Why is proficient spelling important?
Proficient spelling is important for a number of reasons: • It is a courtesy to the reader and an aid to communication when words are spelled correctly. • Occasionally a misspelled word can actually change the meaning of a text and lead to serious miscommunication. • Misspellings are a distraction to the reader, drawing attention away from the meaning, and possibly lowering the credibility of the writer. • To some, a poorly spelled message implies a careless attitude and careless thinking. Good spelling ability also aids the writer because a fluent speller can concentrate more fully on the message she or he wants to convey, spending less mental attention on the details of words because they can be produced easily and automatically. Recent studies have also shown that there is a strong relationship between spelling ability and reading, both in isolation on word lists and in text reading (Morris, 1992; Zutell and Fresch, 1991). Proficient spelling requires a high degree of word knowledge
