Introduction to the Scribe Template

Scribe Limited: for writing, editing, proof-reading, lay-up, design and web-copy services

help v.t.. 1. Provide (person etc.) with means towards what is needed or sought, be of use or service to (person, or abs.). 2. n. Action of helping or being helped; person or thing that helps. [OE helpan, = OS helpan,.OHG helfan, ON hjalpa, Goth. hilpan f Gmc *help-, *halp-, *hulp- ].

What is the Scribe Template?

On the surface, Microsoft Word (MSWord) is a pretty simple programme; you type, you hit print, you've got a document. But MSWord provides us with so many options, sometimes it's hard to be consistent in what we do.

The Scribe Template offers a set of preformatted document and page elements that will help you create consistent structure and formatting throughout your documents.

Who is this User Guide For?

This handbook is for people who already have a basic understanding of MSWord and need to create documents longer than four of five pages.

Why Use the Scribe Template?

The Scribe Template will help you in two ways:

Quality: The Scribe Template will help bring consistency to the structure and appearance of your documents. The template provides a set of preformatted document and page elements that produce a consistent look from the start to the finish of each document and across documents.

Speed: The Scribe Template includes many shortcut keys that will enable you to perform repetitive and lengthy text formatting tasks with a few keystrokes. This will save time spent on formatting, giving you more time to spend on perfecting the content of your documents.

How Often Will I Use This Stuff?

The commands described in this book are those you will use every day, some every hour and some every minute. By learning the commands in this book, you will improve the ease and speed with which you work. As you get to know these commands you will merge them with your existing way of operating and develop your own style of working.

How Do I Get the Scribe Template?

Many of the commands described in this book will only work if you have the Scribe Template installed on your computer. When the add-on is installed, the word Scribe will appear on the menu bar at the top of your MSWord screen. If you don't have the Scribe Template, click here.

Where Do I Start?

First, read the topics called Parts of the MSWord Screen and Instruction Format: these describe conventions used in the written instructions presented in this user guide.

Next, read the topic on Styles: this describes a key feature of MSWord that is central to how the software works.

Finally, you will need to read the topic on Displaying Formatting Marks: this describes how to set up MSWord so you can see what's going on in the background of your page.

Note: You can use the next topic >> buttons at the bottom of each screen to work your way through these topics.

Practice and Patience

The skills described in this user guide were learnt over a period of years working with MSWord. It often takes time to change old ways of operating and adopt new ways. You may like to practise each new skill before you move on to a new topic.

What if I Want to Learn More Skills?

This user guide describes the basics of using the Scribe Template. A section at the end of this book (Further Training) shows more advanced topics that are taught in the next part of this training. Topics in this training will help you gain full control over MSWord, including how to set up your computer to make your life easier.

If you would like to learn more skills, click here to contact me.

What if I Get Lost?

Use the contents page to go to specific topics in this user guide. If you need information on a topic that is not covered in this user guide, click here.

What if I Need Help?

If there's anything you don't understand in this user guide, or if you have any trouble with MSWord, click here to contact me and I'll do my best to help.

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