Spelling mistakes can cost us dearly. How to make sure to do as little as possible? Here are three simple tips to improve your mastery of this key skill in everyday life.
How to limit spelling mistakes, which can penalize us in many situations of daily life? If avoiding typos and improving your spelling is important to you, there are some simple tips you can easily implement and practice regularly. Here are three very effective ones, without having to go through a spell checker, the goal being to improve you!
Tip n°1: read your texts upside down, then aloud
This is a technique used by proofreaders: by reading your writing starting at the end, you isolate each sentence: the brain cannot anticipate the next one and does not “slip” over the text. This cognitive effort, which is a bit confusing at first, can turn out to be very effective. Then, reread your text aloud: in this way, you will identify the sentences that are too heavy, the rhythms that are too heavy and you will rewrite everything in a more fluid and simpler way.
Tip #2: Spend time reading
At first, try to give yourself 30 minutes of reading a day: novels, newspapers, essays. You can then extend this time to benefit even more from the positive effects of this virtuous habit. Reading is a very good way to memorize the spelling of words. Indeed, many terms and turns of phrase are then stored in our visual memory. We are then more likely to reuse them without making mistakes.
Tip #3: Get back to writing on paper and do dictation
When you write on a computer, the majority of mistakes pass through the automatic corrector. However, by resuming the habit of writing by hand on paper, we regain power over our way of writing. To practice good spelling, get yourself a notebook, in which you will write on all types of subjects. Some examples: your day, a reflection, an anecdote…
Even if it doesn’t necessarily bring back very good memories of school, dictation is certainly one of the most effective ways to improve your spelling and syntax. A very complete method, it also promotes logical thinking and enriches vocabulary. As a bonus, it will allow you to boost your concentration.