Spell
Check? Your Angel or Your Devil
Many times your Composition instructor will
ask you to use your spell check portion on your word processor. As
a comp instructor, I can tell you the spell check only goes so far.
Look at some of these examples from papers that I have received.
-
"My theory on life is, that too many people take life for granite;
we really don't appreciate what we have."
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"The purpose for Smith’s writings were to tell of his tails
and
adventure and what he encountered with the meeting of thenative Americans
and how these events happened out."
-
"The first Christians started out as Jews, and I would be willing to bet
they were all not rioting for Christ’s release at Paunches
Pilot."
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"Reading about these events affected me allot!"
These students were using their spell check
as they were asked to do, but the spell check only caused them more problems.
Why?
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Look carefully at the first two examples.
The spell check probably didn't even catch the two words that are highlighted
in red: granite and
tails. Why? Because granite
and tail are spelled correctly; the student has used the wrong form of
the word. This happens frequently. Lesson to be learned: You can't
trust the spell check to catch errors having to do with words that have
homonyms. You must also proofread. If you have problems knowing what
form of the word you need to use, then rely on a dictionary. Or ask
someone you know who is good in composition to proofread. Also, ask your
instructor or a tutor in the TLC for suggestions.
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Look at the second two examples, Paunches
Pilot and allot. What
happened here? Chances are the spell check highlighted words that
were spelled incorrectly, and the student took the first suggestion that
the program gave. You must look at the choices carefully when a spell
check program makes suggestions. If none of the choices seem correct
or if they confuse you, then once again you will need to consult your dictionary,
ask a trusted writer, or seek help from your instructor or in the TLC.
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Look at example # 3.
Proper names many times are not included in spell check programs.
You will need to check your sources for the correct spelling.
Some sites for you to seek help with spelling
and commonly misused words, take a look at these: