Word study: necessary to persuade

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.

necessary: needed or required. Necessary has one c and double s. Read: 'A clear label was necessary to distinguish the samples.'

neighbour: someone living nearby. This British spelling contains eigh and ends our. Read: 'Their neighbour helped read the old handwritten note.'

nuisance: something or someone causing annoyance or inconvenience. Nuisance begins nui and ends ance. Read: 'The repeated tapping was a nuisance during the recording.'

occupy: to take up or use a place. Occupy has double c and ends py. Read: 'The display will occupy the corner beside the window.'

occur: to happen. Occur has double c but one final r; compare forms such as occurred separately. Read: 'A copying error can occur if a digit is missed.'

opportunity: a suitable chance to do something. Opportunity has double p and ends unity. Read: 'The discussion gave everyone an opportunity to contribute.'

parliament: a country's law-making assembly. Parliament keeps ia after parl and ends ment. Read: 'The information book explained how parliament debates proposed laws.'

persuade: to give reasons that help someone agree or act. Persuade contains sua and ends de. Read: 'The letter tried to persuade the reader with reasons, not invented facts.'

2 · Worked example

To learn necessary, I connect its meaning, needed or required, with this spelling detail: Necessary has one c and double s. 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 'someone living nearby'. Check it against the model. Write your own sentence using neighbour 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.