Description
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?
Unformatted Attachment Preview
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.
© 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
1. 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 word’s spelling. Skimming quickly, you may
overlook misspelled words.
2. 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.
3. Use a dictionary. Many professional writers rely on the dictionary—either
in print or online.
4. Use your computer’s 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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
smaller—but equally important—details 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.
•
Today’s 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 teacher’s 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:
1. Copy each word a few times and underline the problem area.
2. 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
doesn’t
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 today’s 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 else’s 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.
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
