Importance of Spelling

Proper Spelling Listen Hide Assignment Information TurnitinTM TurnitinTM enabledThis assignment will be submitted to TurnitinTM. Instructions The Learning Activity titled Importance of Spelling provides tips to improve spelling skills. List one tip from the reading that you currently practice or would like to start practicing in your professional or academic writing. Next, share a tip not mentioned in the reading that you already employ when writing. Now, provide an example of a time you read something at work (e.g., email, company newsletter), a news article, a scholarly article, or another form of professional writing that contained spelling errors. Describe your reaction to the communication. Do you think that poor spelling can hinder a person’s credibility in the workplace? Why or why not? Importance of Spelling Introduction Did you know that learning to spell is not a natural phenomenon? In fact, it takes years of practice to be a proficient speller. This is why in cultures with alphabetic writing, literacy acquisition at an early age is stressed” (Kemmer, The History of English). Yet, even if spelling is not one of your strengths, you can improve your spelling by learning a few common spelling rules. Then you can practice correctly spelling words that trip you up. Read this section on spelling to learn how easy it is to improve your spelling. A piece of paper tacked to a corkboard that reads Allways chek for speling erors Thinglass/iStock/Thinkstock Introduction to Spelling One essential aspect of good writing is accurate spelling. With computer spell checkers, spelling may seem simple, but these programs fail to catch every error. Spell checkers identify some errors, but writers still have to consider the flagged words and suggested replacements. Ultimately, writers are responsible for the errors that remain. For example, if the spell checker highlights a word that is misspelled and gives you a list of alternative words, you may choose a word that you never intended even though it is spelled correctly. This can change the meaning of your sentence. It can also confuse readers, making them lose interest. Computer spell checkers are useful editing tools, but they can never replace human knowledge of spelling rules, homonyms, and commonly misspelled words. Common Spelling Rules The best way to master new words is to understand the key spelling rules. Keep in mind, however, that some spelling rules carry exceptions. A spell checker may catch these exceptions, but knowing them yourself will prepare you to spell accurately on the first try. You may want to try memorizing each rule and its exception like you would memorize a rhyme or lyrics to a song. Write i before e except after c, or when pronounced ay like neighbor or weigh. achieve, niece, alien receive, deceive When words end in a consonant plus y, drop the y and add an i before adding another ending. happy + er = happier cry + ed = cried When words end in a vowel plus y, keep the y and add the ending. delay + ed = delayed Memorize the following exceptions to this rule: day, lay, say, pay = daily, laid, said, paid When adding an ending that begins with a vowel, such as -able, -ence, -ing, or -ity, drop the last e in a word. write + ing = writing pure + ity = purity When adding an ending that begins with a consonant, such as -less, -ment, or -ly, keep the last e in a word. hope + less = hopeless advertise + ment = advertisement For many words ending in a consonant and an o, add -s when using the plural form. photo + s = photos soprano + s = sopranos Add -es to words that end in s, ch, sh, and x. church + es = churches fax + es = faxes Eight Tips to Improve Spelling Skills Read the words in your assignment carefully, and avoid skimming over the page. Focusing on your written assignment word by word will help you pay close attention to each words spelling. Skimming quickly, you may overlook misspelled words. Use mnemonic devices to remember the correct spelling of words. Mnemonic devices, or memory techniques and learning aids, include inventive sayings or practices that help you remember. For example, the saying It is important to be a beautiful person inside and out may help you remember that beautiful begins with be a. The practice of pronouncing the word Wednesday Wed-nes-day may help you remember how to spell the word correctly. Use a dictionary. Many professional writers rely on the dictionaryeither in print or online. Use your computers spell checker. The spell checker will not solve all your spelling problems, but it is a useful tool. See the introduction to this section for cautions about spell checkers. Keep a list of your most frequently misspelled words. You will often misspell the same words again and again, but do not let this discourage you. All writers struggle with the spellings of certain words; they become aware of their spelling weaknesses and work to improve. Be aware of which words you commonly misspell, and you can add them to a list to learn to spell them correctly. Look over corrected papers for misspelled words. Add these words to your list and practice writing each word four to five times each. Writing teachers will especially notice which words you frequently misspell, and it will help you excel in your classes if they see your spelling improve. Test yourself with flashcards. Sometimes the old-fashioned methods are best and, for spelling, this tried and true technique has worked for many students. Flashcards do exist online as well. You can work alone, but it may be easier to work with a family member or friend. Review the common spelling rules explained in this section. Take the necessary time to master the material; you may return to these rules, as