Chapter 1Resources to Improve Resources to Improve

Vocabulary, Vocabulary, Proofreading, and Proofreading, and

SpellingSpelling

McGraw-Hill/IrwinBusiness English at Work, 3/e © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Objectives

Use a dictionary to answer questions about spelling, syllabication, pronunciation, parts of speech, and definitions.

Use an office reference manual.Select appropriate synonyms for words or

ideas.

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Objectives

Apply proofreading procedures in comparing documents.

Recognize common types of errors that are found in proofreading.

Use proofreaders’ marks to identify changes in the text.

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Objectives

Identify ways to improve your spelling and use of words that you commonly confuse or misuse.

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Error-Free Documents

Do not guess!Use a dictionary, thesaurus, or office

reference manual.Learn how to use online reference

resources.Proofread.

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The Dictionary

Each entry word is bold-faced. Bold-faced dots separate the word into syllables. Pronunciation appears in parentheses after the

entry word. Accent marks indicate primary and secondary

stress on syllables. Abbreviations for parts of speech are in italics. Definitions are given for each part of speech.

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The Dictionary

Other information in dictionaries includes: Word histories—designate the sources of words Status labels—describe words that are no longer

or never were standard English Irregular grammatical forms such as the irregular

forms of the verb sit—sit, sat, sitting Abbreviations of words Synonyms—same meaning Antonyms—opposite meaning

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Office Reference Manual

AbbreviationsBusiness document formatsCapitalization rulesCommonly misspelled and misused wordsGrammar usageNumber usage

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Office Reference Manual

Proofreading and editing hintsPunctuation rulesSpelling rulesWord divisionWritten communication styles

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Other References

Thesaurus Company or

personal guidesheets

Electronic dictionary or thesaurus

• substitute words• parts of speech

• company recommendations

• personal trouble areas

• word selection by user

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Types of Errors

Formatting ErrorsPage numbers, enumerations, agreement of labels

on illustrations and text references, spacingKeyboarding Errors

Transposed letters and figures, errors in typical spots (missing syllables, double letters), zeros in figures

Grammatical UsageCapitalization, punctuation, sentence structure,

slang or trite expressions, overused words, accurate choice of words

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Proofreading Procedures

Alone With Another Person

• Read from right to left.• Read copy word for word.• Decrease your rate of

reading.• Proofread when there is

less noise and activity.• Proofread after a break.

• Have one person read the original; have the second person check the new copy.

• Read all capital letters and marks of punctuation.

• Ask a coworker to proofread your work.

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Electronic Proofreading

Proofread in blocks. Use the spell checker and grammar checker. Check references to page numbers within the text

if you revise or move copy. Visualize the finished product. Add words to your software dictionary. Take frequent breaks to rest your eyes.

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Proofreaders’ Marks

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Spelling Improvement Techniques

Maintain a troublesome words list.Be aware of exceptions to the rules (mispronounced

words or confusing spellings of words).Take advantage of the school’s learning resource

center.Memorize troublesome words.Use mnemonic devices (memory device).

Think of a goose with a feather loose.Study spelling rules.Use a dictionary.

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