Spellcheckers are very handy tools, but there are numerous issues I see constantly in student writing that spellcheckers cannot help you find. Therefore, I have instituted a "death list" policy for all informal writing assignments. Making any of these mistakes will result in a "U" on the assignment. Proofread!

• Your/You're
• Their/There/They're
• It's/Its
• Affect/Effect
• Principle/Principal
• Ensure/Insure
• Who's/Whose
• Wear/Where
• Led/Lead
• Lose/Loose
• To/Too

If you are confused about these, look them up. We all make mistakes with these words from time to time, but awareness and diligence can drastically lower the frequency.