This article describes the basic concepts and terminology of word processing.
Introduction
Word processing is one of the most basic functions of a personal
computer. Even when you're not using a "word processor" such as
Microsoft Word, or Corel WordPerfect, you're performing word processing
tasks. For example, your email program and your database program make
use of word processing functionality.
Basic word processing functions are common to any computer program
that allows you to create, manipulate, and save text. As a result a
common set of iconography and standard keystrokes for word processing
have come into broad use over the years.
Let's examine some of the most basic word processing tasks:
- Creating words, sentences and paragraphs
- Selecting text for manipulation
- Altering font type and size
- Styling text
Creating Words, Sentences and Paragraphs
Using the computer keyboard to input text is essentially the same as
using a typewriter. The most obvious difference is that in addition to
the "shift" key, computer keyboards allow for the use of special
characters with the "alt" or "option" keys. For example, hold down the
"alt" (or "option" on a Macintosh) key and hit the "4" key to type the
¢ symbol.
Computer keyboards also provide shortcuts for specific text
manipulation. As you'll see below, these key combinations allow for
rapid editing and styling of text.
As with a typewriter, the computer keyboard "return" button
signifies a line space. Word processors will interpret a "return" as
the start of a new paragraph and will move the text insertion point
accordingly.
Selecting Text for Manipulation
Word processing programs manipulate text only after it has been
selected. You can either click on text then hold down the mouse button
as you move across the text, or you can double-click to select a word.
You can click the mouse button three times quickly to select an entire
line of text.
Selected text will be highlighted, usually with a yellow or green color like that of a highlighter pen:
Once text is selected, you can manipulate it.
Altering Font Type and Size
Before you perform any other alterations to selected text, you may
wish to alter its font, either by making the type larger or smaller, or
by selecting a different font entirely.
For example, you may wish to keep the text of your article or report
in Times New Roman, but you might want to use Arial for chapter
headings.
The controls for font and size selection are generally found in a button bar near the top of the page like the one shown below.
![computer word processing screen shot]()
Styling Text
Now let's say you want to make the chapter headings show up bolded,
for more emphasis. Using the same button bar, you can apply a "bold"
setting to the selected text.
As shown below, the symbol for bold text is a bolded letterform.
Similarly, italicized text is identified on the button bar with an italicized letterform.
You can also underline text, but this is becoming less
frequent in common usage, because of the proliferation of hypertext
links. Underlined text can be mistaken for a link, which can be
confusing to readers.
This introduction only covers the bare basics, but to find out more about cutting and pasting text, please take a look at the Cutting and Pasting in Microsoft Word article. To find out more about word processing, see the resources listed below. |
