Word Processing for Beginners

                         Information Compiled By J.J. Hutton

Introduction

sometimes used in specialized contexts with a specially modified typewriter." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_processing.

used for the production (including composition, editing, formatting, and possibly printing) of any

sort of printable material." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_processor

you may need a computer, a special program called a word processor, and a printer. A word

processor enables you to create a document, store it electronically on a flashdrive or compact

disc, display it on a screen, modify it by entering commands and characters from the keyboard, and print it on a printer. The great advantage

of word processing over using a typewriter is that you can make changes without retyping the entire document. If you make a typing

mistake, you simply back up the cursor and correct your mistake. If you want to delete a paragraph, you simply remove it, without

leaving a trace. It is equally easy to insert a word, sentence, or paragraph in the middle of a document. Word processors also make

it easy to move sections of text from one place to another within a document, or between documents. When you have made all the

changes you want, you can send the file to a printer to get a hard copy.

Basic Tutorial

Word processors vary considerably, but all word processors support the following basic features:

1. Insert text allows you to insert text anywhere in the document.

2. Delete text allows you to erase characters, words, lines, or pages as easily as you can cross them out on paper.

3. Cut and Paste allow you to remove (cut) a section of text from one place in a document and insert (paste) it somewhere else.

4. Copy allows you to duplicate a section of text.

5. Page Size and Margins allow you to define various page sizes and margins, and the word processor will automatically readjust the

text so that it fits.

6. Search and Replace allow you to direct the word processor to search for a particular word or phrase. You can also direct the

word processor to replace one group of characters with another everywhere that the first group appears.

7. Word Wrap is when the word processor automatically moves to the next line when you have filled one line with text, and it will

readjust text if you change the margins.

8. Print allows you to send a document to a printer to get hardcopy.

Word processors that support only these features (and maybe a few others) are called text editors.

Most word processors, however, support additional features that enable you to manipulate and

format documents in more sophisticated ways. These more advanced word processors are sometimes

called full-featured word processors." http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/word_processing.html

that "the basic functions of word processing are to edit and format text, to create outlines and columns, to generate tables, and

to insert graphics. In order for the computer user to create and embellish documents on the computer, word processing applications

such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, Apple-Works, or Word Perfect are needed.

Basic Functions

These are the essential basics of word processing:

1. Press letter keys on the keyboard to enter words,
2. Press the Delete or Backspace key to "erase entered information.
3. Hold down the Shift key to get a capital letter or the characters above the number and punctuation keys. Press down the Caps Lock key for all capital letters.
4. Use the Space Bar to add spaces between words.
5. Use the Tab key to indent a line or to align columns.
6. Position and click the mouse to insert the cursor and add new information.
7. Drag or double-click the mouse over text to highlight it so it can be changed or deleted.
8. The Enter/Return key is used to move to the next line.

process has five basic functions that begins by either highlighting the text to be edited or inserting the cursor where changes are

needed by deleting a word, sentence, or paragraph, rewriting a word, sentence or paragraph, adding a word, sentence of paragraph,

moving and copying a word, sentence, or paragraph to a new position and pasting." pages 91-93 (Integrating Computer Technology

into the Classroom by Gary R. Morrison and Deborah L. Lowther, 2005)

Popular Word Processing Software Package

gives you the ability to use your home computer as well as your business computer for desktop publishing. There is an informative

tutorial on the web located at: http://www.baycongroup.com/wlesson0.htm. This tutorial teaches Microsoft Word 2007 basics.

Although this tutorial was created for the computer novice, because Microsoft Word 2007 is so different from previous versions of

Microsoft Word, even experienced users may find it useful. This lesson will introduce you to the Word window. You use this window

to interact with Word.

views: Draft, Web Layout, Print Layout, Full Screen Reading, or Online Layout. Draft view is the most frequently used view. You use

Draft view to quickly edit your document. Web Layout view enables you to see your document as it would appear in a browser such as

Internet Explorer. The Print Layout view shows the document as it will look when it is printed. Reading Layout view formats your

screen to make reading your document more comfortable. Outline view displays the document in outline form. You can display headings

without the text. If you move a heading, the accompanying text moves with it.

document layout. You can elect to see these characters on the screen as you type or you can elect to have them remain invisible.

For these lessons, opt to see them onscreen.

Excellent Video Tutorial

you more about word processing than any other learning tool that I have found.'''

Microsoft Word 2007 Tutorial

This lesson acquaints the reader with the features of the 2007 version of Microsoft Word.

This editing and refinement of work section of the tutorial covers typing, using the Backspace key, using the Delete key, inserting

text, bolding, underlining, and italicizing.

The features in Word 2007 can make your work easier, make your documents more attractive, and/or enable you to work more

efficiently. This Microsoft Word lesson teaches you how to open a file, cut, copy, paste, use AutoText, use spell check, use Find

and Replace, change fonts and save your file. All of these features either make your work easier or make your document more

attractive.

When you type information into Microsoft Word, each time you press the Enter key Word creates a new paragraph. You can format

paragraphs. For example, you can indent the first line of a paragraph, you can set the amount of space that separates paragraphs,

and you can align a paragraph left, right, center, or flush with both margins. Styles are a set of formats you can quickly apply to

a paragraph. For example, by applying a style, you can set the font, set the font size, and align a paragraph all at once. In this

lesson, you will learn about the various formats you can apply to a paragraph and about styles.

The first part of this lesson teaches you to bullet and number. After you have completed your document, you may want to share it

with others. One way to share your document is to print and distribute it. However, before you print you may want to add page

numbers and tell Word such things as the page orientation, the paper size, and the margin setting you want to use.

do not have a copy of Word, you can click to download the trial version. Then click to start the tutorial. Lesson 1 begins with

getting familiar with Microsoft Word 2007 for Windows and proceeds with a step by step informative tutorial of this program.

There are other computer applications that may be used for the production of composition or more formally known as document

preparation system, editing, formatting, and possibly printing of any sort of printable material found in OpenOffice.org WriterA

word processor." http://www.baycongroup.com/wlesson0.htm

Word processing makes it so easy to compose and refine a document that results in a polished, professional-looking finished product.

In my opinion, word processing is the best idea since sliced bread!

Informative Sources

More educational information on word processing is found at the following sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_processing -definition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_processor -definition

http://www.teachnet.ie/jfarrell/2004/index.htm is helpful for learning word processing basics

http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/word.htm - more explanatory steps of word processing

http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/techlp/techlp041.shtml -valuable word processing information

http://www.teachit.co.uk/armoore/resource/wordprocessor.htm -more resources for understanding word processing

http://www.2learn.ca/teachertools/Wordprocessing/wpreflections.html -tools of word processing

http://academics.smcvt.edu/cbauer-ramazani/cb/tasks/writonline.htm -how to use word processing

http://www.baycongroup.com/wlesson0.htm -This is one of the best word processing tutorials that I

found.

http://www.openoffice.org/ -You may download free software to practice word processing skills.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/word_processing.html -This site explains more about the basics of

word processing

http://www.teach-ict.net/software/word/word.htm - This site offers video tutorials about word

processing and use of the computer software needed.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/word_processing.html -definition and clear explanation of how to use the basics of word processing

Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom by Gary R. Morrison and Deborah L. Lowther
(2005)