Word processing
Word processingWord Processing
For those who may be a little uncertain as to precisely what word processing entails, the answer can be put in a
nutshell - the most basic word processor is a typewriter. So what is all the fuss about?
A word processor performs all the functions of a typewriter, but also does a great deal more. A word processor
may be an office machine in its own right with a large range of special facilities, but frequently (and certainly for
the situations covered by this book) it will be an ordinary micro operated with a work processing program and
almost essentially provided with a printer. The major difference between the word processor and the typewriter is
that the former has a substantial memory and the ability to display it, so that text which is keyed in (typed) can be
seen before being printed. The text can be corrected on the screen, centred, and words or paragraphs inserted or
deleted, etc. Then the text can be printed off as many times as desired, or one copy can be printed and then
subsequent changes made before more copies are run off.
What can the word processor do for children? When children write by hand they often do a rough outline first,
which is then modified and corrected; the changes involving words, lines or larger items of text. Adults often go
through the same process, producing a rough draft, editing it and then writing it out again.
A word processing program for a micro is provided on tape and loaded from the cassette recorder in the usual
way. ( in some versions the word processing program is available as a special ROM - a chip which has to be fitted
inside the computer; use of a disc drive can also be very advantageous). When the program is loaded, text can be
keyed in through the keyboard (i.e. typed in) and the lines of print appear on the screen as if they were being
typed on paper. He difference is that they can be easily altered as soon as they have been keyed in. Corrections
are made first, usually to modify individual letters or words (corrections to the rough draft). This can be printed off
for consideration or it may just be called up on the screen again. At this point substantial changes may be made,
such as editing any line of text. ( If a word is deleted, the rest of the line moves up to fill the gap; if a word or
letters are to the inserted, the line moves along automatically to create the extra space.) Whole lines can be
inserted or deleted. In some instances whole paragraphs can be moved from one location in the text to another.
Spelling and punctuation can be modified before finalising.
Children can...
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