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What do we write?

We often use pens and pencils to write.

We write lots of different things. We might write:

• stories
• reports
• lists
• name labels
• birthday cards

We can also use a computer to write.

Have you ever used a computer to write something?

How do we write using a computer?

We use the keyboard to write using a computer. Pressing the letters types the word we want to use. Pressing the spacebar adds a space. Then we can type our next word.

When we start a new sentence, we need to use a capital letter. We get a capital letter by holding down the shift key and pressing the letter we want.

Some computers allow us to speak what we want to write. The computer listens to what we say and then turns this into words on the screen.

Did you know?

Text keyboards are called QWERTY keyboards.

The name comes from the first six letters of the top row.

QWERTY keyboards were first used on typewriters over 100 years ago.

Why is using a computer to write helpful?

Using a computer to write is very useful. Sometimes computers even tell us when we have spelt a word wrong!

We can:

• delete mistakes and change words
• add extra bits to our writing
• easily edit stories that we have written
• add new words and phrases and find and replace words

We don't need to write the story out again because we can print more than one version.

What software do we need to write on a computer?

People who write on computers use word processing software.

This software allows us to make changes to our writing to make it look more interesting.

When we make changes to our writing it is called formatting.

We can:

• make words bold to stand out
• make words italic
• underline words
• change colours
• change the size
• change the style of the text

Sometimes people use desktop publishing software when they are writing with computers.

Desktop publishing software allows us to add pictures and other interesting things to our writing.

What can we do with our writing when we have finished?

When we finish writing on a computer we can do lots of things with it.

We can:

• print out copies so our teachers, friends and family can read it.
• send it to people so that they can read it on their computer.
• put it on a website for lots of people to read.

How do people type so quickly?

Lots of people learn to touch type. People who can touch type can write on a computer faster than with a pen.

They look at the screen when they are typing, not at the keyboard. This is because they know where all the keys are.

Glossary

Here are the meanings to some important words:

Computer - A device that can follow instructions stored in its memory.
Keyboard - An input device with keys or buttons for letters, numbers and symbols.
Spacebar - The long button on the bottom row of a keyboard.
Shift key - Key on a keyboard which can be pressed to get capital letters.
Screen - A device that shows pictures, text, videos and animations.
Word processing - A type of software application used for composing, editing, formatting and printing documents.
Software - The programs used to control computers and perform specific tasks.
Formatting - Changing the appearance of the text.
Desktop publishing - Creating documents using a page layout software on a personal computer.
Print - A paper copy of information from a computer.
Touch type - Ability to type without looking at the keys on a keyboard.
Website - A collection of connected webpages.

Activities