Write A Letter or Report

Everybody likes to get a letter, but most people don't like to write a letter. The computer has made that part of life easier. We can write a letter (or a report) with the computer using a word processor. Your word processor may be Microsoft Word. If you do not have that program, don't go out and buy it. You can download open source software from the Internet. Two good open source word processors are Open Office, and Abiword. Or you can use Google Docs online.

In your word processor, you can format the text (bold, italic, underline, change color, change font, change size). You can add (Insert) pictures.

Take the time to become familiar with the toolbars located at the top and bottom of the screen. Do not be afraid to explore. If you click on the word help in the top row on your page, you will have access to information that explains how the program works. When you point the cursor arrow at different symbols on the toolbars, the highlight will tell you what tool the symbol is a shortcut for.


When you work on a project you should save routinely to protect what you have done so far.
Click file, save as, then a box will open. At that time you can select where the file will be saved and click save.

Letters or papers can be saved and attached to an email. Many believe attachments of this type should be avoided. Saving word documents as .txt or .rtf files makes it easier for more people to open the file. Not everyone has Microsoft Word. Documents saved as .doc files cannot be opened by those people.

When Google Docs is used, your documents can be saved and shared online with others. This is excellent for a student working on reports or school papers. It makes it harder for the dog to eat the homework. Practice makes perfect. Do not be afraid to explore and use some form of word processing.