Mastering Microsoft Word

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Mastering Microsoft Word

• An Autobiography Exercise
• Created by Bill Ernst 2008

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Mastering MS Word
WordArt
The following exercise will introduce you to the
use of Word toolbars. You will create an
autobiographical page featuring text, a picture,
WordArt, Clip Art, AutoShapes, and Fill Color.
Hovering over any toolbar icon will reveal its
function. The Formatting Palette can also be used
to complete this page. Start by selecting the
Standard, Formatting, Drawing toolbars from View
in the top menu bar. Also select the Formatting
Palette, located just above Toolbars in View.
Picture
Rectangle Fill Color
AutoShapes
Text Box
ClipArt
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Mastering MS Word
1) Open Word, and open a new blank document
(File-New Blank Document in top menu bar). You
have options (in the Standard toolbar) to view
your document in smaller or larger sizes. 2)
Select WordArt from the Drawing toolbar and type
in your name. Resize the WordArt by grabbing the
image by its corners. Place at the top of the
document.
WordArt can also be selected in the Formatting
Palette
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Mastering MS Word
3) Select Rectangle from the Drawing toolbar and
create a shape that will be the frame (or
background) for your picture. Color that shape
by choosing the Fill Color tool at the bottom of
the Drawing toolbar. Fill with a color to your
liking. Note To have ultimate control over any
object, highlight it. Select Format-then the
objects name at the bottom of the drop-down
menu. Now select Layout-In front of text-OK.
(see screenshot below) The object can now be
moved anywhere without pushing other objects
around.
Found in Format
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Mastering MS Word
4) Place a picture of yourself (or any other
image you choose) from PhotoBooth or iPhoto on
top of the AutoShape youve created. Resize the
image to your liking. 5) Below the image insert
a Text Box. You will place your writing inside
this area. Insert a Text Box by going to
Insert-Text Box in the top menu bar . Expand the
box to fill the area you wish to fill with your
text. Now write 3-5 facts about yourself. You
may delete (or change) the line around your Text
Box by selecting Format-Text Box-Colors and
Lines.
Lines can be kept, enhanced, or eliminated around
text boxes.
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Mastering MS Word
6) Add a couple of stars to the left and right of
your picture. Select AutoShapes from the Drawing
toolbar. Under Stars and Banners youll find
different star shapes. Click on your desired
shape and click on your document. The star will
appear on your document, and can now be resized
and moved to any location. Fill the star with
color, and copy paste the star to other areas
of your document.
AutoShapes can also be found at the top of the
Formatting Palette
Autoshapes Icon
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Mastering MS Word
Note To move any object, select the object and
hover over the edges of the object until a hand
symbol appears. This will be your clue that you
can now move your object. Resizing is
accomplished by hovering over the edges of your
selected object. A square (with two dark
triangles) will appear. This will be your clue
that you can now resize your object.
Remember, always save your work on a regular
basis.
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Mastering MS Word
7) Add clip art by selecting Clip Art from the
Drawing toolbar. Look through the Clip Art
library and find several pieces of clip art to
insert in your document. Clip Art can also be
added by selecting Insert-Picture-Clip Art using
the top menu bar. Resize and reposition the
images.
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Mastering MS Word
Your final product can be printed, emailed,
updated as needed, or placed into a PowerPoint
presentation. Save your completed document to an
easily remembered location or folder. As an
extension, have your students each complete an
autobiography, and collate them as a Powerpoint
project, or print each autobiography and make a
book.
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Mastering MS Word
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Mastering MS Word