1. Root words, prefixes, and suffixes
 General rule: When adding prefixes and suffixes to a root word, do not change
the spelling of the root word.
2. Doubling Rule for one-syllable words
 General rules: You double the final consonant of a root word when you add a
suffix if:
o The root word ends in a single vowel followed by a single consonant-a
work like put or thin
o The suffix begins with a vowel, like –ing, -ed, or –y.
3. Final Silent E rule
 If the root word ends in a final silent e:
o Drop the e when adding suffixes that begin with a vowel-as in caring
o Keep the e when adding suffixes that being with a consonant-as in careful
4. Final Y Rule
 If a root word ends in a consonant and then a y, change y to i, add the suffix
(except those beginning in i).
 If the root words ends in a vowel and y, do not change the y.
5. The I before E rule
 When the vowels i and e are used together, use i before e.
 Except after c
 When sounded like /a/ as in neighbor or weigh
6. Apostrophes in contractions
 Where two words have been joined together
 Where letters from one of the words have been omitted
7. Plurals and singular possessives
 Singular nouns that end in –y
 Final y Rule for making plural nouns
8. Singular and plural possessives:
 Regular Possessives: one dog’s bones, two dogs’ bones, one city’s streets, two
cities’ streets.
 Irregular Possessives: man’s books, men’s books, one deer’s antlers, two deer’s
antlers.
9. Homophone Demons
 Use a mnemonic device to help you remember the spelling easier. Ex: there has
here, they’re says they are; a piece of pie: a pie in a piece.
10. Troublesome endings
 Words that end in –us, -cle are nouns
 Words that end in –ous, -cal are adjectives
11. Dividing words into syllables
 A syllable break often occurs between double letters
 A syllable break often occurs where a prefix or suffix has been added to a root
word