Mnemonic Devices
Mnemonic devices can be used to identify and remember the steps in a process. The
following are mnemonics for reading, writing, math and study skills.
READING DECODING
DISSECT
D = Discover the context
I = Isolate the Prefix
S = Separate the Suffix
S = Say the Stem
E = Examine the Stem using rules of 2’s and 3’s: If a stem or part of the stem begins
with a vowel, divide off the first two letters; if it begins with a consonant, divide off
the first three letters.
C = Check with someone
T = Try the Dictionary
READING COMPREHENSION
CLUER
C = Clarify stated facts
L = Locate main ideas and important details
U = Uncover signal words indicating idea structure
E = Examine visual aids
R = Rephrase on own
EVOKER
E = Explore content
V = Vocabulary
O = Oral Reading
K = Key ideas
E = Evaluation of understanding
R = Recapitulation
FIST
F = First sentence in paragraph is read
I = Indicate a question based on information in sentence
S = Search for answer
T = Tie answer to question with a paraphrase
HHH
H = Is an answer to the question Here? (Explicit statement)
H = Is an answer to the question Hidden? (Implicit)
H = Is an answer to the question in my Head? (Inference)
I Q WHO RAP
I = Illustrations inspected and interpreted
Q = Questions at end read
W = Words in italics noted and understood
H = Headings read and formed into questions
O = Other clues examined
R= Read
A = Answer questions
P = Paraphrase
KWL PLUS
K = What I Know
W = What I Want to learn
L = What I Learned
Plus = Map what was learned and summarize in writing
PANORAMA
P = Purpose for reading
A = Adapt reading rate
N = Need to pose questions
O = Overview
R = Read and relate
A = Annotate
M = Memorize
A = Assess understanding and remembering
PRST
P = Preview
R = Read
S = Summarize
T = Test
RAP
R = Read
A = Ask what were main idea and two details
P = Put main idea and details in own words
REAP
R = Read
E = Encode (paraphrase)
A = Annotate (write summary)
P = Ponder
RIDER
R = Read
I = Image (make a picture)
D = Describe
E = Evaluate (check to make sure image is complete & accurate)
R = Repeat (with next sentence/paragraph)
SQ3R
S = Survey
Q = Question
3R’s = Read, Recite, Review
WRITING
COPS
C = Capitalizaiton
O = Organization and Overall appearance
P = Punctuation
S = Spelling
DEFENDS
D = Decide on position
E = Examine reasons for position
F = Form list of points that explain each reason
E = Expose position in the first sentence
N = Note each reason and supporting points
D = Drive home position in the last sentence
S = SEARCH for errors and correct
POWER
P = Plan: audience, Purpose, Background
O = Organize: categorize & order ideas
W = Write
E = Extend
R = Revise and Rewrite
SEARCH
S = See if it makes sense
E = Eject incomplete sentences and unrelated information
A = Ask if it’s convincing or what you mean
R = Review for COPS
C = Copy over neatly
H = Have a last look
TOWER
T = Think up topic and ideas
O = Organize ideas
W = Write a draft
E = Elaborate, Evaluate, and Edit
R = Rewrite and Reread
WRITER
W = Write on every other line
R = Read paper for meaning
I = Inspect using COPS
T = Take your paper to someone else to look over
E = Execute a final copy
R = Reread a final time
MATHEMATICS
SIR RIGHT
S = Start by reading problem
I = Identify all numbers written as digits and words
R = Reread problem and draw a picture or diagram
R= Reread problem again to find out question
I = Inquire, “What do I have to do to answer the question?”
G = Guess-timate and Give problem smaller numbers if puzzled
H = Have a go at computing an answer
T = Take a check back to see if answer makes sense
SQRQCQ
S = Survey the problem
Q = Question what’s asked
R = Reread the problem
Q = Question what information is needed and what operations
C= Compute
Q = Question does my answer make sense
