Spell-Check the Spell-Checker

I found it funny reading chapter 6 in O’ Conner’s book. She discusses spell check and how it can be your best friend but worst enemy at the same time. You see, spell check can be great for typos like hte for the which it automatically fits, but it starts to get complicated when words like affect and effect come along.

O’Conner says, “The truth is, your spell-checker needs a spell-checker, and that’s you!”(Pg 130) It is completely true and most of the time I know that I should double check and read through my papers more intensely however that never seems to happen. I merely get too lazy and put way too much of a trust in the good old spell-checker.

We think of spell-check as some high and mighty ultra Mr. right answer however that is not true! It is more of a guideline for us to use. I realized I need to have more confidence in my own spell-checking ability, so that I can catch the spell check when it is wrong. Most importantly I need to use the spell check as a tool and a help but not the final right answer.

Now, after reading this chapter I realize the extreme importance for spell-checking the spell checker!