LESSON 2.7 Spelling

LESSON 2.7
Spelling

Grades 7 - Adult

Spelling has almost nothing to do with intelligence. It has to do with a skill that everyone who takes pride in their work has. Writer, carpenter, mechanic, accountant, surgeon … it doesn’t matter. Good spelling has to do with making sure a job is as completely as possible before turning it over to the teacher, customer, or patient.

Task 2.7.1 – Individual

Use your software to check the spelling.  If you are using Microsoft Word, then go to Home > Review > Editor > Spelling.

Task 2.7.2 – Individual

Look for words the computer may have overlooked because they have two spellings. Those include—

  1. Your           Use you are if you mean you’re.
  2. Its               Spell this word as it is. Its has no apostrophe.
  3. Their          Did you mean they’re? Spell it they are.  Did you mean there?
  4. Accept       Accept means to take.  She accepted the gift. Except means but. Everyone except Jim must write a paper.
  5. Affect        Affect is usually a verb: They affect. Effect is usually a noun: The effect.
  6. Aloud        This means “sound you can hear.” Allowed means “okay to do.”
  7. Lead          A mineral or means “to lead.”  Past tense of “to lead” is led.

Check all names. People spell their names many ways. Be courteous. Look them up

Generalized Words

Make generalized words specific. For example:

Unclear:        She is nice. 
To clarify:     Discuss 1-2 examples of a time she acted that way.

Unclear:        His paintings are beautiful.
To clarify:     Discuss 1-2 examples of his work. 

It/They

Another type of generalized word is it/they.

Unclear:      There is a rise in crime in our city. They need to do something about it.
Clear:          There is a rise in crime in our city. The mayor needs to something about it.

You

Avoid you unless—

  • You are giving instructions.
  • You want readers to pretend or imagine an entire scene, with themselves in it.

Task 2.7.3 – Individual

Use your software to check the unclear words.  If you are using Microsoft Word, then go to Home > Review > Editor > Clarity.

Task 2.7.4 – Individual

  1. Use the Control F function on your computer.
  2. Type an Put a space after it. The space will keep your computer from finding every word with an it in it. Check that the it is clear. Repeat the process for they, them, and you.
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