The great advantage of word processing over using a typewriter is that you can make changes without retyping the entire document. If you make a typing mistake, you simply back up the cursor and correct your mistake. If you want to delete a paragraph, you simply remove it, without leaving a trace. It is equally easy to insert a word, sentence, or paragraph in the middle of a document. Word processors also make it easy to move sections of text from one place to another within a document, or between documents. When you have made all the changes you want, you can send the file to a printer to get a hardcopy.

Word processors vary considerably, but all word processors support the following basic features:

• insert text: Allows you to insert text anywhere in the document.
• delete text: Allows you to erase characters, words, lines, or pages as easily as you can cross them out on paper.
• cut and paste: Allows you to remove (cut) a section of text from one place in a document and insert (paste) it somewhere else.
• copy: Allows you to duplicate a section of text.
• page size and margins: Allows you to define various page sizes and margins, and the word processor will automatically readjust the text so that it fits.
• search and replace: Allows you to direct the word processor to search for a particular word or phrase. You can also direct the word processor to replace one group of characters with another everywhere that the first group appears.
• word wrap: The word processor automatically moves to the next line when you have filled one line with text, and it will readjust text if you change the margins.
• print: Allows you to send a document to a printer to get hardcopy.
• graphics: Allows you to embed illustrations and graphs into a document. Some word processors let you create the illustrations within the word processor; others let you insert an illustration produced by a different program.
• headers, footers, and page numbering: Allows you to specify customized headers and footers that the word processor will put at the top and bottom of every page. The word processor automatically keeps track of page numbers so that the correct number appears on each page.
• layout: Allows you to specify different margins within a single document and to specify various methods for indenting paragraphs. 
• spell check: A utility that allows you to check the spelling of words. It will  highlight any words that it does not recognize.
• thesaurus: A built-in thesaurus that allows you to search for synonyms without leaving the word processor.

Students will learn to create, format, edit, save and retrieve, text documents using Open Office software. Students will become familiar with editing tools, drawing tools, and will learn how to insert and manipulate graphics.