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Why We Can’t See Our Own (Writing) Mistakes

January 23, 2017 By Susan Kruger, M.Ed.

Why We Can't See Our Own Writing Mistakes


Just a few weeks ago, we ordered some new return address labels. See anything wrong? 

SOAR "Leaning" Return Address Labels

“Brought to you by SOAR ‘Leaning‘!”

About 100 went out before we caught the mistake. Oops!

And, every so often, we publish an email or blog post with a typo or two. Oops!

In our company, we all live and breathe the content we publish. Every single member of our team collaborates to develop our content. (See more about our writing method here.)

But, often, we can’t see our own mistakes. Why?

Because the more familiar our brains are with the content in print, the less we are able to focus on details. It’s how our brains are designed to work. We often cannot see our own writing mistakes.

The Three Cueing Systems of Reading

When we read, our brains use three different cueing systems –all at the same time– to process text.

3 Cueing System of Reading

These cueing systems are called:

  • Visual. This cueing system includes the letters in the text.
  • Syntax. This cueing system is the order of words in a sentence. (Think “Mad Libs®.”)
  • Meaning. This cueing system is the overall meaning of the text. It includes the context of what the topic is about and other information included with the text.

Which Cueing System Do You Think We Use Most Often?

When I ask teachers this question during live workshops, 80% choose the “visual” cueing system. After all, if we can’t SEE the letters, then how would we know what the text says?

They have a sound argument. But, our brains are far more savvy than we realize. For example:

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg. It is the phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid! Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in what order the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig, huh???

Many times, people read the above text fluently before they notice that almost every word is misspelled. This example proves that we don’t rely on the visual cueing system as much as we think!

The Brain: The Original “Energy Star” Machine

Our brain is an electrical organ, filled with billions of neuron wires. Those neuron wires run on electrical power, fueled by brain chemicals.

The section of the brain that translates letters (the “visual cueing system”) is called the “working memory.” It is part of our short-term memory and is located in the front of the brain.

The Front Brain uses MUCH MORE brain power than the Back Brain, where the other two cueing systems are located. To conserve power, our brains automatically default to using the “syntax” and “meaning” cueing systems as often as possible.

When we use phrases like “improving fluency” or “building automaticity” to describe a student’s growing reading skills, we are referring to their increased ability to use the “syntax” and “meaning” cueing systems. In these phases of reading development, the brain is working to transfer most of the workload to the back of the brain.

The Back Brain is far more energy-efficient than the Front Brain. Our brains have naturally been conserving energy for thousands of years before it was fashionable to do so!

When the “syntax” and “meaning” cueing systems lead the reading process, the visual cueing system does minimal work. This natural process explains why we can reread something several times and not notice typos that will be obvious to others. We have very little control over which parts of the brain are activated when we read.

“Typos” Get a Bad Rap

Obviously, no one wants to fill their writing with typos. However, there is a common notion that a typo is a reflection of “poor quality” or “lack of effort.”

In reality, an occasional typo is actually a sign of deeper understanding and familiarity with the text. There is a biological reason why we can’t see our own writing mistakes.

Thank You for Your Help

At SOAR, we invest the time and effort to publish our OWN meaningful, relevant, and useful content. We have nearly 1,000 pages on our website, alone. Our books and software have 10x that volume of content.

And yet, we don’t “outsource” our writing to people in foreign countries, just to boost our search engine rankings. Every member of our team is involved in developing our content… together. (See details here.)

We invest this time because we feel it is important to provide you with real value. We don’t appreciate people wasting our time with junk content. We refuse to do that to you.

But, that also means we’ll have an occasional typo. It doesn’t mean we don’t care about the quality of our work.

On the contrary!

It means we care so much, our brains see the meaning and context of what we publish far more than we see the key strokes that communicate our message. We try to catch our typos before you do. But, we don’t catch them all. We appreciate your help and patience with alerting us to these errors and we take care to fix them right away!

Many thanks,

Susan Kruger Signature

 

 

 

Susan Kruger, M.Ed.
CEO & Founder of SOAR Learning, Inc.


 

Filed Under: Educators Tagged With: cueing systems of reading, literacy

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Testimonials

SOAR Strategies Make Homework Easier

My sons were good students to begin with, but they have used many SOAR strategies to make homework easier for them.

Donna M.
Elementary and Middle School

Comprehensive Coverage of Needs

I have done much research over the last 2 years in an attempt to find just the right thing that I feel would be most beneficial with the at-risk students with whom I work. Though my work with students has been helpful, I have always believed something more concrete that systematically teaches organization and study skills, would be more fruitful for students in the long term. I have concluded, FINALLY, that the SOAR® Study Skills program is the best I have ever seen, offering the most comprehensive coverage of the needs of the students I service. The author provides sound rationale for her approach and plenty of info to answer questions, as the site is easy to navigate. The resources are simple/kid-friendly, illustrating each desired skill. As a teacher, having viewed and used numerous curriculums over the years, I am most excited about this discovery.

Rita L.
School Success Educator

Great to Know I’m Not Alone

I have a child who is bright and enrolled in a very rigorous school, but I realize he does not know how to study properly, manage a longer view of assignments, etc. I recently read your SOAR Study Skills book and subsequently ordered the Homework Help for Parents program. I am a convert! I am also delighted to learn that I am not alone in this battle…

Denise J.
Middle School

Huge Rewards

I see students as well as parents who have been very happy with SOAR®. I can see huge rewards with this program!

