THE READING / WRITING CONNECTION:

AN ONLINE READING AND WRITING LAB

Spelling

        The basic foundation to reading and writing is spelling.  Learning to spell words correctly requires focus, practice, and the aid of a dictionary.  Also, the dictionary is a valuable tool in determining the proper  way to use  the word.

    Often, the question  arises, "how can I find the word in the dictionary if  I don't know how to spell it?"  Usually, the first suggestion is to "sound it out."  That can be a difficult task if one has no familiarity with the word.  Since some words sound alike, but are spelled differently, trying to sound it out can be tricky  as  with be-bee, see-sea, two-to-too, new-knew.    As noticed, the word "knew" presents another concern.  How to deal  with words beginning with silent first letters.

    One suggestion would be to obtain resource references books such as English, grammar, writing textbooks and handbooks on writing.  Using these books will help to develop familiarity with words not commonly used or which have certain little idiosyncrasies.

    Here are a few "memory devices" taken from New Concise Handbook: Second Edition by Hans P. Guth on page 331.  The chapter is appropriately titled "Spelling Help."

        It's it in definite.  (We definitely need a definitive definition.)
        E first after c.  (The receptionist received the receipts for the day's receipts.)
        Look for the Eve in believe.  (The beliefs  were believable to the true believer.

 Be advised that memorization is a fundamental approach to spelling.   The author of the abovementioned text recommends the use of memory devices and to fix the word firmly in your mind.  Read "Spelling Essentials: Minimum Proficiencies in Guth's text.  Just to see how this approach works, try the practice on Top Sixty.


This page and connecting pages were prepared by Barbara Jean Johnson.