Word study: signature to symbol

1 · Learn

Practise a small number of words over several days. First explain the meaning, then inspect the spelling. Look for a familiar root, a changed ending or letters that are hard to hear. Cover the model, write from memory and check. Use the word in your own writing so it is more than a memorised list.

signature: a person's name written in their own way to identify them. Signature keeps sign before ature; g is pronounced here although it is silent in sign. Read: 'The fictional letter ended with an invented signature.'

sincere: genuine rather than pretended. Sincere has c before ere and keeps final e. Read: 'The character offered a sincere apology and changed her behaviour.'

sincerely: genuinely or honestly. Keep sincere, including its final e, and add ly. Read: 'He sincerely thanked the volunteers for their help.'

soldier: a member of an army. Soldier has d before ier; keep the complete spelling even when speaking quickly. Read: 'The historical novel followed a soldier returning home.'

stomach: the digestive organ between the food pipe and small intestine. Stomach ends ach; the ch here has a k sound. Read: 'The diagram labelled the stomach below the food pipe.'

sufficient: enough for a particular purpose. Sufficient has double f and ends icient. Read: 'The evidence was not sufficient to support such a broad claim.'

suggest: to put forward an idea. Suggest has double g and ends est. Read: 'I suggest checking the measurements before changing the design.'

symbol: a mark representing something else. Symbol has y for its first vowel sound; distinguish it from cymbal, an instrument. Read: 'The symbol represented a wheelchair-accessible entrance.'

2 · Worked example

To learn signature, I connect its meaning, a person's name written in their own way to identify them, with this spelling detail: Signature keeps sign before ature; g is pronounced here although it is silent in sign. I write it from memory, compare it and identify exactly which letters need attention. I then use it in a new sentence and check whether the meaning fits.

3 · Your turn

Without looking, write the studied word meaning 'genuine rather than pretended'. Check it against the model. Write your own sentence using sincere and explain the spelling feature you needed to remember.

4 · Apply your learning

Choose two words for a personal practice list. Ask a partner or adult to dictate one supplied sentence after you have discussed its meaning. Proofread the result, then try a new sentence of your own. Revisit the words after a delay and note whether you can use them accurately without the model.