needed. TIP: Remember to focus on spelling during the editing and revising step of the writing process. Start with the big ideas, such as organizing your piece of writing and developing effective paragraphs, and then work your way down toward the smallerbut equally importantdetails like spelling and punctuation. Homonyms Homonyms are words that sound like one another but have different meanings. Commonly Misused Homonyms Principle, Principal Principle (noun). A fundamental concept that is accepted as true. The principle of human equality is an important foundation for all nations. Principal (noun). The original amount of debt on which interest is calculated. The payment plan allows me to pay back only the principal amount, not any compounded interest. Principal (noun). A person who is the main authority of a school. The principal held a conference for both parents and teachers. Where, Wear, Ware Where (adverb). The place in which something happens. Where is the restaurant? Wear (verb). To carry or have on the body. I will wear my hiking shoes when I go on a climb tomorrow morning. Ware (noun). Articles of merchandise or manufacture (usually, wares). When I return from shopping, I will show you my wares. Lead, Led Lead (noun). A type of metal used in pipes and batteries. The lead pipes in my homes are old and need to be replaced. Led (verb). The past tense of the verb lead. After the garden, she led the patrons through the museum. Which, Witch Which (pronoun). Replaces one out of a group. Which apartment is yours? Witch (noun). A person who practices sorcery or who has supernatural powers. She thinks she is a witch, but she does not seem to have any powers. Peace, Piece Peace (noun). A state of tranquility or quiet. For once, there was peace between the argumentative brothers. Piece (noun). A part of a whole. I would like a large piece of cake, thank you. Passed, Past Passed (verb). To go away or move. He passed the slower cars on the road using the left lane. Past (noun). Having existed or taken place in a period before the present. The argument happened in the past, so there is no use in dwelling on it. Lessen, Lesson Lessen (verb). To reduce in number, size, or degree. My dentist gave me medicine to lessen the pain of my aching tooth. Lesson (noun). A reading or exercise to be studied by a student. Todays lesson was about mortgage interest rates. Patience, Patients Patience (noun). The capacity of being patient (waiting for a period of time or enduring pains and trials calmly). The novice teachers patience with the unruly class was astounding. Patients (plural noun). Individuals under medical care. The patients were tired of eating the hospital food, and they could not wait for a home-cooked meal. Sees, Seas, Seize Sees (verb). To perceive with the eye. He sees a whale through his binoculars. Seas (plural noun). The plural of sea, a great body of salt water. The tidal fluctuation of the oceans and seas are influenced by the moon. Seize (verb). To possess or take by force. The king plans to seize all the peasants land. Threw, Through Threw (verb). The past tense of throw. She threw the football with perfect form. Through (preposition). A word that indicates movement. She walked through the door and out of his life. Commonly Misspelled Words Below is a list of commonly misspelled words. You probably use these words every day in either speaking or writing. Each word has a segment in bold type, which indicates the problem area of the word that is often spelled incorrectly. If you can, use this list as a guide before, during, and after you write. TIP: Use the following two tricks to help you master these troublesome words: Copy each word a few times and underline the problem area. Copy the words onto flash cards and have a friend test you. Table 4.1 Commonly Misspelled Words across disappoint integration particular separate address disapprove intelligent perform similar answer doesnt interest perhaps since argument eighth interfere personnel speech athlete embarrass jewelry possess strength beginning environment judgment possible success behavior exaggerate knowledge prefer surprise calendar familiar maintain prejudice taught career finally mathematics privilege temperature conscience government meant probably thorough crowded grammar necessary psychology thought definite height nervous pursue tired describe illegal occasion reference until desperate immediately Opinion rhythm weight different important Optimist ridiculous written Writing at Work In todays job market, writing e-mails has become a means by which many people find employment. E-mails to prospective employers require thoughtful word choice, accurate spelling, and perfect punctuation. Employers inboxes are inundated with countless e-mails daily. For example, if the subject line of an e-mail contains a spelling error, it will likely be overlooked and someone elses e-mail will take priority. The best thing to do after you proofread an e-mail to an employer and run the spell checker is to have an additional set of eyes go over it with you; one of your peers may be able to read the e-mail and give you suggestions for improvement. Most colleges and universities have writing centers, which may also be able to assist you. Key Takeaway Accurate, error-free spelling enhances your credibility with the reader. Mastering the rules of spelling may help you become a better speller. Knowing the commonly misused homonyms may prevent spelling errors. Studying the list of commonly misspelled words in this section, or studying a list of your own, is one way to improve your spelling skills. Note. Adapted from Spelling, by McLean, 2010, Writing for Success, Chapter 4, Section 2. Copyright 2010 Flat World Knowledge, Inc.