how to learn ritual – recap – The Square Magazine

Now we are back in the Lodge room once again, maybe it is time to review how we learn and deliver ritual and look at different ways of improving that process.

Getting back into a learning routine after a long period is a challenge for both the seasoned and new members alike.

The Square has published a wide range of articles during lock down which looked at this very topic – how to learn to learn and delivery our masonic ritual

Here are a summary of recent articles with links to further reading

Learning how to Learn

Making an advancement in Masonic Knowledge can become far easier when you ‘learn how to learn’.

A scientific approach to; how we learn is an interesting subject. Each of us may have different ways in which we engage with the process of learning.

For some time, it has been thought that we may have specific ‘learning styles’ that are individual to us.

For example, there is one premise that we are one of the following: ‘visual’, ‘audio’ or ‘kinesthetic’ learners. This learning style is known by the acronym VAK and was developed by Walter Burke Barbe and colleagues who proposed three learning modalities:

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5-Minute Ritualist

Struggling to learn your ritual? Become a 5-Minute Ritualist with the aid of a book of the same name.

The 5-Minute Ritualist is a scientifically founded, flexible, time and labour saving method for memorising Masonic Ritual using short, regular, highly focussed learning sessions. 5-MR offers a friendly, helping hand right across the Masonic age and experience spectrum – particularly so for inexperienced members of the Craft, aspiring WMs and Brethren living with declining memory challenges.

How to Learn a Speech

by Barry Cooper

Following on from our series of articles and tips on how the learn Masonic ritual, Barry Cooper directed our attention to his blog post ‘how to learn a speech’. With his kind permission we have reproduced it below.

Do you need to speak in public, and want (or have) to do it without notes?

This article outlines my personal approach; like everything else, it won’t work for everyone – but I hope it will work for you.

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How to improve your public speaking skill with 6 techniques

Simon Lancaster, a leading speech writer discusses 6 techniques that will help improve the effectiveness of a public speech

TED talk video

His 6 tips

1 Three Breathless Sentences
(why 3 ? 3 is the magic number in Rhetoric) – convincing compelling convincing

2 Three repetitive sentences

3 Three balancing Statements

4 Metaphor

5 Exaggeration

6 Rhyme

Public speaking

How can we use the 7 secrets of the greatest speakers in history

In this TED Talk video article presented by David JP Phillips, we take a brief look at some of the greatest orators of the 20th Century, and the techniques that makes a great story teller.

How can we as Freemasons incorporate some of these techniques into our Masonic and professional life?

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Public Speaking

An introduction to the art of public speaking – speak with confidence.

Whether you are reciting ritual in a Masonic meeting or giving a toast at the festive board, at some point you will have to speak in public.

Public speaking is a skill you can learn, and Freemasonry offers the opportunity to perfect and practice this skill. By becoming proficient you will enjoy it and start to understand how important it is to inform and persuade people in your private and professional life too.

A comprehensive article concluding with a TED talk by Caroline Goyder

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Recent Articles: skill series

What you see praiseworthy in others

"What you see praiseworthy in others, carefully imitate, and what in them may appear defective, you will in yourself amend". This passage of Masonic ritual (Taylors Working, Address to the w
Wardens) is advice on how to improve oneself by observing others.

How to Learn Ritual with a Learning Disorder

So what do you do when faced with that little blue book? Most Masons when first looking at the ritual book can understandably be fazed – the tiny print, the missing words, the questions and answers! Learning ritual can be a challenging task for anyone, especially individuals with learning disorders, but it is not impossible. Here are some tips to help make the process easier.

The Mind Palace

A "mind palace", also known as a "memory palace", is a technique for memorizing and recalling information. How would your life change if you could remember anything and everything? Discover the 'Mind Palace' and all will be revealed.

Leadership and Freemasonry

What is leadership and who does freemasonry help develop those skills needed to be a better leader

Property and Plunder

A story of the 'Ruffians' – those individuals whose paths cross ours, who feel entitled to seize and consume the property of others that they have not earned. A lesson to build character to be a better citizen of the world.

how to learn ritual - Recap

Now we are back in the Lodge room once again, maybe it is time to review how we learn and deliver ritual and look at different ways of improving that process.