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Spelling
Dictionaries and
Spellcheckers
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Dictionaries and spellcheckers
A dictionary is an essential tool for a writer.
Do you know how do you use one properly?
Do you rely on spellcheckers to solve
your spelling problems?
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Activity
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Activity
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Guide words
Dictionaries usually have guide words at the top of each
page, indicating the first and last words on the page.
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Drag and drop
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Dictionary definitions
A dictionary will tell you how to spell a word, but it can
tell you far more than this. Here are some types of
information that you will find in a good dictionary.
origin
meaning
pronunciation
uses
It may also tell us word type, whether it is slang, different
meanings, etc. The bigger the dictionary, the more
information you can expect to find.
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Dictionary definitions
Look at how the information is set out in this definition.
main
definition
noun
colloquial
– which
means
informal
use
circus n. Travelling show with
clowns, performing animals, etc.;
(colloq.) a disturbance; [L. circus ring]
further definition
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origin
(L. stands
for Latin)
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Dictionary definitions
Use a dictionary to see how much you can find out about
these words, then report back to the class.
buccaneer
___________________________________
asteroid
___________________________________
poppy
___________________________________
sinister
___________________________________
gargoyle
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Dictionary practice
From a dictionary you will find out that sometimes
words perform more than one function.
E.g. paint can be both a noun and a verb
Use your dictionary to find out the functions of these
words:
hammer –
mirror –
county –
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Word origins
Using a dictionary, find out which languages these words
come from.
bungalow
________________
potato
________________
carousel
________________
volcano
________________
chocolate
________________
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Spellcheckers
Electronic spellcheckers can be very useful items. You
might have access to a handheld one, and there will
probably be one as part of a word-processing program on
your computer
They often give various alternatives and you can choose
the correct word.
Make sure you use it wisely, however. A computer
spellchecker may miss some of your errors – particularly
homophones and incorrect apostrophe use.
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Spellcheckers
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Spellcheckers
Another possible problem with a computer
spellchecker is that it might use American English.
In this case, you will have to look out for words which
are spelt differently in American English.
For example: color
favorite
theater
What should these be in British English?
colour
favourite
theatre
Can you find any other examples of American English words?
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