Chapter Thirty-Five Spelling

4 Steps to Spelling Improvement 1. Use the dictionary and other spelling aids 2. Keep a personal spelling list 3. Master commonly confused words 4. Understand basic spelling rules and plural formation

Using the Dictionary The best way to master the dictionary is to use it frequently. Get into the habit of opening the dictionary and looking up unfamiliar words while you read and write.

Using Electronic Aids Effectively The spell-checker on your computer is a tremendous tool to help you identify and correct spelling errors. Learn to use it! If you don’t write with a computer, think about purchasing a hand-held electronic spell-checker. It too can save you time and effort in perfecting your spelling.

Keep a Personal Spelling List Keep a list of words you misspell on the back of a frequently used notebook and study the words regularly. Write down any hint that will help you remember the spelling of a word. Break a long word up into syllables. Study a word by looking at it, saying it, and spelling it. Review and self-test.

Master Commonly Confused Words Words that sound alike but have different meanings give all writers trouble. See the chapter in your text on COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS for a list of such tricky word pairs.

Learn Key Rules for Spelling and Forming Plurals While no English spelling rule is true ALL THE TIME, you can greatly improve your spelling by learning some simple rules that function for most words. This is also true of the rules for forming plurals. A few moments spent mastering these rules will help you avoid a vast number of the most common spelling mistakes.