A wire retaining assembly for use with an electrical device such as a switch or receptacle. The assembly comprises an anchoring bore and a guide slot formed in a wall adjacent each terminal screw to retain the exposed wire on an electrical conductor. By initially locating the end of the exposed wire in the anchoring bore, then bending the wire around the screw shank and locating the other end of the wire in the guide slot, electrical connection to the device is more quickly and securely accomplished. The bore and slot are substantially parallel and have portions with substantially coplanar bottom surfaces so that the bent wire lies in substantially a single plane.