Spelling tips

The Australian preferential voting system ensures the chosen candidate reflects the choice of most voters. In this system, voters rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots, instead of picking just one (Liu, 2024). For example¹Screen reader users, this is a linking word., if no candidate gets more than half of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the least votes is removed. Consequently¹Screen reader users, this is a linking word., their votes are given to the next preferred candidate on those ballots. Therefore¹Screen reader users, this is a linking word., this process helps to ensure that the winning candidate has wider support among voters.

One factor within the team that seems to be important is the notion of team cohesiveness. Significantly¹Screen reader users, this is a linking word., team cohesiveness enables a diverse group of individuals to work towards common goals. Maxwell (2011, p.107) argues that highly cohesive teams ‘have clear goals and successful outcomes’. For example¹Screen reader users, this is a linking word., cohesive teams are more likely to work well together, have enthusiasm for their work (Brown 2009) and so achieve a high rate of success (Zheng & Hui 2008). Therefore¹Screen reader users, this is a linking word., team cohesiveness has been shown to enhance team effectiveness.

There are many ways people can improve their spelling. However, knowing a few simple spelling rules can help to improve your spelling.

Accurate spelling helps effective communication. To develop a professional level of communication, both for your studies and professional life after graduation, it is important to address spelling at the proofreading stage of assignment writing.

Incorrect spelling can distract the reader from the point you are trying to make. With spell-check facilities on your computer and easy access to on-line dictionaries, you can take steps to eliminate spelling errors. There are also strategies you can use to improve your spelling more generally.

Preferred spelling

Most lecturers expect that you will use standard Australian English spelling. As you research widely, you are likely to come across other forms of spelling, including American English spelling. While some lecturers accept American spelling, others require standard Australian spelling. Both these group agree, however, that it is important to be consistent with your spelling throughout your assignment. To assist with this, set the language option on your computer to English (Australian).

The difference between standard Australian and American spellings is minimal and usually does not affect the reader’s ability to understand what you have written. N.B. Some organisation names use the American style, e.g. World Health Organization.

Dictionaries

To improve your spelling and expand your academic vocabulary, you should access the largest and best dictionaries you can; a pocket dictionary may be cheaper and easy to carry around but is unlike to have the range of words you need. Choose a dictionary that suits your needs.

Subject specific dictionary: contains specialised words related to the area you’re studying that are not available in a standard dictionary.
Standard English dictionary: RMIT prefers the Macquarie Dictionary.
English learner’s dictionary: If English is not your first language, it can be worth investing in a specialised learner’s dictionary.
Dictionaries are also available in the reference section of the library and many can also be accessed for free online, with some versions also providing audio to help with pronouncing specialist terminology.

Strategies

• It may help to see the word rather than just to spell it aloud.
• Develop a mental picture of the word.
• Use the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check method.
• Think of any spelling rules that apply. Learn other words that use the same rule.
• Look for patterns or word groups (haematology, haemoglobin, haemostasis).
• Link the word to similar words you know [practise (verb), practice (noun): is (verb), ice (noun)].
• Keep track. Make a list of words that are causing you problems, for easy reference.

Look, think, cover, write, check

Look carefully at the word, its shape and parts.

Think about :

• the parts of the words which might cause problems, such as silent letters and vowels that are not pronounced as you would expect
• any spelling rules.

Cover the word and see it in your mind's eye.

Write the word down without looking back.

Check to see if you are correct. Repeat.

Break words into syllables

• In-ter-net
• be-cause
• tech-nol-o-gy

then look for words with the:

• same chunks
• same spelling of the chunks.

Rules

Here are some helpful rules to apply to your spelling.