So, this probably won’t be enough to help you win the spelling bee, but it can save you from making those costly mistakes (you know, the ones in that email to your boss you were too busy to use spellcheck for, or the quick notes you scribble to someone sans consultation of our bestselling friend – the dictionary).
I’ll add to these as I get inspiration, so keep an eye out!
- Pronounce words correctly. Pay attention to the way you say things – seriously, it helps. I don’t have the scientific evidence for this, but trust me here – I won’t lead you astray
. Now, some words are pronounced differently from their written forms mainly due to word origin, etymology etc., but you can generally be led down the right path if you pronounce words correctly.
- Enunciation makes it happen. Yes, those annoying syllables that you thought you left behind in your googoo-gaga years are coming back to haunt you. Sound things out – especially big, long words – they’ll give you an idea of how they should be written.
- Read, Read, Read. I cannot emphasize this enough! Now, reading Facebook posts from your non-grammar sensitive friends may not carry a high yield in terms of improving your spelling abilities, but reading a novel surely can. The more you see words, the more you have a sense of how they are spelled. Remember, developing good spelling (and grammar) is a skill that will only be developed in time. There is no quick fix! But, as always, The Write Foot is here to help
- Learn the exceptions. There are many rules, but as many exceptions. Keep an eye out for them.
- Make associations. If you “bucketize” words you will be that much more likely to retain them. Don’t try to learn each word in the dictionary individually (noble, but overwhelming ambition) – instead, look for ways in which words are similar and group them together. Words that look alike, sound alike or have similar meanings should be placed in the same category in your memory. Learning by association will take you places!
- Use pictures and memory aids. Come up with your own unique ways to remember how to spell difficult words. You will be more likely to retain the things you come up with on your own (there are, however, some neat ones floating around that are pretty good. Look for me to post some here).
- Check the Commonly Misspelled Words section of TWF. Nuff said
