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2. Analyze words using “The 7 Steps.”
- Look at the word and say it aloud. (imperfection)
- Write the word and say it slowly—syllable by syllable. (im/per/fec/tion)
- Study the word for “meaning units,” which would include prefixes, suffixes, base words, and roots: (Im means not, perfect is the base word, and tion means state of.)
- Find the base word or word root and say it slowly. (per/fect)
- Listen for the number of sounds you hear in each syllable versus the number of letters. If the numbers are different, figure out why. Double consonants? Silent letters?
- Say the word again, syllable by syllable, and write it without looking at it. (imperfection)
- Check to make sure you have spelled the word correctly.
Tip Using “The 7 Steps” can obviously help you with your spelling, but it can also help you with the pronunciation and meaning of a word as well. That makes it well worth using.
3. Use word families.