Use your word processor's spell checker.

When the document is in a computer file, begin proofreading by having the word processor perform a spell check on the text:

    1. Adjust the settings on your spell checker so it checks all text, including capitalized words.
    2. When the spell checker flags an unusual word that is probably spelled correctly but is not in the word processor's dictionary, look up the word in your dictionary to make sure the word is spelled as the author intended and that it is correct. Then add the word to your word processor's personal dictionary.

 

Look for spelling errors as you proofread the document.

Spell checkers will not identify a single spelling error in this text:

The too man traveled form Sane Francisco two Lost Angeles.

As you proofread for other errors, look for small words that may be spelled incorrectly but are words the spell checker will accept as being correct. Especially check small words in titles, headings, and headers.

Look for spelling errors in proper names that the spell checker may not have in its dictionary.

As you read the text, look for misspellings of people's names and other proper nouns. Maintain a list of the correct spellings of people's names and check it every time you use an unusual name in the text.

 

Learn the spellings of the 25 most commonly misspelled words.

Learn how to spell the 25 most commonly misspelled words. Memorize the spellings of the following words.

accommodate
acknowledgment
argument
commitment
consensus
deductible
dependent
embarrass
existence
foreword
harass
inadvertent
indispensable
judgment
liaison
license
occasion
occurrence
perseverance
prerogative
privilege
proceed
separate
supersede
withhold