Lauri O.
High School

Cornerstone for Study Skills Class

This is very exciting. The SOAR® Binder System and handbook are the cornerstone for my study skills class for all 6th graders at St. John’s. We have had great success!

Valarie B.
Learning Specialist

Good Grades Despite Grueling Schedule

I’m happy to tell you that my daughter is doing splendidly well in school. We’ve gone over your book together. You got her off to a good start with the binder system. I do not check her work or even help her at all. Her teachers have told me that she is a model student. She has been responsible in keeping up with her studies and receiving good grades even though she has had a grueling schedule. Thanks so much for what you do for the students.

Debbie M.
High School

Quick Hits

The information is nice because it comes in “quick hits,” meaning it isn’t overly burdensome to cover; the principle is there, we can employ it almost immediately, and move on to practicing it.

Therese S.
Middle School

Became an A Student

Your program helped me change into an A average student in high school after struggling with C’s and D’s.

Chelsea S.
12th Grade

Feel More In Control

I feel much more in control when I study now because I know exactly what to do. I don’t waste my time staring at my textbook, I take better notes in class, and I am better prepared for each class so when I study for a test, it all comes together.

Katlyn R.
11th Grade

Easier to Stay Organized

I can’t believe how much easier it is for me to keep my papers organized. Since I started using the Binder, I have not lost one assignment! My parents are so excited and I feel so much better about school. Thank you!

Michael Z.
9th Grade

Ideas to Get More Organized

You got us to start talking about ideas to get her more organized. I’m going to order your book and pass the word about your program to the other moms I know.

Heather B.
Middle School

A Lot Smoother

This will make my school year run a lot smoother. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas.

Michelle P.
4th Grade

Focused about Time Management

Kurt is more focused about his time management. The jar of priorities made a big impact on how he uses him time on a daily basis.

Lachele M.
Middle School

SOAR Binder System a Godsend

SOAR has been a Godsend to our family…you have no idea! My son has not lost one assignment or forgotten anything at school since I set him up with your Binder System. You really demonstrated how to simplify the organizational process and I am so grateful to have found something that finally works!

Paul K.
Middle School

Loved the Binder

I loved the binder. What a simple but effective idea!

Jennifer G.
5th Grade

More Organized Now

I like the SOAR® system because the strategies pertain to all students. I have found that even my gifted students have problems with organizations, maybe more so than others. I had a 5th-grader last year who was a “shover,” he could not get papers in the correct folder to save his life. We exchanged his folders for the SOAR® Binder System. He was so relieved to see how simple it could be to organize his papers, he gave me a huge hug! I put another 4th-grader on the Binder System this year. He feels so much more organized now and can find things quickly. I still check in with the organization when we meet during class. I like how he puts everything in the front and then makes time at the end of the day to put in all of his papers where they need to go. I don’t know what these kids would have done without going on the SOAR® Binders. The system is great. They feel better about school – kind of a relief seeing their stuff organized for once! They finally know where everything is! I have a whole third grade that is planning to implement the SOAR® Binder System for their students next year…

Felicia T.
Learning Specialist

Strategic Learning Class Helped Tremendously

My daughter took your live Strategic Learning Class this past Fall. She really REALLY enjoyed your class and told me it helped her tremendously at school.

Mary J.
High School

Book Report Done Early

For this spring’s book report I set a goal to get it done on time and not have to rush. I got it done two weeks early!

Liam S.
6th Grade

Homework Done Faster

Homework is getting done faster and there is much less fighting in our household!

Nancy V.
Elementary and Middle School

Great System

This is a great system! I would like to see my whole school use this. Would you be interested in training my colleagues?

Sarah D.
Middle School

Practical and Easy Tips

Everything is practical and easy to do. Great tips! My son set up a SOAR binder and it is working for him!

Janet C.
Elementary and Middle School

Now Getting As and Bs

I was getting Cs and Ds. Now I am getting As and Bs! I learned how to be organized and how to study…it has made such a difference!

Katie H.
11th Grade

Usable Information

Excellent, usable information!

Lori B.
Middle School

Tips Helped Tremendously

He never planned ahead and it drove me crazy! But, you were right…he did not know how to plan ahead. Your tips for teaching him, or should I say “showing” him how to plan ahead have helped tremendously. I’m not mad at him all of the time anymore…it is a big relief!

Denny M.
High School

Easy to Study For Tests

I am reading and reviewing chapters in my books now. It is really easy and really helps me study for tests.

Keith S.
6th Grade

Everything Grouped in Categories

I liked how everything was grouped in categories and everything kind of set up the next step of SOAR.

Stephanie C.
11th Grade

Why Didn’t Someone Tell Me?

Why didn’t someone tell me about this before?

Stephen G.
8th Grade

Life Is Easier

Life is so much easier!

Holly Z.
9th Grade

SOAR Has Helped So Much

SOAR has definitely helped me so much. My teacher, also would like me to be a Teacher’s Assistant when I’m a senior. I hope others learn as much as I did from SOAR.

Ginny R.
11th Grade

Research Base

I was trying to design a study skills class and did an online search to find some good resources and SOAR® came up. When I looked at the program and how organized it was, it appealed to me! There were other programs out there, and there were things I could have done myself, but because SOAR® has a research base behind it, that is what attracted me to this particular program.

Lori O
High School

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