Mnemonic Weekly Tip 12-15-02

Mnemonic Weekly Tip # 14 December 15, 2002

The Problem

For many of us, individuals who think and learn differently, spelling can be a challenge. Mnemonic clues of various types provide us with ways to remember the spelling of words. We don’t need a mnemonic clue for all words, just those that are problematic. Whenever a clue for one word provides clues for other words, we feel that we have received a bonus. This is true for the mnemonic clue for the spelling of Wednesday. The spelling of two states and a metal are the bonus.

The Mnemonic

This week’s clue is a stack. A stack is a spelling technique that uses patterns to aid in the spelling of a word. The stack for Wednesday is as follows:

Wed

nes

day

This stack consists of three sets of three letters with three vowels down the middle.

The bonus for this stack revolves around the middle set of three letters: nes.

Ten Min mag

nes nes nes

see ota ium

By knowing that nes is the middle set of three letters for a day of the week, two states and a metal, enables the person to remember the spelling of all four words.