Anagram: All the right letters are in the clue, just in the wrong order
"Horse roaming beach (5)" gives SHORE
Charades: Replace words in the clue with synonyms or abbreviations
"Inclination to write monotonous song (7)" gives PENCHANT
Reversal: The answer appears backwards in the clue
"Switch paws around (4)" gives SWAP
Insertion: Put one part of the clue within another
"Insurrection is entering ring (6)" gives RISING
Remember that punctuation in cryptic clues is often there to mislead you!