Styles in Word 2007 for PC

I am just sharing a quick way to create a style in Word 2007. Below are some screen pics I took of when I did it on mine. Hope this helps the few of us that are using a PC and Word 2007. Images are below each step.

I just entered some text into Word.

I selected by highlighting the text and the format box should appear. I chose the font from this format box as well as the size of the font and any other formatting characteristics that you would like (in this case, Bold-14pt.-Verdana font). Still highlighted, I right mouse clicked the highlighted region and moved my cursor to the "Style" option on this menu and then clicked the "Save Selection as a New Quick Style" option.

Once that is clicked, a box to name your quick style will appear. You only have to name the first box since the second box will rename itself once you hit the "OK" button.

After that, you are done and can access your new "Quick Style" in your "Styles" menu under your "Home" bar (the two different pictures below are of an expanded menu and one that is minimized).

Minimized menu ^^

Expanded menu ^^

Hope this help.

The Checklist for Editing

Going with the theme of the other posts, I decided to post a checklist that I found online entitled "How To Edit Your Own Writing (Self-Editing)." Editing my own work can sometimes be a bit difficult and having some form of parameters are helpful. I especially like the checklist that is provided goes into 11-key points.

Creating a template & other blabbity things

I was wondering how do you create a template? I've been putting together a chapbook using MSWord and it is no fun. I had to figure out columns and that awful odd even numbering. It's a headache to add pages and on top of that I'm doing front back printing! Grr. Any suggestions? Programs?

Also, I've been thinking about what Pat's friend asked about violence in writing. Some of my students have written violent things, okay not all of them, just one and a school therapist comes to talk to him/her about twice a month. It's school policy to report any writing or any behavior that is violent, naturally. I talk to this student; give them a lot of extra attention; talk about "general" things. However, I think what happened at Virgina Tech makes me think of Marilyn Manson's quote in Bowling for Columbine. Not a coincidence that Bravo decided to air it this week, hmm? I'm sure you all remember this, but for those of you haven't seen the documentary, Moore asked Manson, "What would you have said to those kids?" As Moore was discussing how this could have been prevented, etc. Manson answered: "Nothing. I would have listened. I would have listened to what they had to say and that's what no one did." Ok, it's not profound or anything, but do you ever feel like people have seriously forgotten how to do in a larger context? Sometimes I feel like my role as a graduate student is not to listen or understand but attack and critique; it's so tiring! Most violent acts seem to stem from one's inability to communicate or rather feeling as if what one is trying to communicate is not getting through. There are a million examples in our community, in the world. What I like about copyediting is that it allows the author/writer to communicate more effectively.

Sorry, I don't have time to proofread this! I know I switch POV!

Template & Writing

While I was watching Pat's powerpoint last week, I was wondering:

1) Who usually chooses the template for the journal? How long has Manoa had the same template for? For other newspapers or journals, will the template change under a new editor or designer? Or is it a component that remains consistent?

2) Do you think years of copyediting (experience as a copyeditor) improves one's own writing? Do you think copyediting just improves one's copyediting skills or does it actually help one become a better writer?