In most settings, good spelling is essential for effective communication. What's more, erratic or unconventional spelling can often leave a poor impression. Though English spelling can be frustrating at times, most people can become above-average or excellent spellers. Spelling Matters provides a comprehensive, flexible guide for improvement in this skill. It first offers a pre-assessment to identify areas needing particular focus. This serves as a compass to point you to a variety of exercises that effectively reinforce the corresponding lessons until mastery has been acquired. This text is appropriate for a broad range of learners--including high school, college, ESL, and adult educational students--and is adaptable to both individual or private and group or classroom use. Though it focuses largely on commonly misspelled words, it also includes challenging ones often required for more advanced writing. Leavened with a touch of humor, this textbook presents an accessible and highly adaptable approach to mastering the rules of English spelling.