English spelling rules are complex, with many
exceptions.
If you find spelling to be a particular
challenge, here are strategies to
follow:
As a foundation:
-
Practice your spelling
-
Keep a "spelling
notebook" and list words you commonly misspell or have trouble with
-
Keep a list of commonly
misspelled English words, or words that may be spelled correctly, but
misused (e.g. who's * whose)
-
Keep a list of rules for
spelling
This book can also help you build your vocabulary
As regards important
documents you send, or turn in to others:
-
Spell check the
document if it is electronic
Note: Some e-mail software (i.e. MS Outlook) can be set to
automatically check spelling and grammar before you can send
-
Re-read the printed
document carefully for errors:
Pay attention to words you commonly misspell or that are spelled correctly
but misused
Note these words in your spelling notebook
-
Have someone you trust
and respect review the document.
This is often difficult for us since often we get comments regarding text
as well as spelling. But that is a plus, since we don't have
to change the text, but rather appreciate the suggestions and go on...
-
If you have a Center
for Writing Assistance,
take advantage of it
Using Dictionaries: a dictionary contains
more than the spelling of a word!
It also contains the spelling of its derivatives: plural forms and
participles. On line resources include
Dictionary.com
Dictionary, thesaurus, and access to foreign dictionaries
Dictionary.net
A straightforward presentation of definitions and synonyms from a variety
of resources
Merriam-Webster OnLine
Dictionary, thesaurus, look up feature for bad spellers, word of the day,
word games, and access to vocabulary in 230 languages
Since English is so exceptional in its spellings, any
dictionary assists you in finding exceptions to the rules of spelling.
Alternative spellings, especially
British vs.
American, should also be noted.
Spell checkers
in word processing:
-
Spell check each and every word-processed document as a
habit
-
Proof-read each document after spell-checking!
A spell checker will only find words incorrectly spelled. It will not find
words correctly spelled but misused.
Common challenges:
from and
form: a common
typing inversion;
of,
or: another case of mistaken keyboarding;
to,
too, two; there, their;
whether, weather: common confusion of usage;
foreign, physical:
When is an "f" really a "ph"?
Remembering a "spelling":
- Check a dictionary
for the correct pronunciation of the word. This will help you remember
how to spell the word
- Check for the meaning and history of the word.
This provides additional information
- Practice spelling the word to yourself before you close the
dictionary. Write it down or visualize it in your mind's eye.
Check the spelling in the dictionary again to ensure that you have learned
to spell the word correctly;
- Learn basic spelling rules (see below)
Adapted from "Steps to Becoming a Good Speller" in
Basic English
Revisited by Patrick Sebranek and Verne Meyer.
See also:
- A vocabulary exercise
(Study Guides)
-
Open Directory Project resources in spelling
-
Spelling rules and exercises,
Writing Center, University of Ottawa
(Canadian spelling)
- Burden, Peter, WWlib -
Notes on American
English, University of Wolverhampton November 17, 2000
- Jones, Susan,
Spelling
differences between American and British English, , Georgia State
University, November 17, 2000
-
100 words that all high school graduates — and their
parents — should know
by Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries
- Sebranek, Patrick.; Meyer, Verne. Basic English
revisited : a student handbook. [Lexington, Mass.] : Write Source,
1994
Thanks also to spelling rules of
I.Y.
Hashimoto Whitman College
Website overview: Since 1996 the
Study Guides and Strategies web site
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