Electronic

Writing Process
Two components:

Composition
Transcription

Managers compose and secretaries

transcribed
Computers and Writing

Saves time
Facilitates transcription of messages
by the authors
Helps you identify, search, record,
organize, and modify relevant text
Helps you write, edit and revise your
document
Writing using a
Computer
Step 1 Note taking

Step 2 Searching

Step 3 Word polishing

Step 4 Outlining

Step 5 Changing defaults

Writing using a
Computer
Step 6 Using multiscreens

Step 7 Searching and replacing

Step 8 Linking

Step 9 Adding attribution

Step 10 Using e-mail

Step -1 Note Taking

Skeletonize your notes

Use abbreviations

Recordthe notes to a file, on your

desktop

Usesearch feature and add the

abbreviations
Step 2 - Searching

Place your research data in a database

Put similar topics under one heading

Later,
while writing, can reference
according to the heading

Careful entry of bibliographic information

Report-writing software
Step 3 Word Polishing
Word processors with built in dictionary

American Heritage Dictionary for Computers

Load stand alone grammar, style and

spell checkers

However, they seldom catch the same errors

One needs to know the rules and then use

checkers

You, however, are the final editor

Step 4 Outlining

May be a separate program or part

of a word processing package

Outlinethoughts quickly, rearrange

sections rapidly, change levels and
so on

Canimport text from other files to

the outliner and vice-versa
Step 5 Changing
Defaults
Before starting, do some setting

Can define a template or the master page

Automatically correct typing errors

Turn on controls for widows and orphans

Edit the Headers

Cancreate alternative templates for reports,

proposals, letters and memos
Step 6 Using
multiscreens
Ifword processor supports division of the
screen into two or more parts, split your
screen and place your outline in one window

Then start drafting your draft in the other

window

Consider creating a fast draft

You do not have to start at the

beginning of your manuscript,
when you are writing a draft
Step 7 Searching and
replacing
Takeadvantage of the search and
replace function of the word
processor

Allowyou to choose between

individual decisions on each
occurrence or an entire text search
and replace
Step 8 Linking
Datacan be transferred to
another program for statistical
analysis and graphical
presentation

Resultof the analysis will find

their way in the manuscript as
you draft and revise

Connect
the data on the spreadsheet to the
manuscript (smart word processor)
Step 9- Adding
Attribution
Add footnotes or endnotes

Latercan add new citations within

the text and other citations will
renumber and reposition
Step 10 Using e-mail

Moved from being a convenience to a

necessity

Muchquicker to deliver, cheaper to send,

and more formal in perception

Howeverin e-mail, we seem to be growing

complacent with errors

Canalso overlap with ethical

and legal considerations
 Step 10 Using e-mail
Announce that part of parking lot will be out of
use for the next 3 days

Congratulate
a subordinate for success and
share the message with the department

Senda message of enquiry to a

company to see if they have job
openings

Senda formal thank you message to

a person who had publicly bestowed
an honour upon you
Desktop Publishing

Usescomputers to design
and prepare camera ready copy

Facilitates
the gathering of
text and non text and then
show the page on a screen
as it would appear when
printed
Desktop Publishing
Multimedia Presentations

Computer programs which combine

graphics, text, colours, animation,
picture blends and dissolves, high-
resolution photos, and sound to
generate dazzling sales pitch and
brilliant proposals
Collaborative Writing

Co-authored text, editing others writings,

worked on the same projects concurrently
Computer and computer networks can
enhance this process
Group-oriented software tracks changes to
files and records who made the changes
Some software permit many participants
at the same time, at multiple locations, at
individual PCs, to brainstorm a topic,
share reactions, make a record of all
comments
Collaborative Writing

All authors are equally competent with the

hardware and software
Each authors contribution can be tracked
Each revision is shown along with the
original, and the author making the
change is identified
Can add comments and questions to other
authors
Work well together and are willing to give
and receive constructive criticism
Meet agreed-upon deadlines