Tip 1: Break it down. Divide long words into syllables and spell each part separately.
Tip 2: Know your roots. Learn Greek and Latin roots — they appear in thousands of English words.
Tip 3: Practice daily. Study 5-10 new words each day rather than cramming 50 words the night before.
Tip 4: Write it out. Writing a word by hand helps lock the spelling into your memory.
Tip 5: Ask for the definition. In competition, always ask for the definition, language of origin, and use in a sentence.