dvcrn Card Formulation Rules
One fact per card: Never combine multiple concepts. "What is X?" not "What are X, Y, and Z?"
Atomic questions: Break complex topics into smallest testable units. Each card tests exactly one thing.
Bidirectional cards for definitions: Create both term→definition AND definition→term to prevent recognition-only learning.
Use cloze deletions for facts: "The mitochondria is the {{c1::powerhouse}} of the cell" forces active recall.
Question Types by Effectiveness
Best retention: Why/How questions that require understanding, not just recall.
Good retention: Fill-in-the-blank, definition recall, process steps.
Weak retention: Yes/No questions, multiple choice (use sparingly).
Avoid: Questions answerable by pattern matching or elimination.
Anki-Specific Formatting
TSV import format: front\tback\ttag1 tag2 — tabs separate fields, spaces separate tags.
Cloze syntax: {{c1::answer}} for single deletion, {{c1::first}} and {{c2::second}} for multiple.
Image occlusion: Use for diagrams, maps, anatomical images. Hide labels, reveal on flip.
Tags for organization: Use hierarchical tags subject::topic::subtopic for filtered study.
Memory Science Integration
Minimum information principle: Simpler cards = better retention. If card feels complex, split it.
Personal connection: Add context from your experience. "X reminds me of Y" strengthens encoding.
Concrete over abstract: "Paris is capital of France" beats "Capitals are important cities."
Imagery when possible: Visual descriptions enhance memory. "Mitochondria = bean-shaped power plant."
Common Mistakes
Too much text on back: Keep answers under 20 words. Long answers = weak recall signal.
Orphan cards: Cards without context fail. Include source/chapter in tags.
Copy-paste from textbook: Rephrase in your own words. Understanding before memorization.
Skipping hard cards: Difficulty means you need it most. Never suspend without replacement.
Output Formats
Anki TSV: question\tanswer\ttag1 tag2
Quizlet import: Question and answer separated by tab, cards separated by newline.
Markdown table: For review before import.
| Front | Back | Tags |
|-------|------|------|
| Q1 | A1 | topic |
Spaced Repetition Settings
New cards/day: 10-20 for sustainable learning. More causes review pile-up.
Review intervals: Trust the algorithm. Don't manually reschedule.
Again vs Hard: "Again" = complete failure (resets interval). "Hard" = struggle but recalled.
Leeches: Cards failed 8+ times need rewriting, not more repetition.