A Guide to Correct Spelling

As many of you already know, I am not the best speller there is. Despite this great shortcoming of mine, I still agree that knowing how to spell properly is a skill we all should have. Here are a few tips on correct spelling.

1. Always use a spell checker, if possible

I don't care how well you think you can spell or how many spelling bees you won in elementary school; you should still use some sort of spell checker for all your important documents. The unfortunate thing is that there are times when you can't get your hands on either a dictionary or a spell checker. What on earth do you do then?

2. Write down every version

Imagine you're writing something and you can't recall how a certain word is spelled. What do you do? I would say: write down all the different spellings that you think could be correct. This should give you a list of maybe two to four versions of the word. Now go through them one by one, reciting each word as you go.

It's important that you read every word out loud, since this will help you connect the sound of the word with the way it is spelled. Often, the correct version will simply look right.

3. Dig your well before you get thirsty

Remember that by reading and writing a lot, you get better at everything related to spelling and grammar. That's why I think it's a shame that we skim so much when reading newspapers or articles online. Why the hurry? Take the time to read properly and you might learn a few new words as well.

For a list of the words people get wrong most often, see 100 spelling errors that make you look dumb.