Chapter 10Writing and Printing

Documents

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Getting Started

• In this Chapter, you will learn:− How word processing software can improve

your writing and help with formatting documents

− How word processing software provides standard document styles

− About desktop publishing software − About DTP software− About Hardware: Printers

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Can word processing software improve my writing?

• Word processing software provides tools for:– Entering and revising text– Adding graphical elements– Specifying formats– Printing documents

• Use your word processing software to:– Organize your ideas– Clarify your wording

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Can word processing software improve my writing?

• When you type the “raw” text you do not need to press the Enter key except at the end of– titles– paragraphs – bullet points

• Software will word wrap to the next line if you do not press the Enter key

• Tools to improve wording and sentence structure:– Grammar checker to check for grammar errors– Thesaurus to find dynamic synonyms– Spelling checker to check for spelling errors

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Can word processing software improve my writing?

Thesaurus, Grammar and Spelling Checker

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How does word processing software help me format a document?

• You can format one or more characters in a document to change– Text colors– Font: The design or typeface for each text character– Font size: Measured in points with 10 pt. being typical size

• To apply formats, such as bold or italics, use the mouse to select the text, then use the toolbar button, ribbon tool, or menu option to indicate the format you want

• Paragraph format options include margin settings, line spacing, bulleted lists, and alignment

• Style is a set of character and paragraph attributes that you define and name

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How does word processing software provide standard document styles?

• Word processing software offers page format options:– Header text for the top of the page– Footer text for the bottom of the page– Portrait or landscape orientation

• You can change the “look” of a document by using a style sheet or template:– Style sheet or theme is a collection of format settings that

you can apply– Template is a set of formats saved for later use

• You can access predesigned templates that help guide you on the proper style of documents

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How does word processing software provide standard document styles?

Standard Document Styles

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What’s desktop publishing software?

• Desktop publishing software (DTP) provides tools to design and print typeset-quality documents using your PC– Used to collect and incorporate elements into the

publication– Offers great flexibility and precision with the positioning of

graphics and text– Frames are rectangular areas of the page that are then

filled with text or graphics– You can move, resize, and overlap frames

• The appearance of the printed document is affected by the quality of your printer

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Do I need DTP software?

• You might consider DTP if you frequently produce graphics-intensive brochures, magazines, newsletters or books

• Word Processing software can create most of your documents

• After you work with both types of software you can judge which one is appropriate– Word processing has evolved and has many features– For more complex layouts and formatting, you can import

the content into your DTP

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Hardware: Printers

• A printer is a device that converts computer output onto paper or other media− Resolution determines the quality or sharpness

of an image based on the density of the dots that form the image

− Printer resolution is measured in dots per linear inch (dpi)

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Hardware: Printers

• Dot matrix printers− Introduced in late 1970’s and still in use− Prints using a matrix of fine wires− Can print 6 pages per minute− Low quality printing

• Ink jet printer− Nozzle-like print head that sprays ink− Most use CMYK color, which is cyan, magenta, yellow

and black− Can print 12 pages per minute− Excellent resolution

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Hardware: Printers

Ink Jet Printer Laser Printer

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Hardware: Printers

• Laser printers− Use same technology as photocopier to paint dots of

light on a light-sensitive drum− Output can range from 10-40 pages per minute− Duty cycle is specified in pages per month and indicates

how much output you can expect before the printer breaks down

− High quality printing− Accepts commands from a PC using the Printer Control

Language or PostScript language

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What’s the truth got to do with it?

• What do you think?– In your opinion, can people typically recognize false

information in print, on the Web, or on TV?– Have you believed information from a reliable

source that you later discovered was false?– Do you think that governments should penalize

people who knowingly disseminate false information?

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Chapter Summary

• You should now:− Know how word processing software can

improve your writing and help with formatting documents

− Know word processing software provides standard document styles

− Understand desktop publishing software and whether or not you need DTP software

− Understand printers and printer technology