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Written by admin
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Sunday, 13 August 2006 |
 Weave Your Magic: Improve Spelling!
Many people out there, whether educated to high school, undergraduate or postgraduate level, have problems with spelling. Some of the most avid readers can recognise words on paper, but cannot replicate that when it comes to writing them. There are many reasons behind this. For example, a lack of concentration, learning difficulties such as dyslexia, writing words how they are pronounced and the newly-invented text language are all detrimental to the quality of an individual’s spelling. There are numerous ways to help improve spelling though so you can choose the best technique for you.
I am sure that, when you were a child, it was drummed into you that you must spell from memory. However, whilst memorizing words can help, it should not be relied on because memories are degraded somewhat if you do not access them regularly. By learning to spell this way, your abilities will reduce over time. You should not spell according to how a word is pronounced either because that can be deceptive. You can easily mistake sounds for other letters. For example, c is interchangeable with k in some words where sounds are concerned. Spelling phonetically with quick reminders branded in your memory is the best way to go. If you place associations on a word, then you are more likely to remember how to spell it and you can improve spelling.
To improve spelling, you must first learn how to distinguish incorrect spelling from correctly spelt words. In your mind, you may subconsciously fix a word, which means you may read it as if it were correct by visually changing misplaced letters. You will read it as correct even if it is not, especially if it reads how it sounds. Use a spell check on the computer to avoid this. There are also portable electronic calculators. Both will highlight a wrong word and offer alternatives. By concentrating on the alternatives given and getting in the habit of revising each corrected word, you will soon start to pick up the patterns of the letters to improve spelling.
A dictionary is also a useful aid to have whilst trying to improve spelling. Spell check may fail to recognise certain words if you have spelled them particularly poorly. With a dictionary, you can always look up what you want to say and use it as a reference guide to check other words too. Dictionaries also have definitions next to the actual word just in case you are not too sure if you even intend to use the correct word.
Always proofread saved documents before you actually do anything with them as well. It enables you to concentrate properly on what you have written. Whereas when you are writing, your full attention is placed on the content rather than the presentation. When you have finished writing, have a ten minute break before you check a document. This allows you to clear your mind and go back to the thankless task of checking with a refreshed body and mind. Never rush a check because you will miss mistakes rather than improve spelling.
There are many other ways to improve spelling, but the ones listed above are the most effective. Never ever panic, and always leave work you cannot concentrate on and go back to it later. Over time, your spelling will improve no end. |
