How can I reduce the number of words I have to look up?
Well, here's one spelling trick: Studies show that people tend to continually misspell a relatively small number of words – between 25 and 50 – in their day-to-day writing. John Gardner, best-selling author, developed a solution that worked for him. Gardner's technique:
When you look up a word, or you or someone finds an error and corrects the word's spelling, make a mark in your dictionary next to that word.
When you make three marks next to that word, write it on a small slip of paper. Keep that slip in your wallet or purse.
Whenever you proofread, bring out the list and put it next to what you're editing. This "mini-dictionary" will act as a screen for about 80 percent of your recurring spelling errors.
