Basic Word Processing Skills

As a freelancer, I'm often asked to pick up projects that other writers have started. I'm always shocked when I come across documents where the writer has obviously not been trained in even the most basic word processor functions.

As professional writers, the word processor is our tool of the trade, our instrument, in much the same way that an extended ruler is a tool of the carpenter, or the piano is the instrument of the pianist. So why do many writers not take the time to learn their instrument? It would be inconceivable that a graphic artist these days not know how to use a graphic design application or illustration software; so why is it still acceptable for a professional writer to be unfamiliar with the basic features of word processing software?

I'm not saying that all writers should be experts in Microsoft Word or other word processing programs, but we should at least know the basics, such as page breaks, setting tabs, using styles, and creating tables of contents. If we're working with revisions, I believe that we should also be familiar with track changes and comments.

For those of us using MS Word, the Microsoft website has some great tutorial programs on the basics of this word processor, as well as its more advanced features. Here are some that I recommend to my students and junior writers:

Get to know Word: Create your first document
Tables I: Create and format basic tables
Format your document with styles
So that's how! Great Word features

Most of the tutorials can be done in about half an hour if you have some familiarity with MS Word, or about an hour if Word is completely new to you. Set aside a 30 minutes time block each week to devote to learning your instrument, and you'll be moving beyond the basics and wowing your clients with your word processing skills in no time!