theory).

Flexibility: "Change is constant." The lack of a codified constitution makes the British Constitution flexible and easily changeable. It can be altered by a simple majority vote in Parliament, without needing to satisfy additional requirements as in some other countries.

These statements provide a basic framework for understanding the key features of the British Constitution, highlighting its unique characteristics and the principles that guide the country's governance.

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Tricks for remembering the Articles of the Constitution in under 10 minutes

The Indian Constitution is a lengthy and complex document that lays the foundation for the nation's governance. It contains 448 articles, 25 parts, and 12 schedules. Here are some tricks to help you remember the Articles of the Constitution in under 10 minutes:

Mnemonic Devices

Create memorable phrases or sentences where the first letter of each word corresponds to the first letter of the articles you need to remember. For example, to remember the six features of the Indian Constitution, you can use the phrase "Lazy Elephants Jump Slowly And Sit Regularly." Here's how it works:

  • L = Legislative
  • E = Executive
  • J = Judicial
  • S = States
  • A = Amendment Process
  • S = Supremacy of Constitution
  • R = Ratification

You can also create your own mnemonic devices by associating the articles with something memorable to you, such as a story, a picture, or a song.

Simple Math Tricks

  • Trick 1: For articles related to Emergency Provisions, add 4 to the article number. For example, if the article is 100, the corresponding Emergency Provision article would be 104.
  • Trick 2: For articles from the Centre, add 90 to the article number. For instance, if the article is 112, the corresponding Centre article would be 202.
  • Trick 3: For articles from the States, add 89 to the Centre article number. So, if the Centre article is 112, the corresponding States article would be 201.

Mnemonics for Parts of the Constitution

Mnemonic 1: "U Can Fly Directly From the US to UP to Meet the Child of Shyam and Ram; Fruits Taste Sweet To Eat, So Only Eat Maggi As Tasty Snack." This mnemonic helps you remember all 25 parts of the Indian Constitution.

Mnemonic 2: "Read From the Start to End Please." This mnemonic helps you remember parts XI to XVI.

Remembering the Articles of the Constitution doesn't have to be daunting. By using these tricks and creating your own memory aids, you can quickly and effectively commit the key elements to memory.

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How to remember the Articles of the US Constitution

There are several methods to help you remember the Articles of the US Constitution. One is to create a statement that uses the first letter of each word to represent a corresponding word or concept in the constitution. For example, the statement "President Needs Fund for Removal of Present Vice-President & Judges in the USA" can be used to remember the following:

  • President - President of India
  • Fund - Fundamental Rights
  • Removal - Impeachment of the President, Removal of Supreme Court & High Court Judges
  • Present - Preamble
  • Vice-president - Post of Vice-president
  • Judges - Independence of judiciary, Judicial review

Alternatively, you could use a mnemonic to help you remember. For example, "Lazy Elephants Jump Slowly And Sit Regularly" can be used to remember the following:

  • L = Legislative
  • E = Executive
  • J = Judicial
  • S = States
  • A = Amendment process
  • S = Supremacy of constitution
  • R = Ratification

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How to remember the Articles of the Canadian Constitution

Canada's constitution is a complex mix of statutes, orders, court decisions, and generally accepted practices known as constitutional conventions. It is not one document but a collection of various documents and provisions that are constitutionally entrenched and take precedence over all other laws.

The Canadian constitution includes core written documents such as the Constitution Act, 1982, which includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter sets out the rights and freedoms that Canadians believe are necessary in a free and democratic society. It also reaffirms the existing rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The Constitution Act, 1982, also includes the British North America Act, 1867, which recognises Canada as a constitutional monarchy and federal state, and outlines the legal foundations of Canadian federalism.

The Canadian constitution also includes the fundamental principles of federalism, democracy, constitutionalism, the rule of law, and respect for minorities. It defines the powers of the executive branches of government and of the legislatures at both the federal and provincial levels.

To remember the features of the Canadian Constitution, you can use the following mnemonic:

  • Parliamentary government
  • Rule of law
  • Legislative procedure
  • Bicameralism
  • Single citizenship
  • Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

This mnemonic provides a basic framework for understanding the key features of the Canadian Constitution. However, it is important to note that the Canadian Constitution is a complex and evolving document, and there may be additional components or amendments that are not captured in this mnemonic.

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